.alpha.-Trichloromethyl thenyl phenylethers and sulfides

#The present invention relates to novel thenyl derivatives and to methods for their preparation. The compounds of this invention are useful as biodegradable insecticides and molluscides.

#The trichloromethyl thenyls of the present invention are improved insecticides and molluscides which are biodegradable and exhibit low mammalian toxicity. Such compounds are represented by the formula ##STR2## where X and Y are selected from the group of hydrogen, halo, lower alkyl and lower alkoxy; and R is selected from the group of oxygen, sulfur and sulfone.

#As used herein, the term "halo" means halogens, as illustrated by, but not limited to chlorine, bromine, iodine and fluorine.

#The following examples will serve to illustrate the preparation of the novel .alpha.-trichloromethyl thenyl anilines, phenylether, sulfide and sulfones used as biodegradable insecticides and molluscides.

#A solution of 43.8 g. (0.30 m.) 5-chloro-2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde, 25.5 g. (0.30 m) p-chloroaniline, 0.5 g. p-toluenesulfonic and 400 ml. benzene was refluxed 6 hours over a Dean-Stark trap to collect water formed. The reaction solution was cooled, washed with dilute sodium carbonate solution and then concentrated in vacuo to a yellow solid. One recrystallization from cyclohexane gave 49 g. of solid melting at 84.degree.-85.degree. C.

#Analysis for C.sub.11 H.sub.7 Cl.sub.2 NC: C, 51.58; H, 2.75; N, 5.46. Found: C, 51.89; H, 2.76; N, 5.55.