The present invention provides herbicidal-N-(3-amino 2,4-dinitro-6-trifluoromethylphenyl)-pyrrolidones having the formula: ##STR1## where X is oxygen or sulfur, and R, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are selected from among H or lower alkyl, of up to 4 carbon atoms. The compounds of this invention are prepared by reacting a 2,4-dihalo-3,5-dinitrobenzotrifluoride with an amine, followed by condensation of the amino intermediate with the alkali metal salt of a pyrrolidone. The N-(substituted-phenyl)-pyrrolidones described herein show good herbicidal activity, particularly pre-emergence activity against Japanese millet and crabgrass.