Herbicidal ionic liquid with dual functions has been synthesized and characterized (properties, chemical stability and biological activity). 2-Chloroethyltrimethylammonium (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetate prepared in an alkaline environment undergoes the reaction of dehydrochlorination by the E2 mechanism. This may be described as a specific instance of providing third generation ILs with high potential of application, which preserve both pesticidal properties: the herbicidal activity due to their anions and plant growth inhibition effect due to their cations. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Ionic liquids with herbicidal anions (named herbicidal ionic liquids-HILs) were synthesized and characterized. The combination of two active chemicals as the [cation][anion] form in a single moiety reduced the number of additional chemicals required per application. HILs ([cation][MCPA]) exhibited higher biological activity than currently used salts of MCPA, and involved pesticides of a multidirectional activity ([plant growth regulator][MCPA]). Acute toxicity of HILs could be controlled by appropriate selection of cation type. These salts had chemical and thermal stability, and showed substantially lower water solubility than starting herbicides, thus reducing soil and groundwater mobility. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.