Surfactants in agrochemical formulations
Inventors
Blease, Trevor Graham • Lindner, Gregory James • Richards, Lee David
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8673816-B2
Publication Date
2014-03-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
Surfactant compounds which include an amine ended polyalkylene glycol hydrophile linked to C22 to C60 mainly hydrocarbyl, particularly composite hydrocarbyl, especially derived from a polymerised fatty acid and/or an aralkyl substituted phenol, hydrophobe, are useful in dispersing solids, particularly active agrochemicals, in aqueous media, or as adjuvants in agrochemical formulations, particularly of water soluble non-selective herbicides. In particular the hydrophobe is derived from polymerised fatty acids, such as dimer and, especially, trimer acids or from aralkyl substituted phenols. Aqueous dispersions using such surfactants can remain stable even with substantial concentrations of electrolyte e.g. in stable agrochemical dispersions including water soluble electrolyte agrochemical, such as glyphosate and/or ammonium sulphate.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to novel amine-ended polyalkylene glycol surfactants comprising a C22-C60 hydrocarbyl hydrophobe, wherein the hydrophobe comprises a hydrocarbyl residue of a polymerised fatty acid dimer or trimer or an aralkylphenyl residue. The surfactants are defined by formula (I) including an oxyalkylene residue (OA) with n in the range of 5-50 and a value of m that is 1-2 for fatty acid dimer or 1-3 for fatty acid trimer.
The amine-containing moiety is linked through defined linking groups Link1 and Link2 to the oxyalkylene segment and to an R1 group defined as —NR2R3, —(R4)(R5)N→O, —(R4)(R5)N+—R6, or —(R4)(R5)N+—R7COO−. The definitions constrain R2 and R3, R4 and R5, R6 and R7, and further specify that Link1 and Link2 are selected from the listed linking group options, with additional constraints for X and the indices n1 and n2.
The invention further provides compositions and aqueous agrochemical dispersions comprising one or more compounds of formula (I), including electrolyte-tolerant formulations. The documented formulation types include dispersion concentrates, suspoemulsions, oil dispersion concentrates, and diluted spray mixes, with agrochemical actives and dissolved electrolytes used in aqueous systems as described.
Claims Coverage
The document contains two independent claim sets. One independent claim defines a compound represented by formula (I), and the other independent claim defines a composition comprising one or more such formula (I) compounds.
Formula (I) amine-ended polyalkylene glycol surfactant compounds
A compound represented by formula (I) wherein Hp represents a C22-C60 hydrocarbyl hydrophobe comprising a hydrocarbyl residue of a polymerised fatty acid or an aralkylphenyl residue, OA represents an oxyalkylene residue, n represents a value in the range of 5-50, and m represents a value of 1-2 (fatty acid dimer) or 1-3 (fatty acid trimer), with R1 defined as —NR2R3, —(R4)(R5)N→O, —(R4)(R5)N+—R6, or —(R4)(R5)N+—R7COO−, and with Link1 and Link2 selected from the listed linking group options and their associated substituent constraints.
Composition comprising one or more formula (I) compounds
A composition comprising one or more compounds represented by formula (I) having the same formula (I) constraints as recited, where Hp is a C22-C60 hydrocarbyl hydrophobe comprising a polymerised fatty acid or aralkylphenyl residue, OA is an oxyalkylene residue, n is in the range of 5-50, m is 1-2 for fatty acid dimer or 1-3 for fatty acid trimer, and R1 is defined as —NR2R3, —(R4)(R5)N→O, —(R4)(R5)N+—R6, or —(R4)(R5)N+—R7COO− with the listed constraints on R2/R3, R4/R5, R6/R7, Link1, Link2, X, n1, and n2.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on formula (I) amine-ended polyalkylene glycol surfactants with a C22-C60 hydrocarbyl hydrophobe derived from polymerised fatty acids or aralkylphenyl residues, linked through defined Link1/Link2 to an oxyalkylene segment and an R1 amine-related moiety with specified options and parameter ranges, and on compositions comprising one or more such formula (I) compounds.
Stated Advantages
Electrolyte tolerance in aqueous agrochemical dispersions.
Improved dispersion stability and suspensibility as evidenced by the described examples and tests.
Greenhouse adjuvancy for glyphosate as described in the documented greenhouse trial.
Documented Applications
Use as dispersants and/or adjuvants in aqueous agrochemical dispersions, including electrolyte-tolerant formulations.
Agrochemical formulation types including dispersion concentrates, suspoemulsions, oil dispersion concentrates, and diluted spray mixes.
Agrochemical active and electrolyte systems including glyphosate (potassium salt or isopropylamine salt) with ammonium sulphate (AMS), and other herbicide-related classes mentioned in the document (e.g., Paraquat/diquat and bipyridyl herbicides).
Greenhouse trial with glyphosate in Brassica napus as described.
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