Selective imidazolinone herbicide. Inhibitor of acetolactate synthase, a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of branched chain amino acids. Prepn: M. Los, EP 41623; idem, US 4798619 (1981, 1989 both to Am. Cyanamid). Comprehensive description: T. R. Peoples et al., Proc. Br. Crop Prot. Conf. - Weeds 1985, 99-106. Determn in soil: O. Nováková, Chromatographia 39 62 (1994). Metabolism in corn: N. M. Mallipudi et al., J. Agric. Food Chem. 42, 1213 (1994).