Alpha-hydroxy-phosphonic acid esters

Abstract

Styryl-cyclopropane derivatives of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.9 represents independently of one another when n=2, halogen, cyano, nitro, or an optionally halogen-substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio or alkylenedioxy radical, n represents zero, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, R.sup.10 represents hydrogen or halogen, and, Y represents acetyl, cyano or carbamoyl, are produced by reacting a benzylphosphonic acid ester of the formula ##STR2## in which R.sup.4 each independently represents alkyl or phenyl or together represent alkylene, with a formylcyclopropane derivative of the formula ##STR3## or by reacting an .alpha.-hydroxyphosphonic acid ester of the formula ##STR4## with an olefinating agent of the formula ##STR5## in which Z' represents a phosphorus-containing radical ##STR6## or --P(R.sup.7).sub.3.sup..sym. X.sup..crclbar. wherein R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are identical or different and individually represent alkyl, phenyl, alkoxy or phenoxy or R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 together represent alkanedioxy, R.sup.7 represents alkyl or phenyl and X represents halogen, in the presence of a base at a temperature between about -70 and +150.degree. C. Other olefins can be similarly prepared. Many intermediates are new and the end products are themselves intermediates for insecticides.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.