Pyridine Compounds For Combating Arthropod Pests and Nematodes

A composition for combating pests, selected from arthropods and nematodes, which comprises a pesticidally effective amount of at least one pyridine compound of the general formula I

• wherein n is 1 or 2,
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl may be unsubstituted or may be partially or fully halogenated or carry a radical Ra selected from OH, CN, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl, NH2, NH—C1-C4-alkyl, N(C1-C4-alkyl)2, —C(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —C(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —C(O)—O—C1-C4-alkyl, C(O)NH2, —C(O)—NH—C1-C4-alkyl
• and —C(O)—N—(C1-C4-alkyl)2 and wherein phenyl and the phenyl ring in phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals selected from halogen, C1-C4-haloalkyl, NO2 and radicals Ra,
• or R1 is a radical of the formula C(O)—R5;
• R2 is hydrogen or C1-C4-alkyl,
• R3, R4 are selected independently of one another from H, halogen, CN, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl,
• S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl;
• and
• R5 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C2-C4-haloalkenyl, C2-C4-haloalkynyl, wherein C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl and C1-C6-alkoxy, may be unsubstituted or may carry a radical Rb which is selected from selected from OH, CN, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, NH2, NH—C1-C4-alkyl, N(C1-C4-alkyl)2, —C(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —C(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —C(O)—O—C1-C4-alkyl, C(O)NH2, —C(O)—NH—C1-C4-alkyl and —C(O)—N—(C1-C4-alkyl)2,
• R5 may also be O—R6, NR7R8, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, aryl, hetaryl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, aryl-C1-C4-alkyl and hetaryl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein cycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl in the six last mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Rc, selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, O—R9, S(O)kR10, NR11—C(O)—R12, NR13—SO2—R14, —C(O)—R15, —C(O)—O—R16, —NR17R18, —C(O)—NR19R20 and —S(O)2—NR21R22, it being possible for two radicals Rc which are bound to adjacent carbon atoms to form a C3-C6 alkylen moiety or a
• O—(C1-C4-alkylene)-O moiety, wherein the hydrogen atoms of alkylene may be replaced by halogen atoms;
• k is 0, 1 or 2,
• R6, R9R10, R14 independently of each other are C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C4-alkenyl, C3-C4-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein phenyl in the last two mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Rd, where Rd is selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy and C1-C4-haloalkoxy,
• R7, R8, R11, R13, R17, R18, R19, R20, R21, R22 independently of each other are selected from hydrogen and C1-C4-alkyl, C3-C4-alkenyl and C3-C4-alkynyl,
• R12, R15, R16 independently of each other are selected from hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkenyl, C3-C4-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein phenyl in the last two mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Re, where Re is selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy and C1-C4-haloalkoxy;
• the pyridine-N-oxides of I and the salts thereof,
• or a salt thereof and at least one inert carrier and/or at least one surfactant.

A method for combating pests, selected from arthropods and nematodes, which comprises contacting said pests, their habitat, breeding ground, food supply, plant, seed, soil, area, material or environment in which the animal pests are growing or may grow, or the materials, plants, seeds, soils, surfaces or spaces to be protected from an attack of or infestation by said pest, with a pesticidally effective amount of a pyridine compound of the general formulae I or II or a pyridine-N-oxide thereof

• wherein n is 1 or 2,
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl may be unsubstituted or may be partially or fully halogenated or carry a radical Ra selected from OH, CN, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl, NH2, NH—C1-C4-alkyl, N(C1-C4-alkyl)2, —C(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —C(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —C(O)—O—C1-C4-alkyl, C(O)NH2, —C(O)—NH—C1-C4-alkyl
• and —C(O)—N—(C1-C4-alkyl)2 and wherein phenyl and the phenyl ring in phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals selected from halogen, C1-C4-haloalkyl, NO2 and radicals Ra,
• or R1 is a radical of the formula C(O)—R5;
• R2 is hydrogen or C1-C4-alkyl,
• R3, R4 are selected independently of one another from H, halogen, CN, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl,
• S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl;
• and
• R5 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C2-C4-haloalkenyl, C2-C4-haloalkynyl, wherein C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl and C1-C6-alkoxy, may be unsubstituted or may carry a radical Rb which is selected from selected from OH, CN, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl, NH2, NH—C1-C4-alkyl, N(C1-C4-alkyl)2, —C(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —C(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —C(O)—O—C1-C4-alkyl, C(O)NH2, —C(O)—NH—C1-C4-alkyl and —C(O)—N—(C1-C4-alkyl)2,
• R5 may also be O—R6, NR7R8, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, aryl, hetaryl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, aryl-C1-C4-alkyl and hetaryl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein cycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl in the six last mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Rc, selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, O—R9, S(O)kR10, NR11—C(O)—R12, NR13—SO2—R14, —C(O)—R15, —C(O)—O—R16, —NR17R18, —C(O)—NR19R20 and —S(O)2—NR21R22, it being possible for two radicals Rc which are bound to adjacent carbon atoms to form a C3-C6 alkylen moiety or a
• O—(C1-C4-alkylene)-O moiety, wherein the hydrogen atoms of alkylene may be replaced by halogen atoms;
• k is 0, 1 or 2,
• R6, R9R10, R14 independently of each other are C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C4-alkenyl, C3-C4-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein phenyl in the last two mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Rd, where Rd is selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy and C1-C4-haloalkoxy;
• R7, R8, R11, R13, R17, R18, R19, R20, R21, R22 independently of each other are selected from hydrogen and C1-C4-alkyl, C3-C4-alkenyl and C3-C4-alkynyl;
• R12, R15, R16 independently of each other are selected from hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C4-alkynyl, C3-C4-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein phenyl in the last two mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Re, where Re is selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy and C1-C4-haloalkoxy;
• the pyridine-N-oxides and the salts thereof.

A method for protecting crops from attack or infestation by pests, selected from arthropods and nematodes, the method comprising contacting a crop with a pesticidally effective amount of at least one pyridine compound of the general formulae I.

• wherein n is 1 or 2,
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl may be unsubstituted or may be partially or fully halogenated or carry a radical Ra selected from OH, CN, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl, NH2, NH—C1-C4-alkyl, N(C1-C4-alkyl)2, —C(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —C(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —C(O)—O—C1-C4-alkyl, C(O)NH2, —C(O)—NH—C1-C4-alkyl
• and —C(O)—N—(C1-C4-alkyl)2 and wherein phenyl and the phenyl ring in phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals selected from halogen, C1-C4-haloalkyl, NO2 and radicals Ra,
• or R1 is a radical of the formula C(O)—R5;
• R2 is hydrogen or C1-4-alkyl
• R3, R4 are selected independently of one another from H, halogen, CN, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl;
• and
• R5 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C2-C4-haloalkenyl, C2-C4-haloalkynyl, wherein C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl and C1-C6-alkoxy, may be unsubstituted or may carry a radical Rb which is selected from selected from OH, CN, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl, NH2, NH—C1-C4-alkyl, N(C1-C4-alkyl)2, —C(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —C(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —C(O)—O—C1-C4-alkyl, C(O)NH2—C(O)—NH—C1-C4-alkyl and —C(O)—N—(C1-C4-alkyl)2,
• R5 may also be O—R6, NR7R8, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, aryl, hetaryl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, aryl-C1-C4-alkyl and hetaryl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein cycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl in the six last mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Rc, selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, O—R9, S(O)kR10, NR11—C(O—R12, NR13—SO2—R14, —C(O)—R15, —C(O)—O—R16, —NR17R18, —C(O)—NR19R20 and —S(O)—NR21R22, it being possible for two radicals Rc which are bound to adjacent carbon atoms to form a C3-C6 alkylen moiety or a
• O—(C1-C4-alkylene)-O moiety, wherein the hydrogen atoms of alkylene may be replaced by halogen atoms;
• k is 0, 1 or 2;
• R6, R9R10, R14 independently of each other are C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C4-alkenyl, C3-C4-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein phenyl in the last two mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Rd, where Rd is selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy and C1-C4 haloalkoxy;
• R7, R8, R11, R13, R17, R18, R19, R20, R21, R22 independently of each other are selected from hydrogen and C1-C4-alkyl, C3-C4-alkenyl and C3-C4-alkynyl;
• R12, R15, R16 independently of each other are selected from hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C4-alkenyl, C3-C4-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein phenyl in the last two mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Re, where Re is selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy and C1-C4-haloalkoxy,
• the pyridine-N-oxides and the salts thereof.

A method for protecting seeds from infestation by pests, selected from arthropods and nematodes, the method comprising contacting a crop with a pesticidally effective amount of at least one pyridine compound of the general formulae I or II

• wherein n is 1 or 2,
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl may be unsubstituted or may be partially or fully halogenated or carry a radical Ra selected from OH, CN, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl, NH2, NH—C1-C4-alkyl, N(C1-C4-alkyl)2, —C(C1-C4-alkyl, —C(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —C(O)—O—C1-C4-alkyl, C(O)NH2, —C(O)—NH—C1-C4-alkyl
• and —C(O)—N—(C1-C4-alkyl) and wherein phenyl and the phenyl ring in phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals selected from halogen, C1-C4-haloalkyl, NO2 and radicals Ra,
• or R1 is a radical of the formula C(O)—R5;
• R2 is hydrogen or C1-C4-alkyl,
• R3, R4 are selected independently of one another from H, halogen, CN, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl,
• S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl;
• and
• R5 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C2-C4-haloalkenyl, C2-C4-haloalkynyl, wherein C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl and C1-C6-alkoxy, may be unsubstituted or may carry a radical Rb which is selected from selected from OH, CN, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl, NH2, NH—C1-C4-alkyl, N(C1-C4-alkyl)2, —C(C1-C4-alkyl, —C(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —C(O)—O—C1-C4-alkyl, C(O)NH2, —C(O)—NH—C1-C4-alkyl and —C(O)—N—(C1-C4-alkyl)2,
• R5 may also be O—R, NR7R8, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, aryl, hetaryl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, aryl-C1-C4-alkyl and hetaryl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein cycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl in the six last mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Rc, selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, O—R9, S(O)kR10, NR11—C(O)—R12, NR13—SO2—R14, —C(O)—R15, —C(O)—O—R16, —NR17R18, —C(O)—NR19R20 and —S(O)—NR21R22, it being possible for two radicals Rc which are bound to adjacent carbon atoms to form a C3-C6alkylen moiety or a
• O—(C1-C4-alkylene)-O moiety, wherein the hydrogen atoms of alkylene may be replaced by halogen atoms;
• k is 0, 1 or 2;
• R6, R9R10, R14 independently of each other are C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C4-alkenyl, C3-C4-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein phenyl in the last two mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Rd, where Rd is selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy and C1-C4-haloalkoxy;
• R7, R8, R11, R13, R17, R18, R19, R20, R21, R22 independently of each other are selected from hydrogen and C1-C4-alkyl, C3-C4-alkenyl and C3-C4-alkynyl,
• R12, R15, R16 independently of each other are selected from hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C4-alkenyl, C3-C4-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein phenyl in the last two mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Re, where Re is selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy and C1-C4-haloalkoxy,
• the pyridine-N-oxides and the salts thereof.

A method for protecting non-living materials from attack or infestation by pests, selected from arthropods and nematodes, the method comprising contacting the non-living material with a pesticidally effective amount of at least one pyridine compound of formulae I or II

• wherein n is 1 or 2,
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C1-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl may be unsubstituted or may be partially or fully halogenated or carry a radical Ra selected from OH, CN, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl, NH2, NH—C1-C4-alkyl, N(C1-C4-alkyl)2, —C(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —C(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —C(O)—O—C1-C4-alkyl, C(O)NH2, —C(O)—NH—C1-C4-alkyl
• and —C(O)—N—(C1-C4-alkyl)2 and wherein phenyl and the phenyl ring in phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals selected from halogen, C1-C4-haloalkyl, NO2 and radicals Ra,
• or R1 is a radical of the formula C(O)—R5;
• R2 is hydrogen or C1-4-alkyl;
• R3, R4 are selected independently of one another from H, halogen, CN, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl;
• and
• R5 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C2-C4-haloalkenyl, C2-C4-haloalkynyl, wherein C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl and C1-C6-alkoxy, may be unsubstituted or may carry a radical Rb which is selected from selected from OH, CN, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl, NH2, NH—C1-C4-alkyl, N(C1-C4-alkyl)2, —C(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, —C(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —C(O)—O—C1-C4-alkyl, C(O)NH2, —C(O)—NH—C1-C4-alkyl and —C(O)—N—(C1-C4-alkyl)2,
• R5 may also be O—R6, NR7R8, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, aryl, hetaryl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, aryl-C1-C4-alkyl and hetaryl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein cycloalkyl, aryl and hetaryl in the six last mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Rc, selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, O—R9, S(O)kR10, NR11—C(O)—R12, NR13—SO2—R14, —C(O)—R15, —C(O)—O—R16, —NR17R18, —C(O)—NR19R20 and —S(O)2—NR21R22, it being possible for two radicals Rc which are bound to adjacent carbon atoms to form a C3-C6 alkylen moiety or a
• O—(C1-C4-alkylene)-O moiety, wherein the hydrogen atoms of alkylene may be replaced by halogen atoms;
• k is 0, 1 or 2;
• R6, R9R10, R14 independently of each other are C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C4-alkenyl, C3-C4-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein phenyl in the last two mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Rd, where Rd is selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy and C1-C4-haloalkoxy;
• R7, R8, R11R13, R17, R18, R19, R20, R21, R22 independently of each other are selected from hydrogen and C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkenyl and C1-C4-alkynyl;
• R12, R15, R16 independently of each other are selected from hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C4-alkenyl, C3-C4-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl-C1-C4-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, wherein phenyl in the last two mentioned radicals may be unsubstituted or may carry 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 radicals Re, where Re is selected from halogen, OH, CN, NO2, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy and C1-C4-haloalkoxy;
• the pyridine-N-oxides and the salts thereof.

A compound of the general formula Ia

• wherein
• R2a is C1-C4-alkyl;
• R3a, R4a are selected independently of one another from H, halogen, CN, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, —S—C1-C4-alkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-alkyl, S(O)2—C1-C4-alkyl, —S—C1-C4-haloalkyl, —S(O)—C1-C4-haloalkyl, S(O)2—C1-C4-haloalkyl;
• and
• the pyridine N-oxide and the salts thereof.