阅读说明：本技术 农业用亚氨基二丙酸盐表面活性剂 (Agricultural imino dipropionate surfactant ) 是由 陈资衔 周裕明 韩志潮 M·M·F·阿达米 L·F·M·莫伊提 于 2019-04-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种农药组合物,其至少包含：a)有效量的农药；b)一种阴离子表面活性剂,其选自烷基硫酸盐、烷基醚硫酸盐、烷基磺酸盐、烷基醚磺酸盐、α-烯烃磺酸盐、烷基羧酸盐、烷基醚羧酸盐、烷基磺基琥珀酸盐、烷基醚磺基琥珀酸盐、谷氨酸盐、羟乙基磺酸盐、牛磺酸盐和肌氨酸盐；以及c)一种亚氨基二丙酸盐。(The present invention relates to a pesticide composition comprising at least: a) an effective amount of a pesticide; b) an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl carboxylates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, glutamates, isethionates, taurates and sarcosinates; and c) an iminodipropionate salt.)

1. A pesticidal composition comprising at least:

a) an effective amount of a pesticide;

b) an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl carboxylates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, glutamates, isethionates, taurates and sarcosinates; and

c) an imino dipropionate.

2. The pesticide composition as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pesticide is a water-soluble or partially water-soluble pesticide.

3. The pesticide composition as set forth in any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the pesticide comprises one or more agrochemicals having the formula (1) or salts thereof:

(1)

wherein:

-Z₁is of the formula-OM, -NHCH (CH)₃)CONHCH(CH₃)CO₂M or

-NHCH(CH₃)CONHCH[CH₂CH(CH₃)₂]CO₂A group of M, wherein M ═ H or a salt-forming cation; and preferably wherein the pesticide comprises an ammonium salt of glufosinate-ammonium.

4. The pesticide composition as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising at least 20pbw, such as from 20 to 50pbw, such as from 20 to 40pbw, especially from 22 to 30pbw, of said pesticide relative to the total weight of the composition.

5. The pesticidal composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one alkyl ether sulfate, such as one having the formula (3):

(3)R’-[O-CH(R”)-CH₂]_m-O-S(O)₃ ^-X⁺

wherein:

r' is alkyl, e.g. (C)₈-C₃₀) Alkyl, more typically (C)₈-C₁₈) The alkyl group, such as lauryl,

-each R' is independently H or methyl, and more typically H,

-m is an integer from 1 to 100, such as from 1 to 50, and more typically from 1 to 10, and

-X⁺is an agronomically acceptable cation, such as sodium,

and preferably sodium lauryl ether sulfate.

6. The pesticidal composition of any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising from 3 to 35pbw, preferably from 10 to 30pbw, of the anionic surfactant, such as an alkyl ether sulfate, preferably sodium lauryl ether sulfate, relative to the total weight of the composition.

7. The pesticide composition as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising less than 50pbw, preferably less than 35pbw, such as less than 20pbw, such as less than 18pbw, of said anionic surfactant, such as an alkyl ether sulfate, preferably sodium lauryl ether sulfate, relative to the total weight of the composition.

8. The pesticidal composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising an iminodipropionate salt having the formula (2):

(2)R-N-(CH₂CH₂COOY)₂

wherein:

r is C₆-C₂₂Alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl, and

-Y is an agronomically acceptable cation, such as sodium.

9. The pesticidal composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising sodium cocoiminodipropionate or sodium 2-ethylhexyl iminodipropionate, and preferably sodium 2-ethylhexyl iminodipropionate.

10. The pesticide composition as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 9 comprising from 1 to 50pbw, preferably from 2 to 40pbw, for example from 5 to 30pbw, of iminodipropionate, relative to the total weight of the composition.

11. The pesticide composition as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the weight ratio of the anionic surfactant to the iminodipropionate ranges from 95:5 to 10:90, such as from 90:10 to 20: 80.

12. The pesticidal composition of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a liquid carrier, such as water.

13. The pesticide composition as set forth in claim 12 comprising at least 20pbw, such as from 25 to 70pbw, such as from 30 to 65pbw, of water relative to the total weight of the composition.

14. The pesticide composition as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 13 comprising less than 30pbw, such as less than 25pbw, such as less than 20pbw, of any additional surfactant relative to the total weight of the composition.

15. A method of enhancing the efficacy of a pesticide composition comprising at least one pesticide, the method comprising adding at least one iminodipropionate to a pesticide composition comprising an effective amount of a pesticide and an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl carboxylates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, glutamates, isethionates, taurates, and sarcosinates.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pesticide composition is as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a pesticide composition, which at least comprises the following components:

a) an effective amount of a pesticide;

b) an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl carboxylates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, glutamates, isethionates, taurates and sarcosinates, especially alkyl ether sulfates; and

c) an imino dipropionate.

The present invention also provides a method of enhancing the efficacy of a pesticide composition comprising at least one pesticide, the method comprising adding at least one iminodipropionate to a pesticide composition comprising an effective amount of a pesticide and an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl carboxylates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, glutamates, isethionates, taurates and sarcosinates, especially alkyl ether sulfates.

The pesticide composition of the present invention advantageously exhibits at least one of the following characteristics:

a) acceptable storage stability, especially low temperature stability and/or

b) Acceptable pesticidal action, especially as compared to prior art formulations, due to the good bioefficacy enhancing properties of the iminodipropionate salts of the present invention, and/or

c) Acceptable viscosity, and/or

d) Low tendency to foam.

The pesticidal composition of the present invention exhibits advantageously excellent stability at low temperatures and is biologically effective.

Advantageously, the pesticide composition of the present invention is stable at temperatures below 0 ℃, even with high pesticide and/or adjuvant loading.

By virtue of their surfactant properties, it is hypothesized that the iminodipropionates of the present invention promote the uptake of pesticides into plants, particularly through the leaves of plants, and thus contribute to the enhancement of the activity of pesticides. Surprisingly, the surfactant properties of the iminodipropionate salts used according to the present invention result in advantageous activity improvements, especially when used in combination with the previously defined anionic surfactants (especially alkyl ether sulfates).

The formulations of the present invention also show very good biological effects compared to known formulations containing e.g. alkyl ether sulfates alone or prior art formulations containing a combination of alkyl ether sulfates and alkyl polyglucosides.

The concentrate pesticide composition obtained after dilution in water and the resulting aqueous pesticide formulation also advantageously show a reduced tendency to foam. The liquid formulations of the present invention are low-foam formulations with good storage characteristics.

The formulations of the invention are therefore particularly suitable for crop protection, where they are applied to the plants, parts of plants or the cultivation area, if appropriate after dilution with water.

Detailed Description

Throughout this specification, including the claims, unless specified otherwise, the terms "comprising" or "comprise" should be understood as being synonymous with the term "comprising at least one. The terms "between …" and "from … to …" are to be understood as encompassing the limits.

The use of the articles "a" and "the" means that the grammatical object of the article is one or more than one (i.e., at least one).

It should be noted that in designating any concentration, weight ratio or amount range, any particular upper concentration, weight ratio or amount may be associated with any particular lower concentration, weight ratio or amount, respectively.

As used herein, the term "alkyl" means a saturated hydrocarbon group that may be straight, branched, or cyclic, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, n-hexyl, cyclohexyl.

As used herein, the term "alkenyl" as a group or part of a group denotes an aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond and which may be straight or branched. The group may contain multiple double bonds in the normal chain, and is independently E or Z with respect to the orientation of each double bond. Exemplary alkenyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, octenyl, and nonenyl. The groups may be terminal or bridging groups.

As used herein, the term "hydroxyalkyl" means an alkyl group substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups, such as hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, and hydroxydecyl.

As used herein, the term "hydroxyalkenyl" means an alkenyl group substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups.

As used herein, the term "(Cn-Cm)" with respect to an organic group, wherein n and m are each integers, means that the group may contain from n to m carbon atoms per group.

As used herein, "pbw" means "weight percent" in each case, i.e., the ratio (in percent) of the weight of the component (active material) to the weight of the formulation.

As used herein, "low temperature" refers to a temperature below 10 ℃, preferably below 5 ℃, and more preferably 0 ℃ and below 0 ℃.

The term "good storage stability" is intended to mean compositions which remain homogeneous (i.e. exhibit substantially no phase separation (precipitation, syneresis, etc.)) and non-turbid over time, in particular when they are stored at-5 ℃ for at least one week. (standardized CIPAC test MT 39.3).

The term "easy to handle" or "flowable" is intended to mean a composition of appropriate viscosity, for example less than 2000cP, or more preferably less than 1000cP, measured at 20rpm and at the temperature under consideration, according to the standardized CIPAC test MT 192. Flowability can also be visually checked: when the sample is inverted, the liquid flows without resistance.

Pesticide

The pesticide composition of the present invention comprises an effective amount of at least one pesticide.

As used herein, the term "effective amount" with respect to the relative amount of pesticide in a pesticide composition means the relative amount that is effective for controlling the growth of a target plant when the pesticide composition is applied to the target plant at a given application rate.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the pesticide composition comprises an effective amount of at least one water-soluble or partially water-soluble pesticide.

Suitable pesticides are generally pesticides which are completely or partially dissolved in the aqueous phase during the preparation of the aqueous pesticide formulation, preferably at concentrations of active ingredient customary in practice of from 5 to 100% by weight, preferably from 10 to 90% by weight, more preferably from 20 to 80% by weight, based on the weight of active ingredient in the aqueous pesticide formulation.

Examples of such active ingredients are salts (saline) water-soluble active ingredients, such as glufosinate-ammonium, glyphosate-ammonium, paraquat, diquat and the like, especially glufosinate-ammonium.

Preference is given here to agrochemicals, in particular pesticides, whose solubility in water at room temperature is greater than 10mg of active ingredient per litre of water, preferably greater than 20mg/l, in particular greater than 30 mg/l.

According to any of the embodiments of the invention, the pesticide comprises one or more agrochemicals having formula (1) or salts thereof:

(1)

wherein:

-Z₁is of the formula-OM, -NHCH (CH)₃)CONHCH(CH₃)CO₂M or

-NHCH(CH₃)CONHCH[CH₂CH(CH₃)₂]CO₂A group of M, wherein M ═ H or a salt-forming cation.

The compound having formula (1) contains an asymmetric carbon atom. The L enantiomer is considered to be the biologically active isomer. The formula (1) thus includes in each case all stereoisomers and mixtures thereof, in particular racemates and biologically active enantiomers.

Examples of active ingredients having formula (1) are as follows:

glufosinate and its salts in racemic form, i.e. 2-amino-4- [ hydroxy (methyl) phosphono ] butanoic acid and its salts, such as ammonium or sodium salts,

the L enantiomer of glufosinate-ammonium and its salts, such as the ammonium or sodium salt,

bialaphos (bilinafos/bialaphos), i.e. L-2-amino-4- [ hydroxy (methyl) phosphono ] butanoyl-L-alanyl-L-alanine and its sodium salt.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the pesticide composition of the present invention may preferably comprise an ammonium salt of glufosinate-ammonium.

Also suitable as pesticides in the present invention are suitable combinations of active ingredients, such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, and also fertilizers, if desired.

Thus, in addition to the pesticide of the invention (and especially in addition to water-soluble or partially water-soluble pesticides, such as glufosinate salts), the composition of the invention may comprise one or more other agrochemicals, especially one or more other active ingredients.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the pesticide may be present in the composition of the present invention in an amount of from 1 to 90pbw, such as from 1 to 50pbw, preferably from 10 to 50pbw, such as from 15 to 50pbw, more preferably from 20 to 50pbw, relative to the total weight of the composition.

Advantageously, the presence of the iminodipropionate salt in the pesticidal composition of the present invention allows for the preparation of stable, high-load, concentrated pesticidal formulations.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pesticide may thus be present in the composition of the invention in an amount of at least 20pbw, such as from 20 to 50pbw, such as from 20 to 40pbw, especially from 22 to 30pbw, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The pesticide compositions of the present invention are typically concentrate formulations containing high pesticide loadings. Thus, the concentration previously provided can of course be reduced accordingly by dilution prior to administration.

The concentrations of the pesticides in the pesticide compositions given previously are the concentrations in the active ingredients.

Anionic surfactants

The pesticidal composition of the present invention comprises at least one anionic surfactant.

Anionic surfactants are generally known and include, for example, alkylaryl sulfonate surfactants, alpha-olefin sulfonate surfactants, paraffin sulfonate surfactants, alkyl ether sulfonate surfactants, alkyl sulfate surfactants, alkyl ether sulfate surfactants, alkyl carboxylate surfactants, alkyl ether carboxylate surfactants, monoalkyl phosphate surfactants, monoalkyl ether phosphate surfactants, dialkyl ether phosphate surfactants, alkyl sulfosuccinate surfactants, alkyl ether sulfosuccinate surfactants, glutamate surfactants, isethionate surfactants, taurate surfactants, and sarcosinate surfactants, including salts and mixtures of such compounds.

In one embodiment, the cationic counterion of the anionic surfactant in salt form is typically selected from sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, (C)₁-C₆) An alkylammonium cation.

Suitable alkaryl sulfonate surfactants, alkyl ether sulfonate surfactants, alpha-olefin sulfonate surfactants, paraffin sulfonate surfactants, and alkenyl sulfonate surfactants include, for example, calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium octadecylphenyl sulfonate, isopropylamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium xylene sulfonate, (C14-C16) sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate, sodium tridecylbenzene sulfonate, and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, disodium alkyldiphenyloxide disulfonate.

Suitable alkyl and alkyl ether sulfate surfactants include, for example, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, triethanolamine laureth sulfate, monoethanolamine laureth sulfate, diethanolamine laureth sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, potassium lauryl sulfate, potassium laureth sulfate, sodium trideceth sulfate, and ammonium tridecyl sulfate.

Suitable alkyl and alkyl ether sulfosuccinate surfactants include, for example, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate.

Suitable monoalkyl phosphate surfactants, monoalkyl ether phosphate surfactants, dialkyl ether phosphate surfactants include, for example, sodium monoalkyl phosphate, sodium dialkyl phosphate, alkoxylated tristyrylphenol phosphate.

Suitable alkyl ether carboxylate surfactants include, for example, sodium laureth carboxylate.

Suitable glutamate surfactants, isethionate surfactants, taurate surfactants, and sarcosinate surfactants include, for example, sodium lauroyl isethionate, potassium methylmyristyl taurate, ammonium oleoyl sarcosinate.

In one embodiment, the pesticidal composition of the present invention comprises at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl carboxylates, alkyl ether carboxylates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, glutamates, isethionates, taurates and sarcosinates.

In a preferred embodiment, the pesticidal composition of the present invention comprises at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl carboxylates, alkyl ether carboxylates, glutamates, isethionates, taurates and sarcosinates.

In an even preferred embodiment, the pesticidal composition of the present invention comprises at least one anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfonates, and alpha-olefin sulfonates.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pesticidal composition of the present invention comprises at least one alkyl ether sulfate.

Alkyl ether sulfates are generally defined as salts of sulfated adducts of ethylene and/or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols containing from 8 to 30 carbon atoms.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the pesticide composition of the present invention may comprise at least one alkyl ether sulfate having the formula (3):

(3)R'-[O-CH(R”)-CH₂]_m-O-S(O)₃ ^-X⁺

wherein:

-R' is an alkaneRadicals, e.g. of (C)₈-C₃₀) Alkyl, more typically (C)₈-C₁₈) The alkyl group, such as lauryl,

-each R' is independently H or methyl, and more typically H,

-m is an integer from 1 to 100, such as from 1 to 50, and more typically from 1 to 10, and

-X⁺is an agronomically acceptable cation such as sodium.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the alkyl ether sulfates used in the compositions of the present invention may be commercially available and may contain straight chain aliphatic groups having from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, typically from 12 to 16 carbon atoms.

The degree of ethoxylation may be from 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide, typically 2 to 4 moles of ethylene oxide.

Suitable alkyl ether sulfate surfactant compounds include, inter alia, (C)₈-C₁₀) Sodium alkyl ether sulfate.

Other suitable alkyl ether sulfate surfactant compounds include sodium lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium lauryl ether sulfate, and other salts of lauryl ether sulfate.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the composition of the present invention may preferably comprise sodium lauryl ether sulphate.

In particular, it may be mentioned that sodium lauryl ether sulphate is supplied as an approximately 70% active solution, which is derived from vegetable or petroleum sources.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the composition of the present invention may preferably comprise from 3 to 35pbw, preferably from 10 to 30pbw, of said anionic surfactant, such as an alkyl ether sulfate, preferably sodium lauryl ether sulfate, relative to the total weight of the composition.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the composition of the present invention may preferably comprise less than 50pbw, preferably less than 35pbw, such as less than 20pbw, such as less than 18pbw, of said anionic surfactant, such as an alkyl ether sulphate, preferably sodium lauryl ether sulphate, relative to the total weight of the composition.

As previously mentioned, the pesticide composition of the present invention may be a concentrate formulation containing a high pesticide and thus anionic surfactant (e.g. alkyl ether sulfate) loading. Thus, the concentration previously provided can of course be reduced accordingly by dilution prior to administration.

According to another embodiment, the composition of the invention may additionally or alternatively comprise at least one alkyl ether sulfate having from 1 to 9 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain and from 1 to 20 alkyleneoxy units, preferably from 1 to 12 alkyleneoxy units in the ether moiety, the term alkyl ether sulfate being intended to be derived from (C)₁-C₉) The compounds of the group of alkyl (poly) glycol ether sulfates, typically have a terminal sulfate group.

Typical examples of such alkyl ether sulfates include butyl (poly) glycol ether sulfate, pentyl (poly) glycol ether sulfate, hexyl (poly) glycol ether sulfate, heptyl (poly) glycol ether sulfate, octyl (poly) glycol ether sulfate, and nonyl (poly) glycol ether sulfate, the (poly) glycol ether moieties each containing 1 to 20 alkylene glycol units, preferably 1 to 10 ethyleneoxy units (more specifically, 1, 2-ethyleneoxy units), such as those disclosed in US8,637,432 incorporated herein by reference.

Iminodipropionate surfactant

The pesticide composition of the present invention comprises at least one iminodipropionate salt.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the pesticide composition of the present invention may comprise at least one iminodipropionate salt having formula (2):

(2)R-N-(CH₂CH₂COOY)₂

wherein:

r is C₆-C₂₂Alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl, and

-Y is an agronomically acceptable cation, such as sodium.

Examples of iminodidipropionates suitable in accordance with the present invention include sodium cocoiminodipropionate (e.g. from Sol @)Trade name of Vickers (Solvay)Products available under DP-122) and sodium 2-ethylhexyl iminodipropionate (e.g., from Solvay under the trade nameProducts available under OIP-40 and Mackam ODP-45M).

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the pesticidal composition of the present invention comprises sodium cocoiminodipropionate or sodium 2-ethylhexyl iminodipropionate, and preferably sodium 2-ethylhexyl iminodipropionate.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the pesticide composition of the present invention may preferably comprise from 1 to 50pbw, preferably from 2 to 40pbw, for example from 5 to 30pbw, of iminodipropionate relative to the total weight of the composition.

As previously mentioned, the pesticide compositions of the present invention may be concentrate formulations containing high pesticides and thus iminodipropionate loadings. Thus, the concentration previously provided can of course be reduced accordingly by dilution prior to administration.

According to any of the embodiments herein, the pesticide composition of the present invention further comprises a liquid carrier.

The liquid formulations of the invention can be prepared by methods customary in principle, i.e. by mixing the components with stirring or shaking, or by static mixing methods.

While the liquid pesticidal compositions of the present invention may be water-based or solvent-based, they are more typically water-based (aqueous).

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the pesticidal composition of the present invention may further comprise water. Preference is given to aqueous, liquid, concentrated, storage-stable formulations. Ready-to-use aqueous pesticide formulations are also considered to be formulations according to the invention.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the pesticide composition of the present invention may comprise at least 20pbw, such as from 25 to 70pbw, such as from 30 to 65pbw, of water relative to the total weight of the composition.

According to any of the embodiments of the invention, the weight ratio of the pesticide to the anionic surfactant (e.g. to the alkyl ether sulfate) is in the range of from 1:0.1 to 1:5, such as from 1:0.5 to 1: 3.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the weight ratio of the pesticide to the iminodipropionate is in the range from 1:0.05 to 1:5, such as from 1:0.05 to 1: 3.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the weight ratio of the anionic surfactant (e.g., the alkyl ether sulfate) to the iminodipropionate is in the range of from 95:5 to 10:90, such as from 90:10 to 20: 80.

While not intending to be bound by theory, it has been observed that maintaining the ratio of the various ingredients within these ranges can enhance the biological activity of the pesticide without compromising the stability of the composition, as compared to when used alone. In addition, the viscosity of the composition can be maintained within a desired range.

Unlike concentrated pesticide compositions of the prior art, the compositions of the present invention are stable, flowable and sprayable over a wide temperature range.

An important criterion for the storage stability of liquid pesticide compositions (e.g. glufosinate formulations) is phase stability.

With respect to the present invention, the term "stable" as used herein is intended to refer to physically stable compositions; i.e., a liquid composition that exists as a substantially continuous single phase.

A formulation is considered to have sufficient phase stability when it remains homogeneous over a wide temperature range and does not develop two or more separate phases and does not precipitate (form a further solid phase).

Phase stability is a key requirement for storage stable formulations, which may occur not only at high temperatures (e.g. during storage in sunlight or hot countries), but also at low temperatures (e.g. in winter or in cold climates).

The pesticidal compositions of the present invention are advantageously stable, appearing as a single phase that is substantially continuous at high temperatures (preferably temperatures greater than 45 ℃) and at low temperatures (preferably temperatures less than 10 ℃, more preferably less than 0 ℃, and especially preferably less than-5 ℃).

Typically, CIPAC tests (MT 46.3 for accelerated storage and MT 39.3 for cold storage) can be performed.

The pesticidal composition of the present invention is advantageously pourable.

According to any of the embodiments herein, the pesticide composition of the present invention has a viscosity of not more than 2000cps at temperatures as low as 0 ℃.

The viscosity of the composition typically does not exceed 2000cps, usually does not exceed 1500cps, more usually does not exceed 1000cps at temperatures as low as 0 ℃. The viscosity can be measured using any technique known to those skilled in the art, for example using a Brookfield syncro-lecric LVT type viscometer.

The apparent viscosity is measured by first stirring the sample with a glass rod for 10 seconds, placing the sample on the instrument, opening the instrument, and measuring the value after the measuring dial has been rotated 3 revolutions. Typically, measurements were made using a #3 rotor rotating at 30 RPM; however, depending on the viscosity of the sample, different rotors and different rotational speeds may be used, as known to those skilled in the art.

The pesticide composition of the present invention also advantageously shows a reduced tendency to foam.

The pesticidal compositions of the present invention are advantageously stable, pourable and low-foam compositions, having good storage properties, especially at low temperatures.

Typically, CIPAC tests (MT 47.3) can be performed.

The pH of the pesticide composition is generally in the range of from 3.5 to 8.0, preferably 4.0 to 8.0, and more preferably 5 to 8.

The pH is determined primarily by the pH of the solution of the aqueous pesticide in the form of the weak acid salt. The pH can be adjusted to a value different from the original pH of the mixture by addition of an acid, base or buffer salt.

Typically, CIPAC tests (MT 75.3) can be performed.

The compositions according to the invention may optionally further comprise other conventional formulation auxiliaries, such as solvents, inert materials, such as tackifiers, wetting agents, dispersants, emulsifiers, penetrants, preservatives, fillers, carriers and colorants, antifreeze agents and evaporation inhibitors (such as glycerol or ethylene glycol), and also pH- (buffers, acids and bases) or viscosity regulators (e.g. thickeners) and antifoams, according to any of the embodiments of the invention. The composition of the present invention may optionally further comprise a drift control agent.

Mention may in particular be made of polar organic solvents, such as:

aliphatic alcohols, for example lower alkanols, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol and butanol, or polyols, such as ethylene glycol, glycerol,

polar ethers such as Tetrahydrofuran (THF), dioxane, alkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers and alkylene glycol dialkyl ethers, for example propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether;

amides such as Dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylacetamide, dimethyloctanoylamide, dimethyldecanoamide ((R) Hallcomide), and N-alkylpyrrolidone;

ketones, such as acetone;

esters based on glycerol and carboxylic acids, such as monoacetic acid, diacetic acid and triacetin,

the amount of the lactam is such that,

a lactic acid ester having a chain length of 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the ester moiety,

a carbonic acid diester;

nitriles such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, butyronitrile and benzonitrile;

sulfoxides and sulfones, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and sulfolane.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the composition of the present invention preferably further comprises a solvent or solvent mixture which is completely or largely miscible with water.

In the case of a single phase, an aqueous-organic solution, solvent or solvent mixture which is completely or largely miscible with water is suitable.

Typical organic solvents include polar organic solvents such as alkylene glycol monoalkyl and dialkyl ethers such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and monoethyl ether.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the composition of the present invention may further comprise a polar organic solvent, for example alkylene glycol mono-and dialkyl ethers as previously described, for example in an amount of at least 0.5pbw, for example at least 1pbw, for example from 1 to 20pbw, for example from 1 to 10pbw, relative to the total weight of the formulation.

According to any of the embodiments of the present invention, the pesticide composition of the present invention may comprise less than 30pbw, such as less than 25pbw, such as less than 20pbw, of any additional surfactant relative to the total weight of the composition.

The iminodipropionate of the present invention may be used as a tank mix additive or formulated in a tank-in formulation.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention therefore provides a liquid adjuvant formulation containing at least one iminodipropionate salt of the present invention, which may be used to prepare a concentrated in-can pesticide formulation.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a liquid adjuvant formulation containing at least one iminodipropionate salt of the present invention, which may be used to prepare a tank mix with a pesticide or may be applied separately, simultaneously or sequentially with a pesticide on or in the soil of a plant or in which said plant is growing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the invention relates to a method of enhancing the efficacy of a composition comprising at least one pesticide, said method comprising adding to said pesticide composition at least one iminodipropionate as previously described.

The present invention also provides the use of the iminodipropionate salt as described previously, preferably in combination with other anionic surfactants, especially alkyl ether sulfates as described previously, as an additive for enhancing the activity of agrochemicals, preferably water soluble or partially water soluble pesticides, preferably glufosinate salts.

The present invention also provides the use of an iminodipropionate salt as described previously as an additive for enhancing the activity of a pesticide (preferably a water-soluble or partially water-soluble pesticide, preferably a glufosinate salt) in a composition containing less than 20pbw, such as less than 15pbw, such as less than 10pbw, such as less than 5pbw, such as less than 2pbw, such as less than 1pbw, such as substantially 0pbw, of a sulfosuccinate salt, relative to the total weight of the composition.

It is mentioned that the use of iminodipropionate as described previously for enhancing the activity of other agrochemicals is also covered according to another embodiment of the present invention, for example fertilizers and especially partially water-soluble fertilizers, preferably foliar fertilizers (fertilizers absorbed by the leaves of the plant), such as urea or foliar macro-or micronutrient fertilizers, including chelates.

The invention is further described by the following non-limiting examples, which further illustrate the invention and are not intended to, nor should they be construed to, limit the scope of the invention.

In the following examples, the amounts are on a weight basis (pbw-parts by weight) unless otherwise indicated.

Examples of the invention

Material

GLUFOSINATE Tech: glufosinate-ammonium, 2-amino-4- (hydroxymethylphosphinyl) butanoic acid monoammonium salt, in powder form, with an active ingredient content of 97.5pbw, from YongNong bioscience, ltd.

glufosinate-SL: GLUFOSINATE-ammonium, 2-amino-4- (hydroxymethylphosphinyl) butanoic acid monoammonium salt, 50pbw of active ingredient, prepared by the above GLUFOSINATE Tech.

OIP-40: sodium 2-ethylhexyl iminodipropionate, solids content 39.9pbw, from Solvay.

FKC 1000: betaine surfactant, active content 30pbw, from solvay corporation.

TRITON CG 110: alkyl polyglucoside, active content 58.7pbw, from Sigma Aldrich.

APG 0810: octanoyl/decanoyl glucoside, active ingredient content 50pbw, from Yangzhou Chenghua New materials Co., Ltd.

ESB N70 KT: sodium lauryl ether sulphate, active content 70pbw, from Solvay.

Dowanol PM: 1-methoxy-2-propanol from sigma aldrich.

DPM: di (propylene glycol) methyl ether, a mixture of isomers, from sigma aldrich.

EXAMPLE 1 stability test (Cold storage)

Glufosinate compositions were prepared according to the formulations in the upper table of tables 1-3 below ("S" means sample, "CS" means comparative sample). GLUFOSINATE SL (GLUFOSINATE ammonium salt base solution, 50 wt.%) was mixed with surfactant, Dowanol PM and water (magnetic stirring, 60ml glass stoppered container) to obtain final compositions (20g of each final composition).

The stability of the compositions was tested at-5 ℃. After one week (-5 ℃), the appearance and pourability of the composition were visually observed. The results are shown in the lower tables of tables 1-3.

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

TABLE 3

The results show that the compositions of the invention exhibit good storage stability under low temperature conditions and are flowable. In contrast, compositions containing alkylpolyglucosides (CS2-CS6) were cloudy and difficult to flow under low temperature conditions. The composition containing sodium lauryl ether sulphate (CS1) without additional surfactant was cloudy under low temperature conditions. In addition, compositions containing betaine (CS7-CS9) exhibit poor stability (phase separation and very difficult flow) under low temperature conditions.

Example 2 viscosity and stability testing

A glufosinate composition was prepared according to the method in example 1.

The stability of the compositions was tested at different temperatures.

After one week (-5 ℃ and-10 ℃), the appearance and pourability of the composition was visually observed.

Viscosity, model number: RVDV-II +, rotor #3, measured at 20 ℃ at 100 rpm.

The results are shown in the lower table of table 4.

TABLE 4

The results show that the composition of the present invention (S6) exhibits good storage stability and low viscosity. In contrast, the composition containing alkyl polyglucoside (CS10) had a much higher viscosity at 20 ℃.

Example 3 efficacy testing

Glufosinate compositions were prepared according to the formulations in the upper table of table 4.

The efficacy of the formulation was tested on large crabgrass. When the plants reached the 3-leaf stage, the plants were grown at room temperature (25-35 ℃) and sprayed with the glufosinate formulation. The dosage of the glufosinate formulation was 140 ga.i./Ha. Groups of untreated plants were used as controls.

To assess herbicidal efficacy, all plants tested were examined by a skilled technician who recorded the percent inhibition, a visual measurement of the effectiveness of each treatment group (in triplicate) by comparison to the control group (untreated plants, in triplicate). An inhibition of 0% indicates no killing, and an inhibition of 100% indicates complete death of all plants.

The results are shown below:

the results show that the composition of the invention (S6) provides satisfactory and even improved bioefficacy compared to the composition containing alkylpolyglucoside (CS 10).