Selective Herbicidal Compounds for Crop Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current herbicides are not effective enough in reducing food crop losses due to disease, insects, and weeds, with over 40% of crops lost before harvest and increasing losses since the mid-1990s, and existing compounds lack selectivity between target and non-target plant species.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel herbicidal compounds of specific formulas that are more active and selective, comprising bicyclic or monocyclic heterocycloalkyl and heteroaryl groups, which are designed to effectively control weeds while minimizing harm to crops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing herbicide compounds are used, then weed control is achieved, but the herbicidal activity is not sufficient and crop losses continue to increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of existing herbicide compounds by changing parameters such as replacing hydrogen atoms with fluorine or chlorine, adding methoxy groups, or modifying the core aromatic ring structure. These parameter changes in molecular composition and structure result in compounds with enhanced herbicidal activity that more effectively control weeds and reduce crop losses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite herbicide molecules by combining different functional groups and structural elements (e.g., coupling benzoylurea moieties with specific heterocyclic rings, or combining electron-withdrawing groups with electron-donating groups). These composite structures produce synergistic effects that enhance overall herbicidal activity beyond what individual components achieve alone
2Reliability
If existing herbicide compounds are used, then weed control is achieved, but selectivity between target and non-target plant species is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific local structural features into the herbicide molecules, such as placing particular substituent groups at specific positions on the aromatic ring or incorporating specific heteroatoms at defined locations. These localized structural modifications create molecules that selectively bind to weed enzymes while avoiding crop plant targets, thereby achieving differential toxicity and improved selectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the herbicide molecule into distinct functional segments with specific roles: a core aromatic segment for target recognition, substituent segments for selective binding, and functional group segments for metabolic interaction. This segmentation allows each part to contribute to selectivity, enabling the molecule to differentiate between weed and crop plant targets
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to compounds which are of use in the field of agriculture as herbicides. The invention also relates to methods of using said compounds and compositions comprising said compounds.