Piperazine compounds with a herbicidal action

A method for controlling unwanted vegetation comprising treating a plant, a plant seed, and/or a plant habitat with a herbicidally effective amount of at least one piperazine compound of formula (I)

• or an agriculturally useful salt thereof, wherein:
• R1 and R2
• are, independently of one another, cyano, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, phenyl, phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• phenyl-[C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• phenylheterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• COR21, wherein
• R21 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C3-C6-alkenyloxy, C3-C6-alkynyloxy, amino, C1-C6-alkylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkyl]amino, C3-C6-alkenylamino, C3-C6-alkynylamino, C1-C6-alkylsulfonylamino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, phenyl, phenylamino, phenoxy, naphthyl, or heterocyclyl;
• or
• NR22R23, wherein
• R22 and R23 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, or C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl;
• or
• OR24, wherein
• R24 is C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, phenyl, or phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• SO2R25, wherein
• R15 is C1-C6-alkyl or phenyl;
• wherein, when R1 and R2 are aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituents, said aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof, and
• wherein R1 is optionally hydrogen;
• R3 is a radical R26, OR27, SR28NR29R30, or N(OR31)R32, wherein
• R26, R27, Rj1, Re, and R32 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-haloalkynyl, formyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C3-C6-cycloalkylcarbonyl, C2-C6-alkenylcarbonyl, C2-C6-alkynylcarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxy-(C1-C6)-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl, C2-C6-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C3-C6-alkynyloxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminocarbonyl, C3-C6-alkenylaminocarbonyl, C3-C6-alkynylaminocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl-aminocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]carbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-amino-carbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-aminocarbonyl, di-(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminothiocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxyimino-C1-C6-alkyl, N—(C1-C6-alkylamino)imino-C1-C6-alkyl, N-(di-C1-C6-alkylamino)imino-C1-C6-alkyl or [tri-(C1-C4)-alkyl]silyl, wherein the aliphatic or isocyclic moieties of the substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• phenyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkyl, phenylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, phenoxycarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylsulfonylaminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-N-(phenyl)aminocarbonyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclylcarbonyl, heterocyclylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclylaminocarbonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl-aminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-N-(heterocyclyl)aminocarbonyl, or heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, wherein the phenyl or heterocyclyl moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof, or
• S(O)nR33, wherein
• n is 1 or 2;
• and
• R33 is C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-haloalkyl or phenyl, wherein phenyl is optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof;
• and
• R30 and R31 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, or C2-C6-alkynyl, wherein the aliphatic or isocyclic moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• phenyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclyl, or heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkyl, wherein the phenyl or heterocyclyl moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof;
• R4, R5 and R6
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, or C1-C6-alkoxy, wherein the aliphatic moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• and wherein
• R3 and R4 together are optionally a keto group;
• R7 and R8
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkyl optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• A1 and A2
• are, independently of one another, aryl or heteroaryl, with the proviso that neither A1 nor A2 is indolyl, and wherein Ra is attached in the ortho-position to the point of attachment of A1 to a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom of A1;
• Ra is halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C4-C10-alkadienyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, [tri-(C1-C6)-alkylsilyl]-(C2-C6)-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylthio, C1-C6-alkylsulfinyl, aryl, phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl-(C2-C6)-alkenyl, phenylsulfonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl-[C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• Z1P(O)(OR9)2 or Z2B(OR10)2, wherein
• R9 and R10 are each, independently of one another, hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl and wherein both R10 moieties in Z2B(OR10)2 together optionally define a C2-C4-alkylene chain;
• or
• Z3COR11, wherein
• R11 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C3-C6-alkenyloxy, C3-C6-alkynyloxy, amino, C1-C6-alkylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkyl]amino, C1-C6-alkoxyamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkoxy]amino, C1-C6-alkylsulfonylamino, C1-C6-alkylaminosulfonylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]sulfonylamino, C3-C6-alkenylamino, C3-C6-alkynylamino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, phenyl, phenoxy, phenylamino, naphthyl, or heterocyclyl;
• or
• Z4NR12R13, wherein
• R12 and R13 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C3-C6-cycloalkylcarbonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]carbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl, C5-C6-alkylaminosulfonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]sulfonyl, phenylcarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonylaminocarbonyl, or heterocyclylcarbonyl;
• or
• Z5CH═N—O—R14, wherein R14 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl;
• or
• Z6OR15, wherein
• R15 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl, or phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• Z7SO2R16, wherein R16 is C1-C6-alkyl or phenyl;
• wherein
• Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6 and Z7
• are, independently of one another, a bond, —CH2—, —CH2—CH2—, —O—CH(R17)—, —S—CH(R18)—, —S(O)—CH(R19)—, or —SO2CH(R20)—, wherein R17, R18, R19, and R20 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl;
• and
• wherein, when Ra is an aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituent, said aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituent is optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or is optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof,
• Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen or a substituent as defined in Ra;
• and
• wherein any two of Ra, Rb, or Re attached to adjacent ring atoms of A1 or any two of Rd, Re, or Rf attached to adjacent ring atoms of A2 are optionally straight-chain C3-C6-alkylene optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof, wherein one CH2 group in C3-C6-alkylene is optionally replaced by a carbonyl group, thiocarbonyl group, or sulfonyl group and wherein one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in C3-C6-alkylene are optionally replaced by oxygen, sulfur, or a group NR34, where R34 is a substituent as defined in R12.

A composition comprising a herbicidally effective amount of at least one piperazine compound of formula (I)

• or an agriculturally useful salt thereof, wherein:
• R1 and R2
• are, independently of one another, cyano, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, phenyl, phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• phenyl-[C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• phenylheterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• COR21, wherein
• R21 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C3-C6-alkenyloxy, C3-C6-alkynyloxy, amino, C1-C6-alkylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkyl]amino, C3-C6-alkenylamino, C3-C6-alkynylamino, C1-C6-alkylsulfonylamino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, phenyl, phenylamino, phenoxy, naphthyl, or heterocyclyl;
• or
• NR22R23, wherein
• R22 and R23 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, or C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl;
• or
• OR24, wherein
• R24 is C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, phenyl, or phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• SO2R25, wherein
• R25 is C1-C6-alkyl or phenyl;
• wherein, when R1 and R2 are aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituents, said aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof, and
• wherein R1 is optionally hydrogen;
• R3 is a radical R26, OR27, SR28, NR29R30, or N(OR31)R32, wherein
• R16, R27, R23, R29, and R32 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-haloalkynyl, formyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C3-C6-cycloalkylcarbonyl, C2-C6-alkenylcarbonyl, C2-C6-alkynylcarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxy-(C1-C6)-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl, C2-C6-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C3-C6-alkynyloxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminocarbonyl, C3-C6-alkenylaminocarbonyl, C3-C6-alkynylaminocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl-aminocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]carbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-amino-carbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-aminocarbonyl, di-(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminothiocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxyimino-C1-C6-alkyl, N—(C1-C6-alkylamino)imino-C1-C6-alkyl, N-(di-C1-C6-alkylamino)imino-C1-C6-alkyl or [tri-(C1-C4)-alkyl]silyl, wherein the aliphatic or isocyclic moieties of the substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• phenyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkyl, phenylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, phenoxycarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylsulfonylaminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-N-(phenyl)aminocarbonyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclylcarbonyl, heterocyclylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclylaminocarbonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl-aminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-N-(heterocyclyl)aminocarbonyl, or heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, wherein the phenyl or heterocyclyl moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• S(O)nR33, wherein
• n is 1 or 2;
• and
• R33 is C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-haloalkyl or phenyl, wherein phenyl is optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof;
• and
• R30 and R31 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, or C2-C6-alkynyl, wherein the aliphatic or isocyclic moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• phenyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclyl, or heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkyl, wherein the phenyl or heterocyclyl moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof;
• R4, R5, and R6
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, or C1-C6-alkoxy, wherein the aliphatic moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• and wherein
• R3 and R4 together are optionally a keto group;
• R7 and R8
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkyl optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkylamino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• A1 and A2
• are, independently of one another, aryl or heteroaryl, with the proviso that neither A1 nor A2 is indolyl, and wherein Ra is attached in the ortho-position to the point of attachment of A1 to a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom of A1;
• Ra is halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C4-C60-alkadienyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, [tri-(C1-C6)-alkylsilyl]-(C2-C6)-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylthio, C1-C6-alkylsulfinyl, aryl, phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl-(C2-C6)-alkenyl, phenylsulfonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl-[C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• Z1P(O)(OR9), or Z2B(OR10)2, wherein
• R9 and R10 are each, independently of one another, hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl and wherein both R10 moieties in Z2B(OR10)2 together optionally define a C2-C4-alkylene chain;
• or
• Z3COR11, wherein
• R11 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C3-C6-alkenyloxy, C3-C6-alkynyloxy, amino, C1-C6-alkylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkyl]amino, C1-C6-alkoxyamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkoxy]amino, C1-C6-alkylsulfonylamino, C1-C6-alkylaminosulfonylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]sulfonylamino, C3-C6-alkenylamino, C3-C6-alkynylamino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, phenyl, phenoxy, phenylamino, naphthyl, or heterocyclyl;
• or
• Z4 NR12R13, wherein
• R12 and R13 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C3-C6-cycloalkylcarbonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]carbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminosulfonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]sulfonyl, phenylcarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonylaminocarbonyl, or heterocyclylcarbonyl;
• or
• Z5CH═N—O—R14, wherein R14 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl;
• or
• Z6OR15, wherein
• R15 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl, or phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• Z7SO2R16, wherein R16 is C1-C6-alkyl or phenyl;
• wherein
• Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6, and Z7
• are, independently of one another, a bond, —CH1—, —CH2—CH2—, —O—CH(R17)—, —S—CH(R18)—, —S(O)—CH(R19)—, or —SO2CH(R20)—, wherein R17, R18, R19, and R20 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl;
• and
• wherein, when Ra is an aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituent, said aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituent is optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or is optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof,
• Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen or a substituent as defined in Ra;
• and
• wherein any two of Ra, Rb, or Re attached to adjacent ring atoms of A1 or any two of Rd, Re, or Rf attached to adjacent ring atoms of A2 are optionally straight-chain C3-C6-alkylene optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof, wherein one CH2 group in C3-C6-alkylene is optionally replaced by a carbonyl group, thiocarbonyl group, or sulfonyl group and wherein one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in C3-C6-alkylene are optionally replaced by oxygen, sulfur, or a group NR34, where R34 is a substituent as defined in R12;
• and
• auxiliaries customary for formulating crop protection agents.

A piperazine compound of formula (I)

• or an agriculturally useful salt thereof, wherein:
• R1 and R2
• are, independently of one another, cyano, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, phenyl, phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• phenyl-[C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• phenylheterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• COR21, wherein
• R21 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C3-C6-alkenyloxy, C3-C6-alkynyloxy, amino, C1-C6-alkylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkyl]amino, C3-C6-alkenylamino, C3-C6-alkynylamino, C1-C6-alkylsulfonylamino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, N—(C2-C6-alynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, phenyl, phenylamino, phenoxy, naphthyl, or heterocyclyl;
• or
• NR22R23, wherein
• R22 and R23 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, or C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl;
• or
• OR24, wherein
• R24 is C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, phenyl, or phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• SO2Re, wherein
• R15 is C1-C6-alkyl or phenyl;
• wherein, when R1 and R2 are aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituents, said aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof, and
• wherein R1 is optionally hydrogen;
• R3 is a radical R26, OR27, SR28, NR29R30, or N(OR31)R32 wherein
• R26, R27, R28, R29, and R32 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-haloalkynyl, formyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C3-C6-cycloalkylcarbonyl, C2-C6-alkenylcarbonyl, C2-C6-alkynylcarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxy-(C1-C6)-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl, C2-C6-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C3-C6-alkynyloxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminocarbonyl, C3-C6-alkenylaminocarbonyl, C3-C6-alkynylaminocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl-aminocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]carbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-amino-carbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-aminocarbonyl, di-(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminothiocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxyimino-C1-C6-alkyl, N—(C1-C6-alkylamino)imino-C1-C6-alkyl, N-(di-C1-C6-alkylamino)imino-C1-C6-alkyl or [tri-(C1-C4)-alkylsilyl, wherein the aliphatic or isocyclic moieties of the substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkylamino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• phenyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkyl, phenylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, phenoxycarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylsulfonylaminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-N-(phenyl)aminocarbonyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclylcarbonyl, heterocyclylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclylaminocarbonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl-aminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-N-(heterocyclyl)aminocarbonyl, or heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, wherein the phenyl or heterocyclyl moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• S(O)nR33, wherein
• n is 1 or 2;
• and
• R33 is C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-haloalkyl or phenyl, wherein phenyl is optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof;
• and
• R30 and R31 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, or C2-C6-alkynyl, wherein the aliphatic or isocyclic moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• phenyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclyl, or heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkyl, wherein the phenyl or heterocyclyl moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof;
• R4, R5, and R6
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, or C1-C6-alkoxy, wherein the aliphatic moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• and
• wherein
• R3 and R4 together are optionally a keto group;
• R7 and R8
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkyl optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• A1 and A2
• are, independently of one another, aryl or heteroaryl, with the proviso that neither A1 nor A2 is indolyl, and wherein Ra is attached in the ortho-position to the point of attachment of A1 to a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom of A1;
• Ra is halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl C4-C60-alkadienyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, [tri-(C1-C6)-alkylsilyl]-(C2-C6)-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylthio, C1-C6-alkylsulfinyl, aryl, phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl-(C2-C6)-alkenyl, phenylsulfonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl-[C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• Z1P(O)(OR)2 or Z2B(OR10)2, wherein
• R9 and R10 are each, independently of one another, hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl and wherein both R10 moieties in Z2B(OR10)2 together optionally define a C2-C4-alkylene chain;
• or
• Z3COR11, wherein
• R11 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C3-C6-alkenyloxy, C3-C6-alkynyloxy, amino, C1-C6-alkylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkyl]amino, C1-C6-alkoxyamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkoxy]amino, C1-C6-alkylsulfonylamino, C1-C6-alkylaminosulfonylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]sulfonylamino, C3-C6-alkenylamino, C3-C6-alkynylamino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, phenyl, phenoxy, phenylamino, naphthyl, or heterocyclyl;
• or
• Z4NR12R13, wherein
• R12 and R13 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C3-C6-cycloalkylcarbonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]carbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminosulfonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]sulfonyl, phenylcarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonylaminocarbonyl, or heterocyclylcarbonyl;
• or
• Z5CH═N—O—R14, wherein R14 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl;
• or
• Z6OR15, wherein
• R15 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl, or phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• Z7SO2R16, wherein R16 is C1-C6-alkyl or phenyl;
• wherein
• Z1, Z2, Z1, Z4, Z5, Z6, and Z7
• are, independently of one another, a bond, —CH2—, —CH2—CH2—, —O—CH(R17)—, —S—CH(R18)—, —S(O)—CH(R19)—, or —SO2CH(R20)—, wherein R17, R18, R19, and R20 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl;
• and
• wherein, when Ra is an aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituent, said aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituent is optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or is optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen or a substituent as defined in Ra;
• and
• wherein any two of Ra, Rb, or Rc attached to adjacent ring atoms of A1 or any two of Rd, Re, or Rf attached to adjacent ring atoms of A2 are optionally straight-chain C3-C6-alkylene optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof, wherein one CH2 group in C3-C6-alkylene is optionally replaced by a carbonyl group, thiocarbonyl group, or sulfonyl group and wherein one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in C3-C6-alkylene are optionally replaced by oxygen, sulfur, or a group NR34, where R34 is a substituent as defined in R12;
• with the proviso that compounds of formula (I) and agriculturally useful salts thereof wherein
• A1 and A2 are phenyl;
• R1 is methyl;
• R2 is hydrogen or methyl;
• R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 are hydrogen;
• Ra and Rb are each hydroxyl radicals located in the two ortho-positions of the phenyl ring A1;
• and Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf are hydrogen;
• and
• A1 is phenyl and A2 is 4-imidazolyl or A1 is 4-imidazolyl and A2 is phenyl;
• and
• A1 is phenyl, Ra is chlorine, Rb and Rc are hydrogen, the moiety A2(RdReRd) is o-chlorophenyl, R1 and R2 are methylcarbonyl, and R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are hydrogen;
• are excluded.

A dipeptide of formula (II)

• wherein:
• R1 and R2
• are, independently of one another, cyano, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, phenyl, phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• phenyl-[C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• phenylheterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• COR21, wherein
• R21 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C3-C6-alkenyloxy, C3-C6-alkynyloxy, amino, C1-C6-alkylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkyl]amino, C3-C6-alkenylamino, C3-C6-alkynylamino, C1-C6-alkylsulfonylamino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, phenyl, phenylamino, phenoxy, naphthyl, or heterocyclyl;
• or
• NR22R23, wherein
• R22 and R23 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, or C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl;
• or
• OR24, wherein
• R24 is C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, phenyl, or phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• SO2Re5, wherein
• R25 is C1-C6-alkyl or phenyl;
• wherein, when R1 and R2 are aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituents, said aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof, and
• wherein R1 is optionally hydrogen;
• R3 is a radical R26, OR27, SR28, NR29R30, or N(OR31)R32, wherein
• R26, R27, R28, R29, and R32 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-haloalkynyl, formyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C3-C6-cycloalkylcarbonyl, C2-C6-alkenylcarbonyl, C2-C6-alkynylcarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxy-(C1-C6)-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl, C2-C6-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C3-C6-alkynyloxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminocarbonyl, C3-C6-alkenylaminocarbonyl, C3-C6-alkynylaminocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl-aminocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]carbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-amino-carbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-aminocarbonyl, di-(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminothiocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxyimino-C1-C6-alkyl, N—(C1-C6-alkylamino)imino-C1-C6-alkyl, N-(di-C1-C6-alkylamino)imino-C1-C6-alkyl or [tri-(C1-C4)-alkyl]silyl, wherein the aliphatic or isocyclic moieties of the substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• phenyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkyl, phenylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, phenoxycarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylsulfonylaminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-N-(phenyl)aminocarbonyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclylcarbonyl, heterocyclylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclylaminocarbonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl-aminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-N-(heterocyclyl)aminocarbonyl, or heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, wherein the phenyl or heterocyclyl moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• S(O)nR33, wherein
• n is 1 or 2;
• and
• R33 is C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-haloalkyl or phenyl, wherein phenyl is optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof;
• and
• R30 and R31 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, or C2-C6-alkynyl, wherein the aliphatic or isocyclic moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• phenyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclyl, or heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkyl, wherein the phenyl or heterocyclyl moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof;
• R4, R5, and R6
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, or C1-C6-alkoxy, wherein the aliphatic moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• and wherein
• R3 and R4 together are optionally a keto group;
• R7 and R8
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkyl optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof
• A1 and A2
• are, independently of one another, aryl or heteroaryl, with the proviso that neither A1 nor A2 is indolyl, and wherein Ra is attached in the ortho-position to the point of attachment of A1 to a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom of A1;
• Ra is halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C4-C60-alkadienyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, [tri-(C1-C6-alkylsilyl]-(C2-C6)-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylthio, C1-C6-alkylsulfinyl, aryl, phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl-(C2-C6)-alkenyl, phenylsulfonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, heterocyclyl heterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl-[C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• Z1P(O)(OR9)2 or Z2B(OR10)2, wherein
• R9 and R10 are each, independently of one another, hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl and wherein both R10 moieties in Z2B(OR10)2 together optionally define a C2-C4-alkylene chain;
• or
• Z3COR11, wherein
• R11 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C3-C6-alkenyloxy, C3-C6-alkynyloxy, amino, C1-C6-alkylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkyl]amino, C1-C6-alkoxyamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkoxy]amino, C1-C6-alkylsulfonylamino, C1-C6-alkylaminosulfonylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]sulfonylamino, C3-C6-alkenylamino, C3-C6-alkynylamino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, phenyl, phenoxy, phenylamino, naphthyl, or heterocyclyl;
• or
• Z4NR12R13 wherein
• R12 and R13 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C3-C6-cycloalkylcarbonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]carbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, C1-C6-alkysulfonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminosulfonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]sulfonyl, phenylcarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonylaminocarbonyl, or heterocyclylcarbonyl;
• or
• Z5CH═N—O—R14, wherein R14 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl;
• or
• Z6OR15, wherein
• R15 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl, or phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• Z7SO2R16, wherein R16 is C1-C6-alkyl or phenyl;
• wherein
• Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, A6, and Z7
• are, independently of one another, a bond, —CH2—, —CH2—CH2—, —O—CH(R17)—, —S—CH(R8)—, —S(O)—CH(R19)—, or —SO2CH(R20)—, wherein R17, R18, R19, and R20 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl;
• and
• wherein, when Ra is an aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituent, said aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituent is optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or is optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen or a substituent as defined in Ra;
• and
• wherein any two of Ra, Rb, or Rc attached to adjacent ring atoms of A1 or any two of Rd, Re, or Rf attached to adjacent ring atoms of A2 are optionally straight-chain C3-C6-alkylene optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof, wherein one CH2 group in C3-C6-alkylene is optionally replaced by a carbonyl group, thiocarbonyl group, or sulfonyl group and wherein one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in C3-C6-alkylene are optionally replaced by oxygen, sulfur, or a group NR34, where R34 is a substituent as defined in R12;
• and ORx is a leaving group attached via an oxygen atom.

A dipeptide of formula (VI)

• wherein:
• R1 and R2
• are, independently of one another, cyano, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, phenyl, phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• phenyl-[C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• phenylheterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• COR21, wherein
• R21 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C3-C6-alkenyloxy, C3-C6-alkynyloxy, amino, C1-C6-alkylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkyl]amino, C3-C6-alkenylamino, C3-C6-alkynylamino, C1-C6-alkylsulfonylamino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, phenyl, phenylamino, phenoxy, naphthyl, or heterocyclyl;
• or
• NR22R23, wherein
• R22 and R23 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, or C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl;
• or
• OR24, wherein
• R24 is C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, phenyl, or phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• SO2R25, wherein
• R25 is C1-C6-alkyl or phenyl;
• wherein, when R1 and R2 are aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituents, said aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof, and
• wherein R1 is optionally hydrogen;
• R3 is a radical R26, OR27SR28, NR29R30, or N(OR31)R32, wherein
• R26, R27, R28, R29, and R32 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-haloalkynyl, formyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C3-C6-cycloalkylcarbonyl, C2-C6-alkenylcarbonyl, C2-C6-alkynylcarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxy-(C1-C6)-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl, C2-C6-alkenyloxycarbonyl, C3-C6-alkynyloxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminocarbonyl, C3-C6-alkenylaminocarbonyl, C3-C6-alkynylaminocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl-aminocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]carbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-amino-carbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-aminocarbonyl, N—(C3-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-aminocarbonyl, di-(C1-C6-alkyl)-aminothiocarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxyimino-C1-C6-alkyl, N—(C1-C6-alkylamino)imino-C1-C6-alkyl, N-(di-C1-C6-alkylamino)imino-C1-C6-alkyl or [tri-(C1-C4)-alkyl]silyl, wherein the aliphatic or isocyclic moieties of the substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkyl-aminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• phenyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkyl, phenylcarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, phenoxycarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylsulfonylaminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-N-(phenyl)aminocarbonyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclylcarbonyl, heterocyclylcarbonyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclylaminocarbonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl-aminocarbonyl, N—(C1-C6-alkyl)-N-(heterocyclyl)aminocarbonyl, or heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, wherein the phenyl or heterocyclyl moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• S(O)nR33, wherein
• n is l or 2;
• and
• R33 is C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-haloalkyl or phenyl, wherein phenyl is optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof;
• and
• R30 and R31 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, or C2-C6-alkynyl, wherein the aliphatic or isocyclic moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• or
• phenyl, phenyl-C1-C6-alkyl, heterocyclyl, or heterocyclyl-C1-C6-alkyl, wherein the phenyl or heterocyclyl moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with nitro, cyano, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkoxy, or combinations thereof,
• R4, R5, and R6
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, or C1-C6-alkoxy, wherein the aliphatic moieties of these substituents are optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or are optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• and wherein
• R3 and R4 together are optionally a keto group;
• R7 and R8
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkyl optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• A1 and A2
• are, independently of one another, aryl or heteroaryl, with the proviso that neither A1 nor A2 is indolyl, and wherein Ra is attached in the ortho-position to the point of attachment of A1 to a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom of A1;
• Ra is halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-C6-alkyl C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C4-C60-alkadienyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, [tri-(C1-C6)-alkylsilyl]-(C2-C6)-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylthio, C1-C6-alkylsulfinyl, aryl, phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl-(C2-C6)-alkenyl, phenylsulfonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl-[C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• Z1P(O)(OR9)2 or Z2B(OR10)2, wherein
• R9 and R10 are each, independently of one another, hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl and wherein both R10 moieties in Z2B(OR10)2 together optionally define a C2-C4-alkylene chain;
• or
• Z1COR11, wherein
• R11 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C2-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C3-C6-alkenyloxy, C3-C6-alkynyloxy, amino, C1-C6-alkylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkyl]amino, C1-C6-alkoxyamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkoxy]amino, C1-C6-alkylsulfonylamino, C1-C6-alkylaminosulfonylamino, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]sulfonylamino, C3-C6-alkenylamino, C3-C6-alkynylamino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkylamino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)-N—(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkenyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, N—(C2-C6-alkynyl)-N—(C1-C6-alkoxy)amino, phenyl, phenoxy, phenylamino, naphthyl, or heterocyclyl;
• or
• Z4NR12R13 wherein
• R12 and R13 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C3-C6-cycloalkylcarbonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]carbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, C1-C6-alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6-alkylaminosulfonyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkylamino]sulfonyl, phenylcarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, phenylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonylaminocarbonyl, or heterocyclylcarbonyl;
• or
• Z5CH═N—O—R14, wherein R14 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl;
• or
• Z6OR15, wherein
• R15 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C3-C6-alkenyl, C3-C6-cycloalkenyl, C3-C6-alkynyl, C3-C6-cycloalkynyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl, [di-(C1-C6)-alkoxycarbonyl]-(C1-C6)-alkyl, phenyl, or phenyl-(C1-C6)-alkyl;
• or
• Z7SO2R16, wherein R16 is C1-C6-alkyl or phenyl;
• wherein
• Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6 and Z7
• are, independently of one another, a bond, —CH2—, —CH2—CH2—, —O—CH(R17)—, —S—CH(R18)—, —S(O)—CH(R19)—, or —SO2CH(R20)—, wherein R17, R18, R19, and R20 are, independently of one another, hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl;
• and
• wherein, when Ra is an aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituent, said aliphatic, cyclic, or aromatic substituent is optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or is optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof;
• Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf
• are, independently of one another, hydrogen or a substituent as defined in Ra;
• and
• wherein any two of Ra, Rb, or Rc attached to adjacent ring atoms of A1 or any two of Rd, Re, or Rf attached to adjacent ring atoms of A2 are optionally straight-chain C3-C6-alkylene optionally partially or fully halogenated and/or optionally mono-, di, or tri-substituted with cyano, hydroxyl, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]amino, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C4-alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylaminocarbonyl, [di-(C1-C4)-alkyl]aminocarbonyl, C1-C4-alkylcarbonyloxy, or combinations thereof, wherein one CH2 group in C3-C6-alkylene is optionally replaced by a carbonyl group, thiocarbonyl group, or sulfonyl group and wherein one or two non-adjacent CH2 groups in C3-C6-alkylene are optionally replaced by oxygen, sulfur, or a group NR34, where R34 is a substituent as defined in R12;
• and
• ORx is a leaving group attached via an oxygen atom.