U.S. patent application number 14/113417 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-03 for formulation component.
This patent application is currently assigned to SYNGENTA LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is Ian Perry. Invention is credited to Gordon Alastair Bell, Ian David Perry, Julia Lynne Ramsay, David Stock, Phillip Taylor.
Application Number | 20140094370 14/113417 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44168616 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140094370 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bell; Gordon Alastair ; et
al. |
April 3, 2014 |
FORMULATION COMPONENT
Abstract
The invention relates to the use of aromatic esters as adjuvants
in compositions, particularly for agrochemical use, as well to
compositions comprising such an aromatic ester, in combination with
at least one agrochemical. The invention further extends to methods
of making and using such compositions. In particular the present
invention relates to such compositions when formulated as, or
comprised by, an emulsion concentrate (EC), an emulsion in water
(EW), a suspension of particles in water (SC), a microcapsule
formulation (CS), a suspension of particles with and emulsion (SE),
a dispersion concentrate (DC) or an oil suspension (OD).
Inventors: |
Bell; Gordon Alastair;
(Bracknell, GB) ; Taylor; Phillip; (Bracknell,
GB) ; Ramsay; Julia Lynne; (Bracknell, GB) ;
Stock; David; (Bracknell, GB) ; Perry; Ian David;
(Bracknell, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Perry; Ian |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SYNGENTA LIMITED
Guildford, Surrey
GB
|
Family ID: |
44168616 |
Appl. No.: |
14/113417 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
April 13, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB12/00339 |
371 Date: |
December 2, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
504/333 ;
504/348 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01N 43/54 20130101;
A01N 25/30 20130101; A01N 25/02 20130101; A01N 37/10 20130101; A01N
37/10 20130101; A01N 41/06 20130101; A01N 41/10 20130101; A01N
43/653 20130101; A01N 43/90 20130101; A01N 45/02 20130101; A01N
47/36 20130101; A01N 2300/00 20130101; A01N 25/02 20130101; A01N
41/06 20130101; A01N 41/10 20130101; A01N 43/653 20130101; A01N
43/90 20130101; A01N 45/02 20130101; A01N 47/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
504/333 ;
504/348 |
International
Class: |
A01N 25/02 20060101
A01N025/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 26, 2011 |
GB |
1107040.6 |
Claims
1. A method for enhancing the biological activity of an
agrochemical active ingredient, the method comprising combining,
with an agrochemical active ingredient, an aromatic ester of
formula (I) ##STR00004## wherein R.sup.1 is COOR.sup.2 n is 1 or 2
and each R.sup.2 is independently selected from the group
consisting of C.sub.4-C.sub.20 alkyl, C.sub.4-C.sub.22 alkenyl,
C.sub.4-C.sub.22 alkyldienyl and C.sub.6-C.sub.22 alkyltrienyl.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein each R.sup.2 is
independently C.sub.6-C.sub.20 alkyl.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein each R.sup.2 is
independently C.sub.6-C.sub.13 alkyl.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein each R.sup.2 is
independently selected from the group consisting of a C.sub.6 alkyl
group, a C.sub.8 alkyl group and a C.sub.10 alkyl group.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein each R.sup.2 is the
same.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein n is 2.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the active ingredient is
selected from the group consisting of: bicyclopyrone, mesotrione,
fomesafen, tralkoxydim, napropamide, amitraz, propanil,
pyrimethanil, dicloran, tecnazene, toclofos methyl, flamprop M,
2,4-D, MCPA, mecoprop, clodinafop-propargyl, cyhalofopbutyl,
diclofop methyl, haloxyfop, quizalofop-P, indol-3-ylacetic acid,
1-naphthylacetic acid, isoxaben, tebutam, chlorthal dimethyl,
benomyl, benfuresate, dicamba, dichlobenil, benazolin, triazoxide,
fluazuron, teflubenzuron, phenmedipham, acetochlor, alachlor,
metolachlor, pretilachlor, thenylchlor, alloxydim, butroxydim,
clethodim, cyclodim, sethoxydim, tepraloxydim, pendimethalin,
dinoterb, bifenox, oxyfluorfen, acifluorfen, fluoroglycofen-ethyl,
bromoxynil, ioxynil, imazamethabenz-methyl, imazapyr, imazaquin,
imazethapyr, imazapic, imazamox, flumioxazin, flumiclorac-pentyl,
picloram, amodosulfuron, chlorsulfuron, nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron,
triasulfuron, triallate, pebulate, prosulfocarb, molinate,
atrazine, simazine, cyanazine, ametryn, prometryn, terbuthylazine,
terbutryn, sulcotrione, isoproturon, linuron, fenuron,
chlorotoluron, metoxuron, isopyrazam, mandipropamid, azoxystrobin,
trifloxystrobin, kresoxim methyl, famoxadone, metominostrobin and
picoxystrobin, cyprodanil, carbendazim, thiabendazole,
dimethomorph, vinclozolin, iprodione, dithiocarbamate, imazalil,
prochloraz, fluquinconazole, epoxiconazole, flutriafol,
azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole,
difenoconazole, hexaconazole, paclobutrazole, propiconazole,
tebuconazole, triadimefon, trtiticonazole, fenpropimorph,
tridemorph, fenpropidin, mancozeb, metiram, chlorothalonil, thiram,
ziram, captafol, captan, folpet, fluazinam, flutolanil, carboxin,
metalaxyl, bupirimate, ethirimol, dimoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin,
orysastrobin, metominostrobin, prothioconazole, thiamethoxam,
imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, nitenpyram,
fipronil, abamectin, emamectin, bendiocarb, carbaryl, fenoxycarb,
isoprocarb, pirimicarb, propoxur, xylylcarb, asulam, chlorpropham,
endosulfan, heptachlor, tebufenozide, bensultap, diethofencarb,
pirimiphos methyl, aldicarb, methomyl, cyprmethrin, bioallethrin,
deltamethrin, lambda cyhalothrin, cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin,
fenvalerate, imiprothrin, permethrin, halfenprox, paclobutrazole,
1-methylcyclopropene, benoxacor, cloquintocet-mexyl, cyometrinil,
dichlormid, fenchlorazole-ethyl, fenclorim, flurazole, fluxofenim,
mefenpyr-diethyl, MG-191, naphthalic anhydride and oxabetrinil.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the agrochemical active
ingredient is present in a composition comprising at least one
additional component selected from the group consisting of
adjuvants, surfactants, emulsifiers and solvents.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the agrochemical active
ingredient is present in a composition comprising at least a
surfactant.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the active ingredient
is present at a concentration in the range from about 0.001% to
about 90% w/w of the total composition.
11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the aromatic ester
comprises from about 0.0005% to about 90% w/w of the total
composition.
12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the composition is
formulated as, or comprised by a microcapsule.
13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the composition is an
emulsion concentrate (EC), an emulsion in water (EW), a suspension
of particles in water (SC), a microcapsule formulation (CS),
dispersion concentrate (DC), suspension of particles in an emulsion
(SE) or a suspension of particles in oil (OD).
14. (canceled)
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the aromatic ester functions as
an adjuvant or a synergist for the agrochemical.
16. A method of controlling a pest, comprising applying a
composition as defined in claim 8 to said pest or a locus of said
pest.
17. A method of making an agrochemical composition comprising
combining: i. an agrochemically active ingredient; ii. a
surfactant; and an aromatic ester of formula (I) as defined in
claim 1.
18. The A method according to claim 17, wherein the agrochemical
composition is as defined in claim 8.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to the use of aromatic esters as
adjuvants in compositions, particularly for agrochemical use, as
well to compositions comprising such an aromatic ester, in
combination with at least one agrochemical. The invention further
extends to methods of making and using such compositions. In
particular the present invention relates to such compositions when
formulated as, or comprised by, an emulsion concentrate (EC), an
emulsion in water (EW), a suspension of particles in water (SC), a
microcapsule formulation (CS), a suspension of particles with an
emulsion (SE), a dispersion concentrate (DC) or an oil suspension
(OD).
[0002] The efficacy of the active ingredients (AIs) in an
agrochemical composition can often be improved by the addition of
further ingredients. The observed efficacy of the combination of
ingredients can sometimes be significantly higher than that which
would be expected from the individual ingredients used (synergism).
An adjuvant is a substance which can increase the biological
activity of and AI but is itself not significantly biologically
active. The adjuvant is often a surfactant, and can be included in
the formulation or added separately, e.g. by being built into
emulsion concentrate formulations, or as tank mix additives.
[0003] In addition to the effect on biological activity, the
physical properties of an adjuvant are of key importance and must
be selected with a view to compatibility with the formulation
concerned. For instance, it is generally simpler to incorporate a
solid adjuvant into a solid formulation such as a water-soluble or
water-dispersible granule. In general adjuvants rely on surfactant
properties for biological activity enhancement and one typical
class of adjuvants involves an alkyl or aryl group to provide a
lipophilic moiety and a (poly)ethoxy chain to provide a hydrophilic
moiety. Much has been published on the selection of adjuvants for
various purposes, such as Hess, F. D. and Foy, C. L., Weed
technology 2000, 14, 807-813.
[0004] The present invention is based on the discovery that
aromatic esters with relatively long hydrocarbon chains are
surprisingly effective adjuvants, significantly enhancing the
biological activity of active ingredients. Aromatic esters of
varied hydrocarbon chain lengths have until now only been known as
solvents (such as Benzoflex 181.TM. and Finsolv TN.TM.),
emollients, plasticisers, and thickening agents, for use in various
industries. There is also a meagre amount of information presently
available on preferentially shorter chain aromatic esters having
putative adjuvant properties in the context of agrochemical
compositions. However, according to the surprising effects
underpinning the present invention, this formulation dogma will be
swept aside, at least to some extent, by the revelation that it is
in fact longer chain aromatic esters (in particular phthalate
derivatives) which possess the greater adjuvant properties.
[0005] The present invention accordingly provides the use of an
aromatic ester of formula (I)
##STR00001##
[0006] wherein [0007] R.sup.1 is COOR.sup.2 [0008] n is 1 or 2 and
[0009] each R.sup.2 is independently selected from the group
consisting of C.sub.4-C.sub.20 alkyl, C.sub.4-C.sub.22 alkenyl,
C.sub.4-C.sub.22 alkyldienyl, and C.sub.6-C.sub.22
alkyltrienyl,
[0010] for enhancing the biological activity of an agrochemical
active ingredient.
[0011] In a second aspect the invention provides for the use of an
aromatic ester of formula (I) as described herein as an adjuvant in
an agrochemical composition.
[0012] In a third aspect the invention provides for the use of an
agrochemical composition as described herein to control pests.
[0013] In a further aspect there is provided a method of
controlling a pest, comprising applying a composition of the
invention to said pest or to the locus of said pest.
[0014] In yet a further aspect there is provided a method of making
an agrochemical composition as described herein, comprising
combining an active ingredient, a surfactant and an aromatic ester
of formula (I).
[0015] In a yet further aspect the invention provides for the use
of an aromatic ester of formula (I) as described herein as an
adjuvant /synergist for an agrochemical.
[0016] Alkyl groups and moieties are straight or branched chains,
and unless explicitly stated to the contrary, are unsubstituted.
Examples of suitable alkyl groups for use in the invention are
hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl,
tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl
and eicosyl groups.
[0017] Alkenyl groups and moieties are straight or branched chains
having a single carbon-carbon double bond, and unless explicitly
stated to the contrary, are unsubstituted. Examples of suitable
alkenyl groups for use in the invention are hex-1-enyl, hex-2-enyl,
hex-3-enyl, hept-1-enyl, oct-1-enyl, non-1-enyl, dec-1-enyl,
undec-1-enyl, and groups derived from monoenoic fatty acids
including cis-4-decenyl, cis-9-decenyl, cis-5-laurolyl,
cis-4-dodecenyl, cis-9-tetradecenyl, cis-5-tetradecenyl,
cis-4-tetradecenyl, cis-9-hexadecenyl, cis-6-hexadecenyl,
cis-6-octadecenyl, cis-9-octadecenyl, trans-9-octadecenyl,
cis-11-octadecenyl, cis-9-eicosenyl, cis-11-eicosenyl,
cis-11-docosenyl, cis-13-docosenyl and cis-15-tetracosenyl.
[0018] Alkyldienyl groups and moieties are straight or branched
chains having two carbon-carbon double bond, and unless explicitly
stated to the contrary, are unsubstituted. Examples of suitable
alkyldienyl groups for use in the invention are buta-1,3-dienyl,
penta-1,3-dienyl, penta-2,4-dienyl, penta-1,4-dienyl,
hex-1,3-dienyl, hept-1,3-dienyl, linoleyl, and linoelaidyl.
[0019] Alkyltrienyl groups and moieties are straight or branched
chains having three carbon-carbon double bond, and unless
explicitly stated to the contrary, are unsubstituted. Examples of
suitable alkyldienyl groups for use in the invention
hex-1,3,5-trienyl, hepta-1,3,5-trienyl, and linolenyl.
[0020] In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the
preferred values for n, as well as the preferred groups for R.sup.1
& R.sup.2, in any combination thereof (unless specifically
stated otherwise) are as set out below.
[0021] As described herein, compounds of formula (I) may be benzoic
acid esters or esters of phthalic acid, isophthalic acid or
terephthalic acid. Phthalic acid esters are preferred. Preferably,
each R.sup.2 is independently a C.sub.4-C.sub.20 alkyl group. More
preferably each R.sup.2 is independently a C.sub.6-C.sub.20 alkyl
group, more preferably a C.sub.6-C.sub.13 alkyl group and may be
for example n-hexyl, isoheptyl, 2-ethylhexyl, isononyl, isodecyl,
isoundecyl, isododecyl, or isotridecyl. Most preferably each
R.sup.2 is a C.sub.6-C.sub.10 alkyl group.
[0022] In certain embodiments each R.sup.2 is independently a
C.sub.6, C.sub.8 or C.sub.10 alkyl group. In further embodiments
each R.sup.2 is independently n-hexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, or
isodecyl.
[0023] As described herein n may be an integer of 1 or 2 preferably
2. In particularly preferred embodiments when n is 2, each R.sup.2
is the same.
[0024] Examples of compounds of formula (I), which may be used in
the invention and which are available commercially include for
example, those described in Table 1 below.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Compounds of formula (I) for use in the
invention Compound Trade name Supplier CAS no. Di-isoheptyl
phthalate JAYFLEX .RTM. 77 ExxonMobil Chemical 71888-89-6
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate -- Alfa Aesar 117-81-7 Di-isononyl
phthalate JAYFLEX .RTM. DINP ExxonMobil Chemical 68515-48-0
Di-isodecyl phthalate JAYFLEX .RTM. DIDP ExxonMobil Chemical
68515-49-1 Di-isoundecyl phthalate JAYFLEX .RTM. DIUP ExxonMobil
Chemical 85507-79-5 Di-isotridecyl phthalate JAYFLEX .RTM. DTDP
ExxonMobil Chemical 27253-26-5? A phthalate ester of mixed semi-
JAYFLEX .RTM. L911P ExxonMobil Chemical 68515-43-5 linear C.sub.9
and C.sub.11 alohols. DiC.sub.8-C.sub.10 phthalates PALATINOL .RTM.
810P BASF
[0025] Alternatively, compounds of formula 1 may be synthesised
according to the general principals outlined below.
[0026] Where n has a value of 1, compounds of formula (I) are
benzoic acid esters and may be synthesised using well-known
methodology as described for example in reaction schemes 1 and 2
below.
##STR00002##
[0027] An alcohol of formula (A) is reacted with an acid chloride
of formula (AC) in order to form a benzoic acid ester of formula
(I), wherein R.sup.2 is an appropriate alkyl group as defined
hereinbefore.
##STR00003##
[0028] An alcohol of formula (A) is reacted with an acid anhydride
of formula (AA) to form a benzoic acid ester of formula (I) plus an
acid of formula (AC), in which R.sup.2 is a suitable alkyl group as
defined hereinbefore. In an analogous way, phthalate esters for use
in the invention may be produced by esterification of phthalic
anhydride with an alcohol of formula (A).
[0029] Alcohols of formula (A), acid chlorides of formula (AC) and
acid anhydrides of formula (AA) are readily available or may be
synthesised using standard methodology well known in the art.
[0030] As stated previously, the present invention is based on the
unexpected finding that compounds of formula (I) are particularly
good adjuvants in agrochemical formulations. In particular,
compounds of formula (I) display the surprising property of
enhancing the biological activity of an agrochemical active
ingredient in an agrochemical composition. As used herein,
"enhancing the biological activity" means increasing the potency of
an agrochemical active ingredient, and/or decreasing the
application rate required to achieve control of the target
organism. Accordingly, such adjuvants may be combined with an
active ingredient, which is an agrochemical, in order to form an
agrochemical composition. The present invention extends to a method
of making such an agrochemical composition, wherein said method
comprises combining a compound of formula (I) with an
agrochemically active ingredient, and optionally a surfactant. The
noun "agrochemical" and term "agrochemically active ingredient" are
used herein interchangeably, and they include herbicides,
insecticides, nematicides, molluscicides, funcgicides, plant growth
regulators, and safeners. Suitable herbicides include
bicyclopyrone, mesotrione, fomesafen, tralkoxydim, napropamide,
amitraz, propanil, pyrimethanil, dicloran, tecnazene, toclofos
methyl, flamprop M, 2,4-D, MCPA, mecoprop, clodinafop-propargyl,
cyhalofop-butyl, diclofop methyl, haloxyfop, quizalofop-P,
indol-3-ylacetic acid, 1-naphthylacetic acid, isoxaben, tebutam,
chiorthal dimethyl, benomyl, benfuresate, dicamba, dichlobenil,
benazolin, triazoxide, fluazuron, teflubenzuron, phenmedipham,
acetochlor, alachlor, metolachlor, pretilachlor, thenylchlor,
alloxydim, butroxydim, clethodim, cyclodim, sethoxydim,
tepraloxydim, pendimethalin, dinoterb, bifenox, oxyfluorfen,
acifluorfen, fluoroglycofen-ethyl, bromoxynil, ioxynil,
imazamethabenz-methyl, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr, imazapic,
imazamox, flumioxazin, flumiclorac-pentyl, picloram, amodosulfuron,
chlorsulfuron, nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron, triasulfuron, triallate,
pebulate, prosulfocarb, molinate, atrazine, simazine, cyanazine,
ametryn, prometryn, terbuthylazine, terbutryn, sulcotrione,
isoproturon, linuron, fenuron, chlorotoluron and metoxuron.
[0031] Suitable fungicides include isopyrazam, mandipropamid,
azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin, kresoxim methyl, famoxadone,
metominostrobin and picoxystrobin, cyprodanil, carbendazim,
thiabendazole, dimethomorph, vinclozolin, iprodione,
dithiocarbamate, imazalil, prochloraz, fluquinconazole,
epoxiconazole, flutriafol, azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole,
cyproconazole, difenoconazole, hexaconazole, paclobutrazole,
propiconazole, tebuconazole, triadimefon, trtiticonazole,
fenpropimorph, tridemorph, fenpropidin, mancozeb, metiram,
chlorothalonil, thiram, ziram, captafol, captan, folpet, fluazinam,
flutolanil, carboxin, metalaxyl, bupirimate, ethirimol,
dimoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, orysastrobin, metominostrobin and
prothioconazole.
[0032] Suitable insecticides include thiamethoxam, imidacloprid,
acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, nitenpyram, fipronil,
abamectin, emamectin, bendiocarb, carbaryl, fenoxycarb, isoprocarb,
pirimicarb, propoxur, xylylcarb, asulam, chlorpropham, endosulfan,
heptachlor, tebufenozide, bensultap, diethofencarb, pirimiphos
methyl, aldicarb, methomyl, cyprmethrin, bioallethrin,
deltamethrin, lambda cyhalothrin, cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin,
fenvalerate, imiprothrin, permethrin and halfenprox.
[0033] Suitable plant growth regulators include paclobutrazole and
1-methylcyclopropene.
[0034] Suitable safeners include benoxacor, cloquintocet-mexyl,
cyometrinil, dichlormid, fenchlorazole-ethyl, fenclorim, flurazole,
fluxofenim, mefenpyr-diethyl, MG-191, naphthalic anhydride, and
oxabetrinil.
[0035] Of course, the various editions of The Pesticide Manual
[especially the 14.sup.th and 15.sup.th editions] also disclose
details of agrochemicals, any one of which may suitably be used
with the present invention.
[0036] The skilled man will appreciate that compositions of the
invention may comprise one or more of the agrochemicals as
described above.
[0037] Compositions of the invention will typically comprise the
agrochemical in an amount that is recommended in the art. Generally
the agrochemical will be present at a concentration of about 0.001%
to 90% w/w. The skilled man will appreciate that compositions of
the invention may be in the form of a ready-to-use formulation or
in concentrate form suitable for further dilution by the end user,
and the concentration of agrochemical and compound of formula (I)
will be adjusted accordingly. In concentrated form, compositions of
the invention typically comprise agrochemical at 5 to 75% w/w, more
preferably 10 to 50% w/w agrochemical. Ready-to-use compositions of
the invention will typically comprise from 0.0001% to 1% w/w, more
preferably from 0.001% to 0.5% w/w, and more preferably still from
0.001% to 0.1% w/w agrochemical.
[0038] Typically a compound of formula (I) will comprise from about
0.0005% to about 90% w/w of the total composition. When in
concentrated form, compositions of the invention typically comprise
a compound of formula (I) from 1% to 80% w/w, preferably from 5% to
60% w/w and more preferably from 10% w/w to 40% w/w. Ready to use
compositions of the invention typically comprise a compound of
formula (I) from about 0.05% to about 1% w/w of the total
composition, more preferably still from about 0.1% to about 0.5%
w/w of the total composition. In specific embodiments the aromatic
ester will be included at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.25%,
0.3%, 0.4% or 0.5% w/w of the total composition. Compounds of
formula (I) may be manufactured and/or formulated separately, and
in order to be used as an adjuvant these may be added to a separate
agrochemical formulation at a subsequent stage, typically
immediately prior to use.
[0039] The skilled man will appreciate that compositions of the
invention may be in the form of a ready-to-use formulation or in
concentrate form suitable for further dilution by the end user, and
the concentration of agrochemical and compound of formula (I) will
be adjusted accordingly. Compounds of formula (I) may be
manufactured and/or formulated separately, and in order to be used
as an adjuvant these may be added to a separate agrochemical
formulation at a subsequent stage, typically immediately prior to
use.
[0040] Compositions of the invention may be formulated in any
suitable manner known to the man skilled in the art. As mentioned
above, in one form a composition of the invention is a formulation
concentrate which may be diluted or dispersed (typically in water)
by an end-user (typically a farmer) in a spray tank prior to
application.
[0041] Additional formulation components may be incorporated
alongside compounds of formula (I) or compositions of the invention
in such formulations. Such additional components include, for
example, adjuvants, surfactants, emulsifiers, and solvents, and are
well known to the man skilled in the art: standard formulation
publications disclose such formulation components suitable for use
with the present invention (for example, Chemistry and Technology
of Agrochemical Formulations, Ed. Alan Knowles, published by Kluwer
Academic Publishers, The Netherlands in 1998; and Adjuvants and
Additives: 2006 Edition by Alan Knowles, Agrow Report DS256,
published by Informa UK Ltd, December 2006). Further standard
formulation components suitable for use with the present invention
are disclosed in WO2009/130281A1 (see from page 46, line 5 to page
51, line 40).
[0042] Thus, compositions of the present invention may also
comprise one or more surfactants or dispersing agents to assist the
emulsification of the agrochemical on dispersion or dilution in an
aqueous medium (dispersant system). The emulsification system is
present primarily to assist in maintaining the emulsified
agrochemical in water. Many individual emulsifiers, surfactants and
mixtures thereof suitable for forming an emulsion system for an
agrochemical are known to those skilled in the art and a very wide
range of choices is available. Typical surfactants that may be used
to form an emulsifier system include those containing ethylene
oxide, propylene oxide or ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; aryl
or alkylaryl sulphonates and combinations of these with either
ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or both; carboxylates and
combinations of these with either ethylene oxide or propylene oxide
or both. Polymers and copolymers are also commonly used.
[0043] Compositions of the present invention may also include
solvents, which may have a range of water solubilitites. Oils with
very low water solubilities may be added to the solvent of the
present invention for assorted reasons such as the provision of
scent, safening, cost reduction, improvement of the emulsification
properties and alteration of the solubilising power. Solvents with
higher water solubility may also be added for various reasons, for
instance to alter the ease with which the formulation emulsifies in
water, to improve the solubility of the pesticide or of the other
optional additives in the formulation, to change the viscosity of
the formulation or to add a commercial benefit.
[0044] Other optional ingredients which may be added to the
formulation include for example, colourants, scents, and other
materials which benefit a typical agrochemical formulation.
[0045] Compositions of the invention may formulated for example, as
emulsion or dispersion concentrates, emulsions in water or oil, as
microencapsulated formulations, aerosol sprays or fogging
formulations; and these may be further formulated into granular
materials or powders, for example for dry application or as
water-dispersible formulations. Preferably compositions of the
invention will be formulated as, or comprised by an emulsion
concentrate (EC), an emulsion in water (EW), a microcapsule
formulation (CS), a suspension of particles with an emulsion of
(suspoemulsion; SE), a dispersion concentrate (DC) or an oil
suspension (OD).
[0046] Compositions of the invention may be used to control pests.
The term "pest" as used herein includes insects, fungi, molluscs,
nematodes, and unwanted plants. Thus, in order to control a pest a
composition of the invention may be applied directly to the pest,
or to the locus of a pest.
[0047] Compositions of the invention also have utility in the seed
treatment arena, and thus may be applied as appropriate to
seeds.
[0048] The skilled man will appreciate that the preferences
described above with respect to various aspects and embodiments of
the invention may be combined in whatever way is deemed
appropriate.
[0049] Various aspects and embodiments of the present invention
will now be illustrated in more detail by way of example. It will
be appreciated that modification of detail may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
Use of Bis-2-Ethylhexyl Phthalate as an Adjuvant for Mesotrione
[0050] The aromatic ester bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate was tested as
an adjuvant in compositions of mesotrione, in a glasshouse against
four weed species. An agrochemical composition was prepared
containing 0.5% v/v of the adjuvant in a track sprayer and was
applied at a volume of 200 liters per hectare. Mesotrione was
applied at either 60 or 120 grams per hectare. The adjuvant oils
were emulsified using a small amount of the surfactant
Pluronic.RTM. PE 10500, which was present in the composition at a
concentration of 0.02% v/v. The weed species and their growth stage
at spraying were Polygonum convolvulus (POLCO; growth stage 13),
Brachiaria platyphylla (BRAPL; growth stage 13)
Digitaria sanguinalis (DIGSA; growth stage 13) and Amaranthus
tuberculatus (AMATU; growth stage 13).
[0051] Each spray test was replicated three times. The efficacy of
the herbicide was assessed visually and expressed as a percentage
of the leaf area killed. Samples were assessed at time periods of
7, 14 and 21 days following application. The results shown below in
Table 10 are mean averages over the two rates of mesotrione, three
replicates, four weed species and the three assessment timings, and
are compared to the efficacy of mesotrione in the absence of
adjuvant and mesotrione plus the commercial tank mix adjuvant
Turbocharge.RTM. (applied at 0.5% v/v).
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 10 Mean percentage kill results for mesotrione
in the presence and absence of bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, or
Turbocharge .RTM.. A standard Tukey HSD test was carried out to
assess whether each result was statistically different from the
other results and this is expressed as a letter: tests with the
same letter are not statistically different (p < 0.05).
Treatment Mean across species Mesotrione +
bis-2-ethylhexylphthalate 61.4 A Mesotrione + Turbocharge .RTM.
61.0 A Mesotrione 49.6 B
[0052] The results show that the inclusion of either
bis-2-ethylhexylphthalate or Turbocharge.RTM. increases the
efficacy of the herbicide mesotrione, and that both compounds are
thus effective adjuvants.
Example 2
Use of Bis-2-Ethylhexyl Phthalate as an Adjuvant for Fomesafen
[0053] The aromatic ester bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate was tested as
an adjuvant in compositions of fomesafen, in a glasshouse against
four weed species. An agrochemical composition was prepared
containing 0.5% v/v of the adjuvant in a track sprayer and was
applied at a volume of 200 liters per hectare. Fomesafen was
applied at a rate of either 60 or 120 grams per hectare. The
adjuvant oils were emulsified using a small amount of the
surfactant Pluronic.RTM. PE 10500, which was present in the
composition at a concentration of 0.02% v/v. The weed species and
their growth stage at spraying were Chenopodium album (CHEAL;
growth stage 14), Abutilon theophrasti (ABUTH; growth stage 12),
Setaria viridis (SETVI; growth stage 13), and Xanthium strumarium
(XANST; growth stage 12).
[0054] Each spray test was replicated three times. The efficacy of
the herbicide was assessed visually and expressed as a percentage
of the leaf area killed. Samples were assessed at time periods of
2, 7 and 14 days following application. The results shown below in
Table 11 are mean averages over the two rates of fomesafen, three
replicates, four weed species and the three assessment timings, and
are compared to the efficacy of fomesafen without adjuvant and
fomesafen with the commercially available adjuvant Turbocharge.RTM.
(applied at 0.5% v/v).
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 11 Mean percentage kill results for fomesafen
in the presence and absence of bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, or
Turbocharge .RTM.. A standard Tukey HSD test was carried out to
assess whether each result was statistically different from the
other results and this is expressed as a letter: tests with the
same letter are not statistically different (p < 0.05).
Treatment Mean across species Fomesafen + Turbocharge .RTM. 28.3 A
Fomesafen + bis-2-ethylhexylphthalate 22.3 B Fomesafen 14.3 C
[0055] The results show that that the inclusion of either
bis-2-ethylhexylphthalate or Turbocharge.RTM. increases the
efficacy of the herbicide mesotrione, and that both compounds are
thus effective adjuvants.
* * * * *