TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preparation (Disclosed): Preparation of (I) (in which R6 is H and m is 0) comprises deprotonating the triazolyl ring of (IV) using a strong base e.g. n-butyl lithium or sodium hydride, and reacting the resulting anion with elemental sulfur in the presence of an inert solvent e.g. diethyl ether. Full Definitions:    A = 1-5C-alkylene bridge (optionally substituted by 1-6 R7);    Y1 = O, S or NR8; either    R1-R4 = phenyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkoxy, phenoxy, phenylthio (all optionally contains 1-5 R9), H, halo, OH, SH, NO2, CN, 1-4C-(halo)alkyl, 2-4C-(halo)alkenyl, 2-4C-(halo)alkynyl, 3-8C-(halo)cycloalkyl, 1-4C-(halo)alkoxy, 1-4C-(halo)alkenyloxy, 1-4C-(halo)alkynyloxy, 3-8C-(halo)cycloalkoxy, 1-4C-(halo)alkylthio, 1-4C-(halo)alkynylylthio, phenyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, 3-7-membered saturated, partially unsaturated or maximum unsaturated heterocyclic ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms of N, O or S (optionally containing 1-3 R9), COR10, COOR10, CONR15R16, NR15R16 or S(O)PR10 (where the aliphatic moieties in the above radicals optionally contains 1-3 R18 and the cycloaliphatic moieties in the above radicals optionally contains 1-3 R19); or    R1R2, R3R4 = partly unsaturated or maximum unsaturated 5-7-membered carbocyclic ring or a partly unsaturated or maximum unsaturated 5-7-membered heterocyclic ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms of O, S or N (where the carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring optionally contains 1-3 R9); either    R5 = phenyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkoxy, phenoxy, phenylthio (all optionally contains 1-5 R9), halo, OH, SH, NO2, CN, 1-4C-(halo)alkyl, 2-4C-(halo)alkenyl, 2-4C-(halo)alkynyl, 3-8C-(halo)cycloalkyl, 1-4C-(halo)alkoxy, 1-4C-(halo)alkenyloxy, 1-4C-(halo)alkynyloxy, 3-8C-(halo)cycloalkoxy, 1-4C-(halo)alkylthio, 1-4C-(halo)alkenylthio, 3-7-membered saturated, partially unsaturated or maximum unsaturated heterocyclic ring containing 1-3 of N, O or S (optionally containing 1-3 R9), COR10, COOR10, CONR15R16, NR15R16 or S(O)PR10 (where the aliphatic moieties optionally contains 1-3 R18 and the cycloaliphatic moieties optionally contains 1-3 R19); or    2R5 = a partly unsaturated or maximum unsaturated 5-7-membered carbocyclic ring or a partly unsaturated or maximum unsaturated 5-7-membered heterocyclic ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms of O, S or N, where the carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring optionally contains 1-3 R9;    R6 = phenyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl (both optionally containing 1-5 R11), H, 1-10C-(halo)alkyl, 2-10-(halo)alkenyl, 2-10C-(halo)alkynyl, 3-10C-(halo)cycloalkyl or a 5- or 6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocyclic ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms of N, O or S (where the heterocyclic ring optionally contains 1-3 R11), or -C(=O)R12, -C(=S)R12, -S(O)2R12, -CN, -P(=Q)R13R14, M or a triazole group of formula (IV) (when m is 0);    R6a = phenyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl (both optionally containing 1-5 R11), H, 1-10C-(halo)alkyl, 2-10C-(halo)alkenyl, 2-10C-(halo)alkynyl, 3-10C-(halo)cycloalkyl, a 5- or 6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocyclic ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms of N, O or S (where the heterocyclic ring optionally contains 1-3 R11), -C(=O)R12, -C(=S)R12, -S(O)2R12, -CN, -P(=Q)R13R14 or M; either    R7 = halo, OH, SH, NR15R16, 1-4C-(halo)alkyl, 2-4C-(halo)alkenyl, 2-4C-(halo)alkynyl, 1-4C-(halo)alkoxy or 1-4C-(halo)alkylthio, where the aliphatic moieties optionally contains 1-3 R18; or    2R7 = a 3-7-membered saturated, partly unsaturated or maximum unsaturated carbocyclic ring or a 3-7-membered saturated, partly unsaturated or maximum unsaturated heterocyclic ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms of O, S or N, where the carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring optionally contains 1-3 R9;    R8 = phenyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl (both optionally substituted by 1-5 R9), H, CN, 1-4C-(halo)alkyl, 2-4C-(halo)alkenyl, 2-4C-(halo)alkynyl, 1-4C-(halo)alkoxy, COR10, COOR10, CONR15R16 or S(O)pR10;    R9 = halo, OH, SH, NR15R16, CN, NO2, 1-4C-(halo)alkyl, 2-4C-(halo)alkenyl, 2-4C-(halo)alkynyl, 1-4C-(halo)alkoxy, or 1-4C-(halo)alkylthio, where the aliphatic moieties are optionally substituted by R18;    R10 = phenyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl (both optionally contains 1-5 R9), H, 1-4C-(halo)alkyl, 2-4C-(halo)alkenyl, 1-4C-aminoalkyl, and a 5- or 6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocyclic ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms of N, O or S, where the heterocyclic ring optionally contains 1-3 R9;    R11 = halo, OH, SH, NR15R16, CN, NO2, 1-4C-(halo)alkyl, 2-4C-(halo)alkenyl, 2-4C-(halo)alkynyl, 1-4C-(halo)alkoxy, or 1-4C-(halo)alkylthio, where the aliphatic moieties are optionally contains 1-3 R18;    R12 = phenyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl (both optionally contains 1-5 R11), H, 1-10C-(halo)alkyl, 1-10C-(halo)alkoxy, 1-10C-aminoalkyl, 3-10C-(halo)cycloalkyl, a 5- or 6-membered saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocyclic ring containing 1-3 heteroatoms of N, O or S (where the heterocyclic ring optionally contains 1-3 R11), or NR15R16;    R13, R14 = 1-10C-(halo)alkyl, 2-10C-(halo)alkenyl, 2-10C-(halo)alkynyl, 3-10C-(halo)cycloalkyl, 1-10C-(halo)alkoxy, 1-4C-alkoxy-1-10C-alkyl, 1-4C-alkoxy-1-10C-alkoxy, 1-10C-(halo)alkylthio, 2-10C-alkenyloxy, 2-10C-alkenylthio, 2-10C-alkynyloxy, 2-10C-alkynylthio, 3-10C-cycloalkoxy, 3-10C-cycloalkylthio, phenyl, phenyl-1-4C-alkyl, phenylthio, phenyl-1-4C-alkoxy or NR15R16; either    R15 = H or 1-8C-alkyl; and    R16 = H, 1-8C-alkyl, phenyl or phenyl-1-4C-alkyl; or    R15R16 = 4C or 5C-alkylene bridge, -CH2CH2OCH2CH2- or -CH2CH2NR17CH2CH2-;    R17 = H or 1-4C-alkyl;    R18 = nitro, CN, OH, SH, COR10, COOR10, CONR15R16, NR15R16, 3-6C-(halo)cycloalkyl, 1-4C-(halo)alkoxy, 3-6C-cycloalkoxy, phenyl or phenoxy;    R19 = nitro, CN, OH, SH, COR10, COOR10, CONR15R16, NR15R16, 1-4C-(halo)alkyl, 3-6C-(halo)cycloalkyl, 1-4C-(halo)alkoxy, 3-6C-cycloalkoxy, phenyl or phenoxy;    Q = O or S;    M = a metal cation equivalent or an ammonium cation of formula (NR1aR1bR1cR1d)+;    R1a-R1d = phenyl, benzyl (both optionally contains 1-3 halo, CN, nitro, 1-4C-(halo)alkyl, 1-4C-(halo)alkoxy, or NR15R166), H or 1-10C-alkyl;    m = 0-2;    n = 0-5; and    p = 1 or 2.    Provided that: R1 is not Cl if R2-R4 are H, Y1 is O, (R5)n is 4-Cl, relative to the 1-position of the attachment point of the phenyl ring to Y1, and A is a linear 2C-alkylene group optionally substituted by 1 or 2 1-4C-alkyl or is -(CH2)3; and R3 is not Cl if R1, R2 and R4 are H, Y1 is O, (R5)n is 4-Cl, relative to the 1-position of the attachment point of the phenyl ring to Y1, and A is a linear 2C-alkylene group optionally substituted by 1 or 2 1-4C-alkyl or is -(CH2)3.    ACTIVITY - Fungicide; Cytostatic; Virucide; Anti-HIV.    MECHANISM OF ACTION - None given.    ADMINISTRATION - Application of (Q) for seeds is 0.1 g to 10 kg/100 kg of seeds (claimed) via dressing, coating, pelleting, dusting or soaking. Application of (Q) for protecting plants is 0.001-2, preferably 0.1-0.75 kg/hectare. Application of (Q) for protecting materials is 0.001 g to 2 kg/m3, preferably 0.005 g to 1 kg/m3. Administration of (Q) is oral, intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous.    SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - 77 Compounds (IV) are specifically claimed e.g. 1-(2-(2-chloro-4-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-phenyl)-4-methyl-(1,3)dioxan-2-ylmethyl)-1H-(1,2,4)triazole of formula (IVa), 1-(2-(2-chloro-4-(4-chloro-phenoxy) -phenyl)-4,6-dimethyl-(1,3)dioxan-2-ylmethyl)-1H-(1,2,4)triazole, 1-(5-tert-butyl-2-(2-chloro-4-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-phenyl)-(1,3)dioxan-2-ylmethyl)-1H-(1,2,4)triazole, 1-(2-(2-chloro-4-(4-chloro-phenoxy) -phenyl)-5-phenyl-(1,3)dioxan-2-ylmethyl)-1H-(1,2,4)triazole and 1-(2-(2-chloro-4-(4-chloro-phenoxy) -phenyl)-5-methyl-(1,3)dioxan-2-ylmethyl)-1H-(1,2,4)triazole. Approximately 4833792 compounds (I) are disclosed e.g. 2-(2-(4-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenoxy)-2,5-difluoro-phenyl)-(1,3)dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)-2H-(1,2,4)triazole-3-thiol, 2-(2-(4-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenoxy)-2,5-difluoro-phenyl)-(1,3)dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)-2H-(1,2,4)triazole-3-thiol, 2-(2-(3,5-difluoro-4-phenoxy-phenyl)-(1,3)dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)-2H-(1,2,4)triazole-3-thiol, 2-(2-(4-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-3,5-difluoro-phenyl)-(1,3)dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)-2H-(1,2,4)triazole-3-thiol and 2-(2-(4-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-phenoxy)-3,5-difluoro-phenyl)-(1,3)dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)-2H-(1,2,4)triazole-3-thiol. Approximately 1790160 compounds (II) are disclosed e.g. 2-(2-(4-phenoxy-phenyl)-(1,3)dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)-2,4-dihydro-(1,2,4)triazole-3-thione of formula (IIa), 2-(2-(4-(2-fluoro-phenoxy)-phenyl)- (1,3)dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)-2,4-dihydro-(1,2,4)triazole-3-thione, 2-(2-(4-(3-fluoro-phenoxy)-phenyl)- (1,3)dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)-2,4-dihydro-(1,2,4)triazole-3-thione, 2-(2-(4-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-phenyl)-(1,3)dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)-2,4-dihydro-(1,2,4)triazole-3-thione and 2-(2-(4-(2-chloro-phenoxy)-phenyl)- (1,3)dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)-2,4-dihydro-(1,2,4)triazole-3-thione    EXAMPLE - A mixture of 1-(2-chloro-4-(4-chlorophenoxy))-2-(1,2,4)triazol-1-yl-acetophenone (0.5 g), 1,3-butanediol (0.2 g), p-toluenesulfonic acid (0.1 g) and toluene (60 ml) was heated to reflux and the water formed in the reaction was removed. After 60 hours heating, additional 1,3-butanediol (0.4 g) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (0.1 g) was added and the heating continued for further 60 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and added to a saturated aqueous solution of potassium carbonate (50 ml) and the organic components were extracted with ethyl acetate (300 ml), washed with saturated sodium chloride solution and dried over sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvents followed by purification by column chromatography gave 1-(2-(2-chloro-4-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-phenyl)-4-methyl-(1,3)dioxan-2-ylmethyl)-1 H-(1,2,4)triazole (0.26 g, 46%). Butyl lithium (1.57 mmole) was added drop wise to a solution of 1-(2-(2-chloro-4-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-phenyl)-4-methyl-(1,3)dioxan-2-ylmethyl)-1 H-(1,2,4)triazole (300 mg) in tetrahydrofuran (6 ml) at -20 degrees C. The mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 30 minutes then cooled again to -70 degrees C. Sulfur (27 mg) was then added and the mixture was stirred at -70 degrees C for one hour. At -70 degrees C a saturated solution of ammonium chloride (2 ml) was added, the mixture was warmed to room temperature and further water (50 ml) was added. The organic components were extracted with methyl tert-butyl ether (100 ml), the organic extracts were washed with a saturated solution of ammonium chloride and dried over sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the solvents followed by purification by reverse phase chromatography to give 2-(2-(2-chloro-4-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-phenyl)-4-methyl-(1,3)dioxan-2-yl-methyl)-2H-(1,2,4)triazole-3-thiol (130 mg, 38%) as a brown solid.