ADJUVANTS FOR AGROCHEMICAL FORMULATIONS

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aqueous formulation comprising an agrochemical at a concentration of up to 45% w/w; a non-ionic surfactant with a cloud point of from 35 C. to 55 C. at a concentration of up to 60% w/w; an ethoxylated or propoxylated sorbitan ester at a concentration from 1% to 40% w/w; an alkyl polyglucoside, propylene glycol, glycerol or a glycol ether or two or more of these compounds, at a concentration from 1% to 40% w/w; and water at a concentration of at least 1% w/w. The formulation provides low and high temperature stability.

Claims

1. A formulation which comprises (i) an agrochemical at a concentration of up to 45% w/w; (ii) a non-ionic surfactant with a cloud point of from 35 C. to 55 C. and which is not component (iii) or (iv) at a concentration of up to 60% w/w; (iii) an ethoxylated or propoxylated sorbitan ester at a concentration from 1% to 40% w/w; (iv) an alkyl polyglucoside, propylene glycol, glycerol, a glycol ether or two or more of these compounds, at a concentration from 1% to 40% w/w; and (v) water at a concentration of at least 1% w/w.

2. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 where the agrochemical (i) is present at a concentration of from 0.1 to 25% w/w.

3. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 where the agrochemical (i) is in solution at a concentration from 1 to 20% w/w.

4. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 where the agrochemical (i) is imazamox.

5. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 where the non-ionic surfactant has a cloud point from 40 C. to 50 C.

6. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 where the non-ionic surfactant is one which has a viscosity in water at 23 C., at a concentration of from 10 to 90% w/w, of less than 5000 mPas.

7. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 where the concentration of the ethoxylated or propoxylated sorbitan ester (iii) is from 5 to 30% w/w.

8. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 where the concentration of the ethoxylated or propoxylated sorbitan ester (iii) is from 8 to 20% w/w.

9. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 where (iii) is a polysorbate-type nonionic surfactant formed by the ethoxylation of sorbitan before the addition of lauric, palmitic, stearic or oleic acid.

10. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 where (iii) a polysorbate-type nonionic surfactant formed by the ethoxylation of sorbitan before the addition of lauric acid.

11. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 where the concentration of (iv) is from 5 to 30% w/w.

12. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 where the concentration of (iv) is from 8 to 20% w/w.

13. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 where (iv) is propylene glycol.

Description

EXAMPLE 1

[0038] Table 1 shows a series of formulations which contain the adjuvant Plurafac LF 221 in water. The adjuvant was added to water at the concentrations shown and stored at 10 C., 20 C. and 50 C. Samples which were found to be clear isotropic solutions after 24 hours were classified as a pass whereas all other results were classed as a fail. As can be seen from the table it is not possible to use this adjuvant freely in water within this range of temperatures and concentrations.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Temperature/ Plurafac LF Water/ Result C. 221/% w/w % w/w Pass 10 10 90 Fail 10 20 80 Pass 10 50 50 Pass 20 10 90 Pass 20 20 80 Pass 20 50 50 Fail 50 10 90 Fail 50 20 80 Fail 50 50 50

EXAMPLE 2

[0039] A similar series of experiments was set up as for Example 1 however in this case the water soluble pesticide imazamox was also added to the formulations. These formulations are more complicated than those shown in Table 1 and they reflect the greater difficulty of formulating with a pesticide present. The results of the table are similar to those from Table 1 in that they show that the adjuvant cannot be used freely across a range of temperatures and concentrations.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Temperature Plurafac LF Water Imazamox Result C. 221 % w/w % w/w % w/w Fail 10 10 81 9 Fail 10 20 72 8 Fail 10 50 45 5 Fail 5 10 81 9 Pass 5 20 72 8 Pass 5 50 45 5 Pass 20 10 81 9 Pass 20 20 72 8 Pass 20 50 45 5 Fail 50 10 81 9 Fail 50 20 72 8 Fail 50 50 45 5

EXAMPLE 3

[0040] Propylene glycol (PG) is sometimes added to surfactant samples in order to break up liquid crystals and to improve the solution behaviour of the samples. These examples show that the addition of propylene glycol is not sufficient to prevent problems with simple mixtures of Plurafac LF 221 and water.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Temperature Plurafac LF Water PG Result C. 221 % w/w % w/w % w/w Pass 10 10 81 9 Pass 10 10 72 18 Pass 10 20 72 8 Pass 10 20 64 16 Pass 10 50 45 5 Pass 10 50 40 10 Pass 20 10 81 9 Pass 20 10 72 18 Pass 20 20 72 8 Pass 20 20 64 16 Pass 20 50 45 5 Pass 20 50 40 10 Fail 50 10 81 9 Fail 50 10 72 18 Fail 50 20 72 8 Fail 50 20 64 16 Fail 50 50 45 5 Fail 50 50 40 10

EXAMPLE 4

[0041] Table 4 shows formulations of Plurafac LF221 in water with added propylene glycol (PG). In this Example the formulations have been complicated further by the addition of imazamox which is a representative pesticide. These formulations are more complicated than those in Example 3 and they display the increasing difficulty of formulating Plurafac LF 221.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 4 Temperature Plurafac LF Water Imazamox PG Result C. 221 % w/w % w/w % w/w % w/w Pass 10 10 72.9 8.1 9 Pass 10 20 64.8 7.2 8 Pass 10 50 40.5 4.5 5 Pass 10 10 64.8 7.2 18 Pass 10 20 57.6 6.4 16 Pass 10 50 36 4 10 Fail 10 60 28.8 3.2 8 Pass 5 10 72.9 8.1 9 Pass 5 20 64.8 7.2 8 Pass 5 50 40.5 4.5 5 Pass 5 10 64.8 7.2 18 Pass 5 20 57.6 6.4 16 Pass 5 50 36 4 10 Fail 5 60 28.8 3.2 8 Pass 20 10 72.9 8.1 9 Pass 20 20 64.8 7.2 8 Pass 20 50 40.5 4.5 5 Pass 20 10 64.8 7.2 18 Pass 20 20 57.6 6.4 16 Pass 20 50 36 4 10 Pass 20 60 28.8 3.2 8 Fail 50 10 72.9 8.1 9 Fail 50 20 64.8 7.2 8 Fail 50 50 40.5 4.5 5 Fail 50 10 64.8 7.2 18 Fail 50 20 57.6 6.4 16 Pass 50 50 36 4 10 Pass 50 60 28.8 3.2 8

EXAMPLE 5

[0042] These formulations contain the adjuvant Plurafac LF221 in water with added amounts of Tween 20. This surfactant is helpful in preventing compatibility problems at different temperatures although it does not always prevent failure; Table 5 (In combination with the set of data in Table 6) shows that it is not a complete solution to the problem of preventing failure.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 5 Temperature Plurafac Water Tween Result C. LF221 % w/w % w/w 20 % w/w Fail 10 10 80 10 Pass 10 10 60 30 Pass 10 20 70 10 Pass 10 20 50 30 Pass 10 50 40 10 Pass 10 50 20 30 Pass 20 10 80 10 Pass 20 10 60 30 Pass 20 20 70 10 Pass 20 20 50 30 Pass 20 50 40 10 Pass 20 50 20 30 Pass 50 10 80 10 Pass 50 10 60 30 Pass 50 20 70 10 Pass 50 20 50 30 Pass 50 50 40 10 Pass 50 50 20 30

EXAMPLE 6

[0043] This data set is similar to those shown in Table 5 however imazamox has also been added to the formulations to increase the complexity and to show that the addition of a pesticide makes the problem worse. It can be seen in table 6 that there are a lot of failures.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 6 Temperature Plurafac Water Imazamox Tween Result C. LF221 % w/w % w/w % w/w 20 % w/w Pass 10 0 81 9 10 Pass 10 0 72 8 20 Fail 10 0 45 5 50 Fail 10 10 72 8 10 Pass 10 10 63 7 20 Fail 10 10 45 5 40 Fail 10 10 27 3 60 Fail 10 20 63 7 10 Pass 10 20 54 6 20 Fail 10 20 45 5 30 Fail 10 20 27 3 50 Fail 10 30 36 4 30 Fail 10 40 27 3 30 Fail 10 50 36 4 10 Fail 10 50 27 3 20 Pass 5 0 81 9 10 Pass 5 0 72 8 20 Fail 5 0 45 5 50 Pass 5 10 72 8 10 Pass 5 10 63 7 20 Pass 5 10 45 5 40 Fail 5 10 27 3 60 Pass 5 20 63 7 10 Pass 5 20 54 6 20 Pass 5 20 45 5 30 Fail 5 20 27 3 50 Fail 5 30 36 4 30 Pass 5 40 27 3 30 Pass 5 50 36 4 10 Fail 5 50 27 3 20 Pass 20 0 81 9 10 Pass 20 0 72 8 20 Pass 20 0 45 5 50 Pass 20 10 72 8 10 Pass 20 10 63 7 20 Pass 20 10 45 5 40 Pass 20 10 27 3 60 Pass 20 20 63 7 10 Pass 20 20 54 6 20 Pass 20 20 45 5 30 Pass 20 20 27 3 50 Pass 20 30 36 4 30 Pass 20 40 27 3 30 Pass 20 50 36 4 10 Pass 20 50 27 3 20 Pass 50 0 81 9 10 Pass 50 0 72 8 20 Pass 50 0 45 5 50 Pass 50 10 72 8 10 Pass 50 10 63 7 20 Pass 50 10 45 5 40 Pass 50 10 27 3 60 Pass 50 20 63 7 10 Pass 50 20 54 6 20 Pass 50 20 45 5 30 Pass 50 20 27 3 50 Pass 50 30 36 4 30 Pass 50 40 27 3 30 Fail 50 50 36 4 10 Pass 50 50 27 3 20

EXAMPLE 7

[0044] This set of formulations contains all the ingredients of the present invention however it displays the fact that the concentration of those ingredients is important. In these examples the amount of Tween 20 is too high and so there are a large number of failures. These are shown in Table 7.

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 7 Temperature Plurafac LF221 Water Imazamox Tween 20 PG Result C. % w/w % w/w % w/w % w/w % w/w Fail 10 0 40.5 4.5 50 5 Fail 10 10 40.5 4.5 40 5 Fail 10 20 40.5 4.5 30 5 Fail 10 30 32.4 3.6 30 4 Fail 10 10 36 4 40 10 Fail 10 20 36 4 30 10 Fail 5 0 40.5 4.5 50 5 Pass 5 10 40.5 4.5 40 5 Pass 5 20 40.5 4.5 30 5 Pass 5 30 32.4 3.6 30 4 Pass 5 10 36 4 40 10 Pass 5 20 36 4 30 10 Pass 20 0 40.5 4.5 50 5 Pass 20 10 40.5 4.5 40 5 Pass 20 20 40.5 4.5 30 5 Pass 20 30 32.4 3.6 30 4 Pass 20 10 36 4 40 10 Pass 20 20 36 4 30 10 Pass 50 0 40.5 4.5 50 5 Pass 50 10 40.5 4.5 40 5 Pass 50 20 40.5 4.5 30 5 Pass 50 30 32.4 3.6 30 4 Pass 50 10 36 4 40 10 Pass 50 20 36 4 30 10

EXAMPLE 8

[0045] This set of formulations contains all the ingredients of the present invention however it displays the fact that the concentration of those ingredients is important. In these examples the amount of propylene glycol is too low and so there are a large number of failures. These are shown in Table 8.

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 8 Temperature Plurafac LF Water Tween PG Result C. 221 % w/w % w/w 20 % w/w % w/w Fail 10 50 18 30 2 Fail 10 50 16 30 4 Fail 50 50 18 30 2 Fail 50 50 16 30 4

EXAMPLE 9

[0046] This set of formulations contains all the ingredients of the present invention however it displays the fact that the concentration of those ingredients is important. In these examples the amount of propylene glycol is too low and so there are a large number of failures. These formulations also contain imazamox to show the influence of the pesticide. These are shown in Table 9.

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 9 Temperature Plurafac LF 221 Water Imazamox Tween 20 PG Result C. % w/w % w/w % w/w % w/w % w/w Fail 10 60 24.3 2.7 10 3 Fail 5 60 24.3 2.7 10 3 Fail 20 60 24.3 2.7 10 3 Fail 50 60 24.3 2.7 10 3

EXAMPLE 10

[0047] In this set of formulations the present invention is clearly demonstrated; the right ingredients are present at the right concentrations to allow the formulation of the adjuvant Plurafac LF 221 to be successfully formulated across a wide range of both concentration and temperature. The results are seen in Table 10.

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 10 Temperature Plurafac LF Water Tween PG Result C. 221 % w/w % w/w 20 % w/w % w/w Pass 10 10 72 10 8 Pass 10 10 64 10 16 Pass 10 10 54 30 6 Pass 10 10 48 30 12 Pass 10 20 63 10 7 Pass 10 20 56 10 14 Pass 10 20 45 30 5 Pass 10 20 40 30 10 Pass 10 50 36 10 4 Pass 10 50 32 10 8 Pass 20 10 72 10 8 Pass 20 10 64 10 16 Pass 20 10 54 30 6 Pass 20 10 48 30 12 Pass 20 20 63 10 7 Pass 20 20 56 10 14 Pass 20 20 45 30 5 Pass 20 20 40 30 10 Pass 20 50 36 10 4 Pass 20 50 32 10 8 Pass 20 50 18 30 2 Pass 20 50 16 30 4 Pass 50 10 72 10 8 Pass 50 10 64 10 16 Pass 50 10 54 30 6 Pass 50 10 48 30 12 Pass 50 20 63 10 7 Pass 50 20 56 10 14 Pass 50 20 45 30 5 Pass 50 20 40 30 10 Pass 50 50 36 10 4 Pass 50 50 32 10 8

EXAMPLE 11

[0048] In this set of formulations the invention is clearly demonstrated; the right ingredients are present at the right concentrations to allow the formulation of the adjuvant Plurafac LF 221 to be successfully formulated across a wide range of both concentration and temperature. In these formulations the pesticide imazamox has also been added to demonstrate that the invention works with pesticides. The results are seen in Table 11.

TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 11 Temperature Plurafac LF221 Water Imazamox Tween 20 PG Result C. % w/w % w/w % w/w % w/w % w/w Pass 10 0 72.9 8.1 10 9 Pass 10 0 64.8 7.2 20 8 Pass 10 10 64.8 7.2 10 8 Pass 10 10 56.7 6.3 20 7 Pass 10 20 56.7 6.3 10 7 Pass 10 20 48.6 5.4 20 6 Pass 10 50 32.4 3.6 10 4 Pass 10 10 57.6 6.4 10 16 Fail 10 10 50.4 5.6 20 14 Pass 10 20 50.4 5.6 10 14 Pass 10 20 43.2 4.8 20 12 Pass 10 30 36 4 20 10 Pass 10 40 36 4 10 10 Pass 5 0 72.9 8.1 10 9 Pass 5 0 64.8 7.2 20 8 Pass 5 10 64.8 7.2 10 8 Pass 5 10 56.7 6.3 20 7 Pass 5 20 56.7 6.3 10 7 Pass 5 20 48.6 5.4 20 6 Pass 5 50 32.4 3.6 10 4 Pass 5 10 57.6 6.4 10 16 Pass 5 10 50.4 5.6 20 14 Pass 5 20 50.4 5.6 10 14 Pass 5 20 43.2 4.8 20 12 Pass 5 30 36 4 20 10 Pass 5 40 36 4 10 10 Pass 20 0 72.9 8.1 10 9 Pass 20 0 64.8 7.2 20 8 Pass 20 10 64.8 7.2 10 8 Pass 20 10 56.7 6.3 20 7 Pass 20 20 56.7 6.3 10 7 Pass 20 20 48.6 5.4 20 6 Pass 20 50 32.4 3.6 10 4 Pass 20 10 57.6 6.4 10 16 Pass 20 10 50.4 5.6 20 14 Pass 20 20 50.4 5.6 10 14 Pass 20 20 43.2 4.8 20 12 Pass 20 30 36 4 20 10 Pass 20 40 36 4 10 10 Pass 50 0 72.9 8.1 10 9 Pass 50 0 64.8 7.2 20 8 Pass 50 10 64.8 7.2 10 8 Pass 50 10 56.7 6.3 20 7 Pass 50 20 56.7 6.3 10 7 Pass 50 20 48.6 5.4 20 6 Pass 50 50 32.4 3.6 10 4 Pass 50 10 57.6 6.4 10 16 Pass 50 10 50.4 5.6 20 14 Pass 50 20 50.4 5.6 10 14 Pass 50 20 43.2 4.8 20 12 Pass 50 30 36 4 20 10 Pass 50 40 36 4 10 10

EXAMPLE 12

[0049] Table 12 provides examples of surfactants that are within the scope of the invention and also some that are not. The measured values of viscosity were made on 50% w/w aqueous solutions of each surfactant. The viscosity against concentration relationship for surfactant solutions is complicated and it should be noted that the maximum viscosity can occur at lower or higher concentrations than 50% w/w. The literature values for cloud point were measured using BS EN1890:2006, method E as explained elsewhere in this document.

TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 12 Brookfield 50% aqueous Cloud mPas solution Point C. Surfactant (literature) (measured) (literature) Plurafac 132 LF 25 38 Lutensol XL 40 40 46 Plurafac 120 LF 40 Low viscosity 48 Plurafac 131 LF 40 42 Lutensol TO3 50 40 Plurafac 231 LF 50 Low viscosity 35 Plurafac 224 LF 55 35 Plurafac 403 LF 60 51 Plurafac 500 LF 65 38 Lutensol XP 69 70 62 Lutensol XL 70 70 68 Plurafac 223 LF 70 41 Plurafac 305 LF 70 Low viscosity 44 Lutensol TO5 80 62 Lutensol TO565 80 66 Lutensol TO6 80 67 Lutensol XL 60 80 69 Plurafac 711 LF 80 49 Plurafac 900 LF 85 46 Lutensol XP 40 90 44 Lutensol XP 50 90 56 Lutensol XP 79 90 68 Lutensol XP 89 90 74 Lutensol TO389 100 70 Lutensol TO65 100 68 Lutensol TO7 100 70 Lutensol XP 99 100 76 Lutensol TO89 120 80 Lutensol XL 79 120 68 Lutensol XL 80 120 74 Plurafac 226 LF 120 46 Lutensol XP 60 130 62 Plurafac 431 LF 130 Low viscosity 46 Plurafac 901 LF 130 53 Lutensol TO109 150 82 Lutensol TO8 150 80 Lutensol XP 80 150 Low viscosity 74 Lutensol XL 89 150 74 Plurafac 220 LF 150 52 Plurafac 301 LF 150 41 Lutensol XL 99 160 77 Plurafac 221 LF 190 Low viscosity 48 Plurafac 400 LF 230 Low viscosity 54 Lutensol XP 70 350 Low viscosity 68 Plurafac 1530 LF 350 56 Plurafac 303 LF 350 35 Lutensol XL 90 400 77 Plurafac 7319 LF 400 53 Plurafac 1430 LF 450 40 Plurafac 401 LF 570 Gel 70 Lutensol TO10 1000 82 Lutensol XP 90 1200 76 Lutensol TO12 2000 88 Plurafac 404 LF 2400 High viscosity 52 Lutensol XP 100 3100 81 Plurafac 300 LF 4800 Gel 53 Lutensol TO15 10000 89 Plurafac 405 LF 47000 High viscosity 60 LutensolAT 11 100000 LutensolAT 13 100000 LutensolAT 18 100000 LutensolAT 25 100000 Lutensol XL 100 100000 Lutensol XL 140 100000 Key: Low viscosity - sample pours freely at 20 C. High viscosity - sample does not flow freely at 20 C. Gel - sample is not free-flowing at 20 C. nor at 23 C.

EXAMPLE 13

[0050] The present invention is illustrated by a wide array of agrochemicals. Table 13 shows examples of stable built-in adjuvant formulations for a wide array of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides. Concentrations are by weight (i.e. % w/w). Each formulation was found to be free flowing at room temperature and to readily dilute into tap water; the dilutions formed fine droplet emulsions and fine particle suspensions of particles.

TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 13 Plurafac Tween Propylene Agrochemical Amount LF404 20 glycol Water Mandipropamid 4.0% 29.6% 20.1% 10.1% 36.2% Prometryn 3.7% 29.4% 20.3% 10.1% 36.5% Isopyrazam 3.9% 30.3% 20.0% 10.0% 35.9% Difenoconazole 4.9% 29.9% 19.8% 9.9% 35.6% Lufenuron 4.8% 30.4% 19.6% 9.8% 35.3% Thiamethoxam 4.8% 30.5% 19.6% 9.8% 35.3% Mesosulfuron 4.0% 29.8% 20.1% 10.0% 36.1% Pyribenzoxim 4.3% 27.6% 20.7% 10.3% 37.2% Cloquintocet mexyl 4.9% 24.9% 21.3% 10.6% 38.3% Napropamide 4.7% 29.0% 20.1% 10.0% 36.2% Fludioxynil 4.4% 18.1% 23.5% 11.7% 42.3% Pinoxaden 4.3% 23.9% 21.8% 10.9% 39.2% Epoxyconazole 3.9% 15.6% 24.4% 12.2% 43.9% Terbuthylazine 4.8% 32.5% 19.0% 9.5% 34.2% Cyproconazole 3.8% 37.4% 17.8% 8.9% 32.1% Cyflufenamid 5.7% 34.6% 18.1% 9.0% 32.5% Solatenol 5.4% 34.0% 18.4% 9.2% 33.1% Oxyfluorfen 5.0% 29.6% 19.8% 9.9% 35.7% Atrazine 4.1% 32.1% 19.3% 9.7% 34.8% Cyprodinil 4.9% 24.9% 21.3% 10.6% 38.3%

EXAMPLE 14

[0051] The present invention is illustrated by an array of surfactants. Table 14 shows stable built-in adjuvant formulations prepared with imazamox. Concentrations are by weight (% w/w). Each formulation was found to be free flowing at room temperature and to have a homogeneous single phase liquid.

TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 14 Tween Propylene Surfactant Amount Imazamox 20 glycol Water Lutensol TO3 48.1% 4.80% 9.62% 9.62% 27.86% Plurafac 221 LF 48.1% 4.80% 9.62% 9.62% 27.86% Plurafac 305 LF 48.1% 4.80% 9.62% 9.62% 27.86% Plurafac 403 LF 48.1% 4.80% 9.62% 9.62% 27.86% Plurafac 404 LF 48.1% 4.80% 9.62% 9.62% 27.86%