Summary.Four α‐hydroxy‐β,β,β‐trichloroethylamino‐1,2,4‐triazoles were prepared by the reaction of chloral hydrate with the corresponding aminotriazole and tested for herbicidal activity.The introduction of the α‐hydroxy‐β,β,β‐trichloroethyl group into the aminotriazole molecule increased the activity of the parent compound. The increase in activity was slight with the highly active 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole but was more marked with amino 1,2,4‐triazoles of low activity. The symptoms resembled those of the simultaneous action of 3‐amino‐l,2,4‐triazole with ch