Nonaqueous pesticide suspension comprising a water soluble solvent, an inorganic thickener, and an alkoxylate

Abstract

Provided herein is a liquid, nonaqueous composition including a pesticide in form of suspended particles, a water soluble solvent, an inorganic thickener, and an alkoxylate. Further provided herein is a method for the preparation of the composition, wherein the pesticide, the water soluble solvent, the inorganic thickener, and the alkoxylate are contacted. Additionally provided herein is a method for controlling phytopathogenic fungi, undesired plant growth, and/or undesired attack by insects or mites, and/or for regulating the growth of plants, wherein the composition acts on the particular pests, their habitat, the plants to be protected from the particular pest, the soil, the undesired plants, the useful plants, and/or the habitat of each plant.

Claims

1. A liquid, nonaqueous composition comprising: a pesticide in a form of suspended particles; at least 15 wt % of a water soluble solvent; up to 10 wt % of water insoluble solvents; from 0.01 to 5 wt % of an inorganic thickener selected from fumed silica particles; and an alkoxylate; wherein the sum of the amounts of the water soluble solvent and the alkoxylate is at least 40 wt % of the composition.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the silica particles are hydrophilic silica particles.

3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the silica particles are free of a modification by treatment with any of a silane, a siloxane, and a mixture thereof.

4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic thickener comprises silica particles with a specific surface area in a range from 50 to 500 m.sup.2/g.

5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic thickener comprises silica particles with an average primary particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm.

6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the pH value of an aqueous dispersion of the silica particles is in a range from 2.0 to 5.0.

7. The composition according to claim 1, wherein weight loss on ignition of the silica particles is up to 4.0 wt %.

8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the water soluble solvent comprises one or more of: propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, and dimethyl sulfoxide.

9. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising a block polymer surfactant.

10. The composition according to claim 9, wherein the block polymer surfactant is an alkoxylate block polymer of the A-B-A type comprising blocks of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide, and wherein the alkoxylate block polymer is terminated on both ends by hydroxyl groups.

11. The composition according to claim 1, comprising less than 1 wt % of water.

12. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the alkoxylate is selected from alkoxylated alkanols.

13. A method for the preparation of the composition as defined in claim 1, the method comprising contacting the pesticide, the water soluble solvent, the inorganic thickener selected from fumed silica particles, and the alkoxylate to prepare the composition.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising contacting a block polymer surfactant with the composition.

15. A method for at least one of controlling phytopathogenic fungi, undesired plant growth, and undesired attacks by one of insects and mites and regulating the growth of plants, the method comprising applying the composition as defined in claim 1 on at least one of pests, a habitat of the pests, plants to be protected from the pests, soil, undesired plants, useful plants, and a habitat of the useful plants.

Description

EXAMPLES

(1) Chemical stabilizer: liquid alkaline organic amine compound.

(2) Sulfonate A: Sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate formaldehyde polycondensate, water soluble powder.

(3) Alkoxylate A: Short chain alkoxylated alkanol, nonionic ethoxylated and propoxylated (diblock sequence) butanol with HLB 17, cloude point about 75° C., melting point about 30 to 35° C.

(4) Alkoxylate B: liquid nonionic ethoxylated and propoxylated (diblock sequence) C12-18 aliphatic alcohol, water-insoluble, soluble in alcohols, solidification temperature about −5 to −8° C.

(5) Cosurfactant A: nonionic ethoxylated tristyrylphenol surfactant, HLB 10 to 11.

(6) Block Polymer A: nonionic EO-PO-EO triblockcopolymer, average molecular weight about 6000 Da, ethylene oxide (EO) content about 40 wt %, melting point about 30-33° C., HLB 12-18, solubility in water at least 10 wt % at 25° C.

(7) Insecticide A: 1-(1,2-dimethylpropyl)-N-ethyl-5-methyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide

(8) Insecticide B: 1-[1-(1-cyanocyclopropypethyl]-N-ethyl-5-methyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide

(9) Insecticide C: N-ethyl-1-[(1S,2S)-2-fluoro-1-methyl-propyl]-5-methyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide

(10) Silica A: White powder, hydrophilic, untreated, fumed silica, specific surface area (BET) about 300 m.sup.2/g; SiO.sub.2 content at least 99.8 wt %; average primary particle diameter 12 nm, tapped density about 0.05 kg/m.sup.3, pH in water (4 wt %) about 3.7 to 4.6; ignition loss (1000° C.) up to 1.0 wt %; loss on drying up to 1.5 wt %.

(11) Silica B: White powder, hydrophilic, untreated, fumed silica, specific surface area (BET) about 200 m.sup.2/g; average primary particle diameter 12 nm, tapped density about 0.05 kg/m.sup.3, pH in water (4 wt %) about 3.8 to 4.6; ignition loss (1000° C.) up to 1.0 wt %; loss on drying up to 1.5 wt %; SiO.sub.2 content at least 99.8 wt %.

(12) Silica C: White powder, hydrophilic, fumed silica, specific surface area (BET) about 200 m.sup.2/g; tapped density about 0.05 kg/m.sup.3, pH in water (4 wt %) about 3.8 to 4.3; ignition loss (1000° C.) up to 2 wt %; average primary particle diameter below 30 nm; average aggregate particle size 200-300 nm, loss on drying up to 1.5 wt %; SiO2 content at least 99.8 wt %.

Example 1: Metaflumizone Suspension in Polyethylene Glycol Continuous Phase

(13) A liquid metaflumizone suspension having the following composition was prepared:

(14) TABLE-US-00001 Component Amount (wt/wt %) Metaflumizone 15 Sulfonate A 4 Alkoxylate A 2 Silica B 1.0 Polyethylene Glycol 78

(15) The pesticidal suspension was prepared by following procedure:

(16) 1. Add metaflumizone, Sulfonate A, into Polyethylene Glycol (average molecular weight of 400) while agitating. Continue agitation until homogenous.

(17) 2. The above mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

(18) 3. Add Silica B to the above mixture, mixed until uniform.

(19) Three prepared samples were stored under the following conditions: (a) one sample was stored at −10° C., (b) another sample was stored at F/T (daily cycling temperature from −10° C. to 30° C.) and (c) a third sample was stored at 54° C. for two weeks. The particle size was measured before/after storage by Malvern Mastersizer 2000.

(20) The suspension stability was determined by visual observation of sample phase separation after storage as well as particle size increase before/after storage at different storage temperatures. It was found there is no increase in particle size at all above storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension of metaflumizone was physically stable.

Example 2: Abamectin Suspension in Propylene Glycol Continuous Phase

(21) An abamectin suspension having the following composition was prepared:

(22) TABLE-US-00002 Component Amount (wt/wt %) Abamectin 20 Cosurfactant A 14 Block Polymer A 20 Alkoxylate B 10 Thickener 1.0 1,2-propylene glycol 35

(23) The pesticidal suspension was prepared by following procedure:

(24) 1. Add abamectin, Cosurfactant A, Block Polymer A, Alkoxylate B into the propylene glycol while agitating. Continue agitation until homogenous.

(25) 2. The above mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

(26) 3. Add Silica B to the above mixture, mix until uniform.

(27) Three samples were stored and analyzed as described in Example 1. It was found there is no increase in particle size at all above storage temperatures and no significant phase separation occurred, therefore, the abamectin suspension was physically stable.

Example 3: Glyphosate Acid Suspension

(28) A mixture of Dicamba Na salt and Glyphosate acid having the following composition was prepared:

(29) TABLE-US-00003 Component Amount (wt/wt %) Dicamba Na 10 Glyphosate acid 20 Sulfonate A 4 Alkoxylate A 2 Thickener 1.0 1,2-propylene glycol 63

(30) The pesticidal suspension was prepared by following procedure:

(31) 1. Add Dicamba Na, Sulfonate A, Stabilizer into 1,2-propylene glycol while agitating. Continue agitation until Dicamba Na completely dissolved.

(32) 2. Add Glyphosate acid into above mixture while agitating. Continue agitation until homogenous.

(33) 3. The above mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

(34) 4. Add Silica B to the above mixture, mix until uniform.

(35) Three samples were stored and analyzed as described in Example 1. It was found there is no increase in particle size at all above storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable.

Example 4: Comparison of Various Inorganic Thickeners

(36) Afidopyropen and formulation additives (except Thickener) were added into 1,2-propylene glycol while agitating. The agitation was continued until afidopyropen was completely dissolved. Then broflanilide and Thickener (type et following Table Entries 1 to 9) was added into the mixture while agitating. The agitation was continued until homogenous. The mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

(37) TABLE-US-00004 Amount (wt/wt %) Afidopyropen 1.5 Broflanilide 15 Cosurfactant A 14 Block Polymer A 16.3 Alkoxylate B 30 Chemical stabilizer 0.2 Thickener (cf Table) 1 1,2-propylene glycol 22

(38) Samples of each mixture with the various Thickeners was stored at 54° C. for two weeks and the phase separation analyzed after storage. The results are summarized in the following Table. Entries 1 to 9 represent comparative examples.

(39) TABLE-US-00005 Phase separation after Entry Thickener Comment storage 1 without thickener — 46.2% 2 Gelwhite ® GP Montmorillonite clay 42.0% 3 Starch National 1213 Organic thickener 41.7% 4 Cab-O-Sil ® TS-610 Hydrophobic silica, 39.2% modified by treatement with dimethyldichloro- silane 5 Xanthan gum Organic thickener 37.5% 6 Aerosil ® R816 Hydrophobic silica, 37.5% modified by treatement with silanes or silox- anes 7 Aerosil ® R106 Hydrophobic silica, 36.4% modified by treatement with silanes or silox- anes 8 Syloid ® 244 Pyrogenic silica, pH 35.4% 6-8 in water, average pore volume 1.6 ml/g 9 Bentone ® 1000 Montmorillonite clay 34.7% 10 Silica A Fumed silica, untreated 13.3% 11 Silica B Fumed silica, untreated 12.2% 12 Silica C Fumed silica, untreated 4.3%

Example 5: Metaflumizone Suspension in Propylene Glycol

(40) Afidopyropen and formulation additives (except Silica B) were added into 1,2-propylene glycol while agitating. The agitation was continued until afidopyropen was completely dissolved. Then metaflumizone and Silica B was added into the mixture while agitating. The agitation was continued until homogenous. The mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

(41) TABLE-US-00006 Amount (wt/wt %) Afidopyropen 1.5 Metaflumizone 15 Cosurfactant A 14 Block Polymer A 16.3 Alkoxylate B 30 Chemical stabilizer 0.2 Silica B 1.0 1,2-propylene glycol 22

(42) Samples were stored and analyzed as in Example 1. It was found there was no increase in particle size at all storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable.

Example 6: Dinotefuran Suspension in Propylene Glycol

(43) Afidopyropen and formulation additives (except Silica B) were added into 1,2-propylene glycol while agitating. The agitation was continued until afidopyropen was completely dissolved. Then dinotefuran and Silica B was added into the mixture while agitating. The agitation was continued until homogenous. The mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

(44) TABLE-US-00007 Amount (wt/wt %) Afidopyropen 1.4 Dinotefuran 13.6 Cosurfactant A 14 Block Polymer A 22.3 Alkoxylate B 29 Chemical stabilizer 0.2 Silica B 1.5 1,2-propylene glycol 18

(45) Samples were stored and analyzed as in Example 1. It was found there was no increase in particle size at all storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable.

Example 7: Dinotefuran Suspension in Propylene Glycol

(46) Afidopyropen and formulation additives (except Silica B) were added into 1,2-propylene glycol while agitating. The agitation was continued until afidopyropen was completely dissolved. Then dinotefuran and Silica B was added into the mixture while agitating. The agitation was continued until homogenous. The mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

(47) TABLE-US-00008 Amount (wt/wt %) Afidopyropen 1.5 Dinotefuran 15 Cosurfactant A 15 Block Polymer A 14.6 Alkoxylate B 32 Chemical stabilizer 0.2 Silica B 1.7 1,2-propylene glycol 20

(48) Samples were stored and analyzed as in Example 1. It was found there was no increase in particle size at all storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable.

Example 8: Broflanilide and Insecticide a Suspension in Propylene Glycol

(49) Broflanilide, Insecticide A, and all formulation additives were added into 1,2-propylene glycol while agitating. The agitation was continued until homogenous. The mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

(50) TABLE-US-00009 Amount (wt/wt %) Broflanilide 10 Insecticide A 10 Cosurfactant A 14 Block Polymer A 12 Alkoxylate B 20 Silica B 1 1,2-propylene glycol 33

(51) Samples were stored and analyzed as in Example 1. It was found there was no increase in particle size at all storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable.

Example 9: Broflanilide and Insecticide B Suspension in Propylene Glycol

(52) The Example 8 was repeated with Insecticide B instead of Insecticide A. Again, it was found there was no increase in particle size at all storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable.

Example 10: Broflanilide and Insecticide C Suspension in Propylene Glycol

(53) The Example 8 was repeated with Insecticide C instead of Insecticide A. Again, it was found there was no increase in particle size at all storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable.