• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2004

Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl[Ethyl (R)-2-{4-(6-chloro-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yloxy)phenoxy}propionate] is well known as a herbicide for its specific activity against the weed grasses. This compound was synthesized by the reaction of 4-(6-chloro-1,3-benzoxazol-2-yloxy)phenol and ethyl (S)-O-(p-toluenesulfonyl)lactate in good yields with high optical pure(optical purity: 99.9% up). In this process Walden inversion occurs, whereby the S-configuration of the propionic acid derivative is converted to the R-configuration of the final product. 4-(6-Chloro-l,3-benzoxazol-2-yloxy)phenol was obtained by 5 step reactions in over-all 70% yields using inexpensive raw materials.