2-(unsubstituted or substituted) (benzyloxy or phenoxy)-4-substituted-6-(meta-substituted phenoxy)pyridine, process for producing the same, and herbicidal composition

A process for producing a 2-(unsubstituted or substituted)(benzyloxy or phenoxy)-4-substituted-6-(meta-substituted phenoxy)pyridine of the formula (I):

• ##STR14## wherein R represents C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkoxy or cyano;
• each X, which-may be identical or different if n is greater than 1, represents a halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkylthio, C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkenyloxy, or C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkynyloxy;
• Y represents trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, or trifluoromethylthio;
• m represents an integer of 0 or 1;
• and
• n represents an integer of 0 to 5, which process comprises reacting a 2-(unsubstituted or substituted)(benzyloxy or phenoxy)-4-substituted-6-halogenopyridine of the formula (II):
• ##STR15## wherein R, X, m, and n are as defined above;
• and Z represents a halogen, with a meta-substituted phenol of the formula (III):
• ##STR16## wherein Y is as defined above.

A prccess for producing a 2,6-di(meta-substituted phenoxy)-4-substituted-pyridine of the formula (I'):

• ##STR17## wherein R represents C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy or cyano;
• and Y represents trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, or trifluoromethylthio, which process comprises reacting a 2,6-dihalogeno-4-substituted-pyridine of the formula (IV):
• ##STR18## wherein R is as defined above;
• and Z represents a halogen, with a meta-substituted phenol of the formula (III):
• ##STR19## wherein Y is as defined above.

A herbicidal composition comprising a 2-(unsubstituted or substituted) (benzyloxy or phenoxy)-4-substituted-6-(meta-substituted phenoxy)pyridine of the formula (I):

• ##STR20## wherein R represents C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy or cyano;
• each X, which may be identical or different if n is greater than 1 represents a halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 haloalkylthio, C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkenyloxy, or C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkynyloxy;
• Y represents trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, or trifluoromethylthio;
• m represents an integer of 0 or 1;
• and
• n represents an integer of 0 to 5, and an adjuvant.