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Publication Number
US-11046813-B2
Publication Date
2021-06-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
An agrochemical formulation comprising an agricultural active and an adjuvant is disclosed. The adjuvant comprises a residue of sorbitan or sorbitan derivative having at least one active hydrogen atom replaced to form an ethyloxylated or propoxylated ester. The adjuvant and methods of treating crops with an agrochemical formulation comprising the adjuvant are also disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to alkoxylated sorbitan or sorbitan-derivative mono-ester adjuvants formed from oxyethylene and oxypropylene units and defined by general structure (I). The molecule includes a sorbitan or sorbitan-derivative residue (Sorb) and four oxyalkylene groups (AO1H)n1 (AO2H)n2 (AO3H)n3 (AO4R1)n4, where each oxyalkylene group is formed from oxyethylene and oxypropylene units as a block copolymer.
For general structure (I), n1, n2, n3, and n4 each represent an integer having a value of 1. R1 represents an alkanoyl group —C(O)R2 where R2 represents a C4 to C28 hydrocarbyl, and the total sum of oxyethylene units and oxypropylene units per molecule of general structure (I) is in the range from 5 to 38, with the number of oxyethylene units in each oxyalkylene group independently in the range from 1 to 8.
The oxyethylene molar proportion in the block copolymer is stated to be in the range between 20% and 90%. The disclosed compositions include agrochemical formulations and concentrates containing the defined adjuvant together with at least one agrochemical active, and a vegetation pest control use is described by applying an agrochemical formulation to vegetation or to the immediate environment of the vegetation.
Claims Coverage
The document contains two independent formulation-related claims and one independent compound claim, with the independent features centered on a sorbitan/sorbitan-derivative adjuvant defined by general structure (I). Across the independent claims, the coverage focuses on the structure of the adjuvant and its use in an agrochemical formulation, optionally with agrochemical actives, and in a concentrate suitable for making such formulations.
Agrochemical formulation with defined block-copolymer sorbitan adjuvant
An agrochemical formulation comprising an adjuvant and at least one agrochemical active, where the adjuvant has general structure (I) with Sorb representing a residue of a sorbitan or sorbitan derivative; AO1, AO2, AO3, and AO4 each independently represent an oxyalkylene group formed from oxyethylene and oxypropylene units as a block copolymer of oxyethylene and oxypropylene with an oxyethylene molar proportion between 20% and 90%; the total sum of oxyethylene units and oxypropylene units per molecule of general structure (I) is in the range from 5 to 38; n1, n2, n3, and n4 each represent an integer having a value of 1; R1 represents an alkanoyl group —C(O)R2 where R2 represents a C4 to C28 hydrocarbyl; and the number of oxyethylene units in each oxyalkylene group is independently an integer in the range from 1 to 8.
Concentrate formulation containing the defined block-copolymer sorbitan adjuvant
A concentrate formulation suitable for making an agrochemical formulation, comprising an adjuvant and optionally at least one agrochemical active, where the adjuvant has general structure (I) with Sorb representing a residue of a sorbitan or sorbitan derivative; AO1, AO2, AO3, and AO4 each independently represent an oxyalkylene group formed from oxyethylene and oxypropylene units as a block copolymer; the total sum of oxyethylene units and oxypropylene units per molecule of general structure (I) is in the range from 5 to 38; n1, n2, n3, and n4 each independently represent an integer having a value of 1; R1 represents an alkanoyl group —C(O)R2 where R2 represents a C4 to C28 hydrocarbyl; and the number of oxyethylene units in each oxyalkylene group is independently an integer in the range from 1 to 8.
Sorbitan/sorbitan-derivative adjuvant compound defined by general structure (I)
A compound having general structure (I) with Sorb representing a residue of a sorbitan or sorbitan derivative; AO1, AO2, AO3, and AO4 each independently representing an oxyalkylene group formed from oxyethylene and oxypropylene units as a block copolymer; the total sum of oxyethylene units and oxypropylene units per molecule of general structure (I) is in the range from 5 to 38; n1, n2, n3, and n4 each independently represent an integer having a value of 1; R1 represents an alkanoyl group —C(O)R2 where R2 represents a C4 to C28 hydrocarbyl; suitable for use as an adjuvant in an agrochemical formulation; and the number of oxyethylene units in each oxyalkylene group present is independently an integer in the range from 1 to 8.
Overall, the independent claims are directed to an agrochemical formulation combining the defined block-copolymer sorbitan adjuvant with at least one agrochemical active, a concentrate formulation containing the same structural adjuvant, and the adjuvant compound itself having general structure (I) with constrained unit counts, integer subscripts, per-segment oxyethylene counts, and R1 as a C4 to C28 hydrocarbyl alkanoyl suitable for use as an adjuvant in an agrochemical formulation.
Stated Advantages
Improved physical properties versus polysorbate comparators, including lower contact angle, controlled cloud point, reduced foam, and faster cold-water dissolution.
Reduced equilibrium surface tension, dynamic surface tension, and interfacial tension compared with comparators.
Low viscosity over a temperature range without alcohols or glycols.
Formulation stability, including no separation and ability to re-homogenize after freezing.
Documented Applications
Agrochemical formulations and concentrates used for vegetation pest control by applying the formulation to vegetation or to the immediate environment of the vegetation.
Weed-control formulations using 2,4-D (diglycolamine salt and ester) together with adjuvants A1–A15, reporting good-to-excellent weed control and solubility/stability for multiple weed species listed in the document.
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