Certain 3-alkoxyisothiazole-4-carboxylic acids and derivatives thereof

A compound of the formula ##STR9## wherein Y is an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms;

• a cycloalkyl group of 3 to 8 carbon atoms;
• a benzyl group;
• a halogen-, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl-, or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkoxy-substituted benzyl group;
• a carbalkoxyalkyl group of up to 12 carbon atoms;
• a dialkylaminoalkyl group of up to 12 carbon atoms;
• a haloalkyl group of up to 12 carbon atoms;
• an alkoxyalkyl group of up to 12 carbon atoms;
• an alkylthio alkyl group of up to 12 carbon atoms;
• an alkenyl group of up to 12 carbon atoms;
• or an alkynyl group of up to 12 carbon atoms;
• Z is a cyano group, a carboxy group, a carbalkoxy group of up to 8 carbon atoms, or carbamoyl group;
• and
• Z' is hydrogen, halogen or a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl group;
• and the salts thereof with a strong acid.