STABLE, CONCENTRATED HERBICIDAL COMPOSITIONS

Abstract

A liquid herbicidal composition is provided, comprising: a. 20 to 35 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a water-soluble herbicidal ingredient; b. a C.sub.12-C.sub.16 alkyl ether sulfate; c. an organic solvent; and d. an alkyl polyglucoside

The composition is stable; i.e., it occurs in a substantially continuous, single phase at temperatures as low as 20 C. It also has a viscosity of no more than 2000 cps at temperatures as low as 0 C.

Claims

1. A liquid herbicidal composition comprising: a. 20 to 35 percent by weight of glufosinate or a salt thereof, based on the total weight of the composition; b. 10 to 30 percent by weight of a lauryl ether sulfate or a salt thereof, based on the total weight of the composition; c. 1 to 20 percent by weight of an organic, based on the total weight of the composition; and d. 1 to 15 percent by weight of a surfactant, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the composition is present in a continuous, single phase at a temperature as low as 20 degrees C. and has a viscosity of no more than 2000 cps at temperatures as low as 0-degree C.

2. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said glufosinate or salt thereof is present in an amount from 22 to 28 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

3. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein the organic solvent is present in an amount of 3 to 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

4. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of 6 to 12 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

5. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said the weight ratio of said glufosinate or a salt thereof (a) to the lauryl ether sulfate (b) ranges from 1:0.2 to 1:5.0.

6. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said the weight ratio of said glufosinate or a salt thereof (a) to the lauryl ether sulfate (b) ranges from 1:0.8 to 1:1.2.

7. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said (a) comprises a glufosinate salt selected from the group consisting of glufosinate-ammonium salt, glufosinate-potassium salt, and glufosinate-sodium salt.

8. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 1, wherein said composition further comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of an auxiliary agent, a wetting agent, a dispersant, an emulsifier, a penetrant, a preservative, an antifreeze, and an evaporation inhibitor.

9. A liquid herbicidal composition comprising: a. 20 to 35 percent by weight of glufosinate or a salt thereof, based on the total weight of the composition; b. 3 to 35 percent by weight of a lauryl ether sulfate or a salt thereof, based on the total weight of the composition; c. 1 to 20 percent by weight of an organic solvent; and d. 1 to 15 percent by weight of a surfactant, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the composition is present in a continuous, single phase at a temperature as low as 20 degrees C. and has a viscosity of no more than 2000 cps at temperatures as low as 0-degree C.

10. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 9, wherein said glufosinate or salt thereof is present in an amount from 22 to 28 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

11. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 9, wherein the organic solvent is present in an amount of 3 to 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

12. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 11, wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of 6 to 12 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

13. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 11, wherein said a) comprises a glufosinate salt selected from the group consisting of glufosinate-ammonium salt, glufosinate-potassium salt, and glufosinate-sodium salt.

14. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 9, wherein said the weight ratio of said glufosinate or a salt thereof (a) to the lauryl ether sulfate (b) ranges from 1:0.2 to 1:5.0.

15. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 9, wherein said the weight ratio of said glufosinate or a salt thereof (a) to the lauryl ether sulfate (b) ranges from 1:0.8 to 1:1.2.

16. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 12, wherein said the weight ratio of said glufosinate or a salt thereof (a) to the lauryl ether sulfate (b) ranges from 1:0.2 to 1:5.0.

17. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 12, wherein said the weight ratio of said glufosinate or a salt thereof (a) to the lauryl ether sulfate (b) ranges from 1:0.8 to 1:1.2.

18. A liquid herbicidal composition comprising: a. 20 to 35 percent by weight of glufosinate or a salt thereof, based on the total weight of the composition; b. 10 to 30 percent by weight of a lauryl ether sulfate or a salt thereof, based on the total weight of the composition; c. 1 to 20 percent by weight of an organic solvent; and d. 1 to 15 percent by weight of a C6-C 16 alkyl polyglucoside, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the composition is present in a continuous, single phase at a temperature as low as 20 degrees C. and has a viscosity of no more than 2000 cps at temperatures as low as 0-degree C.

19. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 18, wherein said glufosinate or salt thereof is present in an amount from 22 to 28 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

20. The liquid herbicidal composition of claim 18, wherein the organic solvent is present in an amount of 3 to 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Description

EXAMPLES

[0038] The following examples (1 to 9) illustrate the preparation of various herbicidal compositions, demonstrating combinations of co-solvents and alkyl polyglucosides and their combined effects on stability. Examples 1, 3, and 7 are illustrative of the invention while Examples 2, 4-6, 8, and 9 are comparative. The ingredients were mixed together in a suitable vessel at room temperature in the order listed and were observed for phase separation at room temperature. Note that ingredients may be mixed in other sequences, For example, the herbicide may be added to the solvent package, provided the solution does not phase separate.

TABLE-US-00001 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Glufosinate 50% 44.00 44.00 44.00 44.00 44.00 44.00 44.00 44.00 44.00 SLES (sodium lauryl 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 38.00 ether sulfate) 70% BREAK THRU S200.sup.1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 THFA 7.00 7.00 7.00 (tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol) Propylene glycol 7.00 7.00 7.00 monomethyl ether Dipropylene Glycol 7.00 7.00 7.00 Iso-propanol 3.00 3.00 3.00 Iso-Butanol 3.00 3.00 3.00 1-Butanol 3.00 3.00 3.00 AKZO 6206 Linear 5.00 5.00 5.00 Hexyl polyglycoside.sup.2 AKZO 6202 2- 5.00 5.00 5.00 ethylhexyl polyglycoside.sup.3 AL 2575 C8-10 5.00 5.00 5.00 Alkyl polyglycoside.sup.4 Sodium Xylene 1.75 1.75 1.75 Sulfonate 40% aqueous Sodium Toluene 1.75 1.75 1.75 Sulfonate 40% aqueous Ammonium Sulfate, 0.70 0.70 0.70 Granular FLUOWET PL80B.sup.5 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 Deionized Water 1.05 1.05 1.05 RESULTS: Separation of sample No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes .sup.1Ethoxylated trisiloxane available from Degussa Corporation .sup.2Linear hexyl polyglucoside available from Akzo Nobel AG .sup.32 ethylhexyl branched polyglucoside available from Akzo Nobel .sup.4C.sub.8-11 alkyl polyglucoside in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 11 carbon atoms and has a HLB 12-13 .sup.5Defoamer available from Clariant

Examples 10 to 12

[0039] Examples 10 to 12 illustrate the effects of dipropylene glycol with various co-solvents. Example 10 is a composition of the present invention while Examples 11 and 12 are comparative.

TABLE-US-00002 10 11 12 % grams % grams % grams INGREDIENT: Glufosinate 50% 44.00 88.00 44.00 88.00 44.00 88.00 SLES 70% 38.00 76.00 38.00 76.00 38.00 76.00 BREAK THRU S200 1.00 2.00 1.00 2.00 1.00 2.00 Dipropylene Glycol 7.00 14.00 7.00 14.00 7.00 14.00 Iso-propanol 3.00 6.00 Iso-butanol 3.00 6.00 1-butanol 3.00 6.00 AKZO 6206 Linear 5.00 10.00 Hexyl polyglycoside AKZO 6202 2- 5.00 10.00 ethylhexl polyglycoside AL 2575 C8-C10 5.00 10.00 Alkyl polyglycoside Sodium Xylene 1.75 3.50 Sulfonate 40% Sodium Toluene 1.75 3.50 Sulfonate 40% PLANTAPON 1.75 3.50 CMGS.sup.1 FLUOWET PL80B 0.25 0.50 0.25 0.50 0.25 0.50 TOTAL: 100.00 200.00 100.00 200.00 100.00 200.00 RESULTS: Viscosity, cps- Initial 140 NT NT Room Temperature Appearance - Initial no separation separation separation Room Temp NTNot Tested due to separation of samples in study. .sup.1Surfactant available from Cognis-Care Chemicals

Example 13 (Comparative)

[0040] Each composition in the following example contained, in parts by weight:

TABLE-US-00003 Glufosinate 50% Concentrate 49 BREAK THRU 9903 Antifoam.sup.1 0.8 BREAK THRU S200 Silicone Surfactant.sup.2 0.6 Potassium Hydroxide 50% Solution 0.12 .sup.1,2Available from Degussa Corporation

TABLE-US-00004 SLES Example Solution % AL 2575 % THFA % % Separation 13a 37.24 5.5 6.74 1.8 13b 35.62 4.5 9.36 17.8 13c 34 5.5 9.98 10.9 13d 34 4.5 10.98 12.96 13e 34 3.5 11.98 23.6 13f 37.24 3.5 8.74 12.7 13g 36.43 5 8.05 10.7 13h 35.08 3.5 10.9 21.8 13i 36.16 3.5 9.82 16.1 13j 35.08 5.5 8.9 7.4

[0041] While each of the mixtures in the above set exhibited some degree of separation, the amount of separation was less as the level of THFA solvent decreased and the level of APG surfactant increased. Percent separation is a measurement of the height of a separated phase compared to the total height of a sample.

Example 14

[0042] The following example illustrates the preparation of an herbicidal composition in accordance with the present invention. The ingredients were mixed together in the order listed:

TABLE-US-00005 Percent by Weight INGREDIENT Glufosinate 50% 48.600 AGNIQUE SLES 270.sup.1 34.544 AGNIQUE PG 8105.sup.2 9.850 THFA 5.500 BREAK THRU S200 0.600 BREAK THRU AF 9903 0.800 Potassium Hydroxide 50% Solution 0.100 D&C Red 17 0.006 TOTAL 100.000 RESULTS Gms Glufosinate/liter 280.00 Lbs Glufosinate/Gal 2.335 Viscosity cps - R.T. 216 Viscosity cps - 40 F./4.4 C. 640 Viscosity cps - 32 F./0 C. 788 Viscosity cps - 12 F./10 C. 5400 .sup.1,2Available from AKZO NOBEL Surface Chemistry, LLC

[0043] Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.