Herbicidal and fungistatic properties of fluorine analogs of phenoxyacetic herbicides

Aryloxy fluoroacetic acids 3a-3h fluorine analogs of phenoxyacetic herbicides 2,4-D, MCPA, 2,4,5-T, and 4-CPA were efficiently synthesized in 29-88% yield, using appropriate phenols and either bromodifluoro- or bromofluoroacetic acid in the presence of sodium hydride as a base and in either dioxane or THE as solvents. Fluorine derivatives of 2,4-D (3a, 3b) show herbicidal activity against three weed species. Parent herbicides 2,4-D, MCPA, 2,4,5-T, 4-CPA, monofluorine derivatives of MCPA (3d) and 2,4,5-T (3f) show fungistatic activity against phytopatogenic fungi species Phytophtora cactorum.