4-arryl-2-haloimidazole-5-carboxylic esters, the preparation and use thereof

A herbicidal composition which comprises

• a herbicidally/antidotally effective amount of:
• at least one 4-aryl-2-haloimidazole-5-carboxylic ester Ia or Ib ##STR43## where R.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 -alkenyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 -alkynyl,
• R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 -alkenyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 -alkynyl,
• Hal is chlorine or bromine,
• n is 0 to 3,
• X is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -haloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -haloalkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkylsulfinyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkysulfonyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -haloalkylthio, cyano, nitro, carboC.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy, N,N-di-C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkylcarbamoyl or halogen;
• and with the proviso that in the esters of formula Ia Hal is not bromine when R.sup.1 is C.sub.2.H.sub.5 and n is 0, and cyclohexenone derivatives of the formula X ##STR44## wherein R.sup.d is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl;
• R.sup.e is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 -alkenyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 -alkynyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.4 -haloalkenyl;
• R.sup.f is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl which carries one C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkylthio or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkoxy radical;
• R.sup.g and R.sup.h are hydrogen;
• and
• R.sup.i is hydrogen or an equivalent of an environmentally compatible cation.