Compounds of the formulas ##SPC1## Where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrogen, alkyl, chloroalkyl, phenyl and alkyl phenyl, X is halogen, Y is nitro, m is an integer from 1 to 2 and n is an integer of 1 to 3 are useful as herbicides and desiccants and to a lesser extent as defoliants. For the best desiccant properties there should be a halogen in the ortho position of the chloronitrophenyl group.

Compounds of the formula where R.sub.1 is ethyl or phenyl and R.sub.2 is lower alkyl are useful as fungicides. The compound 3-heptyn-5-one is particularly valuable since it is not toxic to plants.

Compounds of the formulas 1. R.sub.2 OOC(CH.sub.2).sub.n COOR.sub.1, 2. r.sub.2 oocch=chcoor.sub.1, 3. r.sub.2 ooc coor.sub.1, and 4. R.sub.2 OOC(CH.sub.2).sub.m S(CH.sub.2).sub.m COOR.sub.1 are useful as fungicides, herbicides and nematocides. R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are mono to trihalo mono to dinitrophenyl or mono halo mono methyl nitrophenyl m is 1, 2 or 3 and n is an integer from 0 to 8. Compounds of formulas (1), (2) and (3) are plasticizers for cellulose esters and synthetic resins and compou...

Compounds of the formulae ##SPC1## Where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrogen, alkyl, chloroalkyl, phenyl and alkyl phenyl, X is halogen, Y is nitro, m is an integer from 1 to 2 and n is an integer of 1 to 3 are useful as herbicides and desiccants and to a lesser extent as defoliants. For the best desiccant properties there should be a halogen in the ortho position of the chloronitrophenyl group.