Cyclohexane-1,3-dione Oxime Ether Grass-Specific Herbicides and the Discovery of Butroxydim1

The cyclohexanedione oxime ether herbicides are an important and widely used class of weed-control agents that selectively kill grass species. Since 1975, eight cyclohexanedione herbicides have been commercialized, including six compounds for grass weed control in broad-leaf crops such as cotton, soybeans and vegetables. One cyclohexanedione has been developed for wild oat control in wheat and also one compound for selective removal of barnyard grass in rice. A brief overview of the cyclohexanedione herbicide field is given, together with a more detailed account of the discovery and development of the herbicide butroxydim.