Agrochemical Concentrates Comprising Alkoxylated Adjuvants
The present invention relates to aqueous agrochemical concentrates, as well as methods of
making and using the aqueous agrochemical concentrates.
Bioactive agrochemicals are usually sold as concentrated formulations and prior to use they
are diluted with water and subsequently applied to plants, e.g. by spraying. Such
formulations may include ingredients in addition to the agrochemical active ingredient to
improve the product, e.g. to assist with dispersion of the active in water, to improve plant
up-take of the active, to improve the bioactivity of the active, or to improve shelf-life etc..
There are a number of different types of formulation that are commonly used with bioactive
agrochemicals. These include soluble concentrates (SL), emulsifiable concentrates (EC),
suspension concentrates (SC), oil-in-water emulsions (EW), water-dispersible powders
(WP), water-dispersible granules (WG), suspoemulsions (SE) and microcapsule
suspensions (CS).
Some types of formulation, particularly formulations other than emulsifiable concentrates,
benefit greatly from the presence of an adjuvant, i.e. an agent used to enhance the
bioperformance (activity) of the bioactive agrochemical. Adjuvants can vary in complexity
from simple surfactants to multi-component blended oils. Some adjuvants, such as alcohol
ethoxylates, display liquid crystalline behaviour at high concentrations in water (WO
2005/013692). It can be difficult to formulate agrochemical concentrates containing such
adjuvants at high concentrations due to the high viscosity of the liquid crystalline phases.
The liquid crystalline phases can be cubic, hexagonal or lamellar phases, with different
phases forming at different concentrations and different temperatures. The cubic and
hexagonal phases are highly viscous, the lamellar phase is less viscous but we have found
that this is still viscous enough to give problems with pourability, rinsability from the
container and/or dilution into water for spray application.
WO 2005/013692 describes use of hydrotropes to address the problem of adjuvants
exhibiting liquid crystalline behaviour. Hydrotropes are generally considered to be
molecules that solubilise hydrophobic compounds in water. Typically, hydrotropes are
amphiphiles and consist of a hydrophilic part and a small hydrophobic part. Addition of
hydrotropes can disrupt the liquid crystalline phases but use of many hydrotropes often
results in a solution that is still highly viscous.
WO 2005/048707 describes the use of particular water soluble solvent to act as anti-gel
forming and anti-caking agent for aqueous suspension concentrate compositions
comprising polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers. The anticaking agents are described as glycol
based aqueous solvents such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol and
propylene glycol, with dipropylene glycol being preferred. However, we have found that use
of such glycol solvents can result in a solution that is still highly viscous.
For agrochemical concentrates comprising adjuvants that exhibit liquid crystalline behaviour
in water it can be important to reduce the viscosity of the agrochemical concentrate in order
to provide good pourability, good rinsability from the container and/or for ease of dilution
into water for spray application.
It has now surprisingly been found that aryl sulphonates and particular alcohols can disrupt
these liquid crystalline phases, leading to a liquid phase of a much lower viscosity.
Accordingly, in a first aspect the invention provides a method of reducing the viscosity of an
aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprising a) an adjuvant selected from an alkoxylated
aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide and an
alkoxylated aliphatic amine, wherein the concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous
agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l; the method comprising including, e.g. adding, b)
a compound selected from:
i . an aryl sulphonate;
ii. an aliphatic mono alcohol;
iii. an aliphatic polyol comprising at least four contiguous carbon atoms; and
iv. an aryl alcohol;
in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate;
wherein the aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprises an agrochemical active
ingredient.
The aryl sulphonate, aliphatic mono alcohol, aliphatic polyol or aryl alcohol may be
considered as viscosity reducing agents, e.g. they may disrupt liquid crystalline phases of
the adjuvant, thereby reducing the viscosity of the concentrate. Preferably, such viscosity
reducing agents are capable of maintaining the adjuvant in the liquid phase in water, e.g.
the viscosity reducing agent is capable of preventing the adjuvant from adopting liquid
crystalline phases when mixed with water. The liquid crystalline phases may be considered
to be gel phases. For example, at particular concentrations of adjuvant, usually high
concentrations, the presence of the viscosity reducing agent will maintain the adjuvant in
the liquid phase whereas in the absence of the viscosity reducing agent the adjuvant will be
a gel, e.g. liquid crystalline gel. The aryl sulphonate, aliphatic mono alcohol, aliphatic polyol
or aryl alcohol are highly effective at reducing the viscosity of the liquid phase.
In one embodiment the invention provides a method of reducing the viscosity of an aqueous
agrochemical concentrate comprising an adjuvant selected from an alkoxylated aliphatic
acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide and an alkoxylated
aliphatic amine comprising including an aryl sulphonate in the aqueous agrochemical
concentrate, wherein the concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical
concentrate is at least 50 g/l, and wherein the aqueous agrochemical concentrate
comprises an agrochemical active ingredient.
In a further embodiment the invention provides a method of reducing the viscosity of an
aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprising an adjuvant selected from an alkoxylated
aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide and an
alkoxylated aliphatic amine comprising including an aliphatic mono alcohol in the aqueous
agrochemical concentrate, wherein the concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous
agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l, and wherein the aqueous agrochemical
concentrate comprises an agrochemical active ingredient.
In a further embodiment the invention provides a method of reducing the viscosity of an
aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprising an adjuvant selected from an alkoxylated
aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide and an
alkoxylated aliphatic amine comprising including an aliphatic polyol comprising at least four
contiguous carbon atoms in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate, wherein the
concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l and
and wherein the aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprises an agrochemical active
ingredient.
In yet a further embodiment the invention provides a method of reducing the viscosity of an
aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprising an adjuvant selected from an alkoxylated
aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide and an
alkoxylated aliphatic amine including an aryl alcohol in the aqueous agrochemical
concentrate, wherein the concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical
concentrate is at least 50 g/l, and wherein the aqueous agrochemical concentrate
comprises an agrochemical active ingredient.
In a further aspect, the invention provides an aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprising
a) an adjuvant selected from an alkoxylated aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic
alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide and an alkoxylated aliphatic amine; wherein the
concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l;
b) a compound selected from
i . an aryl sulphonate;
ii. an aliphatic mono alcohol; and
iii. an aliphatic polyol comprising at least four contiguous carbon atoms; and
c) an agrochemical active ingredient.
In one embodiment, the invention provides an aqueous agrochemical concentrate
comprising
a) an adjuvant selected from an alkoxylated aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic
alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide and an alkoxylated aliphatic amine; wherein the
concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l;
b) an aryl sulphonate; and
c) an agrochemical active ingredient.
In a further embodiment, the invention provides an aqueous agrochemical concentrate
comprising
a) an adjuvant selected from an alkoxylated aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic
alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide and an alkoxylated aliphatic amine; wherein the
concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l;
b) an aliphatic mono alcohol; and
c) an agrochemical active ingredient.
In a further embodiment, the invention provides an aqueous agrochemical concentrate
comprising
a) an adjuvant selected from an alkoxylated aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic
alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide and an alkoxylated aliphatic amine; wherein the
concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l.
b) an aliphatic polyol comprising at least four contiguous carbon atoms; and
c) an agrochemical active ingredient.
Sometimes a high adjuvant concentration is desirable in order to increase the efficacy of the
agrochemical active ingredient, or a high loaded formulation is more convenient for the enduser.
For example, the adjuvant may be present in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate
at at least 100g/l, at least 180g/l, or at least 230g/l. For example, the adjuvant may be - 50 -
800 g/l of the aqueous agrochemical concentrate, e.g. 100 - 500 g/l, e.g. 150 - 400 g/l.
The adjuvant may be present in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate at a concentration
such that it exhibits liquid crystalline behaviour in the absence of the viscosity reducing
agent, e.g. at 5°C.
The adjuvant may be an alkoxylated aliphatic acid, alkoxylated aliphatic alcohol, alkoxylated
aliphatic amide or alkoxylated aliphatic amine, which aliphatic acid, aliphatic alcohol,
aliphatic amide or aliphatic amine has a C8-C2o alkyl or C8-C2o alkenyl group. For example,
the adjuvant may have the formula I :
R -(CO)p-Z-[-R20-] q-R3 (I)
wherein
Z is O , NH, or N(-[-R 20-] q-R3) providing that Z is O or NH when p is 1;
R is C8-C2o alkyl or C8-C2o alkenyl;
each R2 is independently C2-C4 alkyl;
R3 is hydrogen or C C8 alkyl; p is 0 or 1; and
q is 2 to 40.
Preferably Z is O. Preferably, R3 is C C8 alkyl, more preferably butyl. We have found that
"end capping" the adjuvant with butyl is advantageous since a lower level of viscosity can
be achieved with the same amount of viscosity reducing agent, compared to the
corresponding uncapped adjuvant. Without being bound by theory, one explanation for this
result could be that butyl "end capping" the adjuvant disrupts the packing of the adjuvant
molecules in the liquid crystalline phase or the packing of the adjuvant molecules with the
viscosity reducing agent . A "capped adjuvant" is one where R3 is not H.
More preferably, the adjuvant is one wherein: Z is O, R is C8-C20 alkyl or C8-C20 alkenyl; R2
is ethyl; R3 is C C8 alkyl; p is 0 ; and q is 2 to 40.
More preferably, the adjuvant is one wherein: Z is O, R is C 6 2o alkyl or C - 20 alkenyl;
R2 is ethyl; R3 is butyl; p is 0 ; and q is 5 to 30.
Usually the adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate will be a blend of the
molecules, e.g. in which Z , R , R2, R3, q and p may have different values. For example, at
least 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or even 100% of the adjuvant molecules in the concentrate may be
molecules according to formula I . For example, at least 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or even 100% of
the adjuvant molecules may be molecules in which R3 is C C8 alkyl. In particular, there will
usually be a distribution of alkylene oxide chain lengths. Preferably the average value of q is
10 to 25, more preferably 18 to 22, even more preferably about 20. The term "average"
refers to the mode average. At least 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or even 100% of the adjuvant
molecules in the concentrate may be molecules in which: Z is O, R is C 6-C2o alkyl or C 6-
C2o alkenyl; R2 is ethyl; R3 is butyl; p is 0 ; and q is an average of 18-22
Adjuvants of the present invention may be prepared by conventional techniques, e.g. as
described in WO 03/022048.
In one embodiment the viscosity reducing agent is an aryl sulphonate. The aryl sulphonate
may be a compound of formula II:
wherein A is phenyl optionally substituted by one or more groups independently selected
from C C8 alkyl, C C8 haloalkyl, hydroxy and halogen. Preferably, A is phenyl optionally
substituted by one to three groups independently selected from C C8 alkyl, C C8 haloalkyl,
hydroxy and halogen. More preferably, A is phenyl optionally substituted by one to three C
C8 alkyl, more preferably optionally substituted by one or two C C alkyl.
Examples of particular aryl sulphonates for use as viscosity reducing agents are toluene
sulphonate, xylene sulphonate and cumene sulphonate:
-
Toluene sulphonate Xylene sulphonate
Cumene sulphonate
Most preferred is cumene sulphonate, e.g. ammonium cumene sulphonate.
In a further embodiment the viscosity reducing agent is an aliphatic mono alcohol, i.e. a
compound containing one hydroxy group. The aliphatic mono alcohol may be a compound
of formula III:
R4-OH (III)
wherein R4 is C4-C 6 alkyi optionally substituted by C3-C8 cycloalkyi, or C3-C8 cycloalkyi
optionally substituted by C C8 alkyi. Preferably, R4 is C4-C 6 alkyi or C3-C6 cycloalkyi, even
more preferably C -C 2 alkyi or C5-C6 cycloalkyi, most preferably C -C8 alkyi or
cyclohexanol. Examples of particular aliphatic mono alcohols for use as viscosity reducing
agents are n-hexanol, 2-ethyl hexanol, n-butanol, cyclohexanol, and n-octanol.
In a further embodiment the aliphatic mono alcohol is a compound of formula III in which R4
is propyl, preferably isopropyl.
In a further embodiment the viscosity reducing agent is an aliphatic polyol, i.e. an alcohol
containing more than one hydroxy group. The aliphatic polyol may be an aliphatic diol of the
formula IV
R -OH (IV)
wherein R5 is C -C 6 alkyi optionally substituted by C3-C8 cycloalkyi, or C3-C8 cycloalkyi
optionally substituted by C C8 alkyi, and wherein R5 is substituted by one additional
hydroxy. Preferably, R5 is C -C 6 alkyi or C3-C6 cycloalkyi, even more preferably C -C 2
alkyi or C5-C6 cycloalkyi, most preferably C -C8 alkyi or cyclohexanol, likewise in each case
substituted by one additional hydroxy. Examples of particular aliphatic diols for use as
viscosity reducing agents are 2-ethyl 1,3 hexanediol, 1,2 pentanediol and 2-methyl 2,4
pentanediol (also known as hexylene glycol).
In a further embodiment the viscosity reducing agent is an aryl alcohol. The aryl alcohol
may be a compound of formula V
B-OH (V)
wherein B is phenyl optionally substituted by one or more groups independently selected
from C C alkyi, C C haloalkyi, carboxyl, sulphonyl, hydroxy and halogen. Preferably, B is
phenyl optionally substituted by at least carboxyl or sulphonyl, more preferably carboxyl.
Preferably, the viscosity reducing agent is salicylate.
Where possible the viscosity reducing agent may be provided in salt form or unprotonated
form. Suitable salts will be apparent to the person skilled in the art, e.g. alkali metal salts,
e.g. sodium and potassium salts, and ammonium salts. The viscosity reducing agent could
also be added to the formulation in the acidic form, forming the salt in-situ e.g. with a basic
surfactant or a basic active ingredient.
The term "optionally substituted" as used herein means substituted or not substituted. AlkyI
and alkenyl groups as defined herein may be straight chains or branched chains.
The aqueous agrochemical concentrate is preferably a suspension concentrate (SC)
formulation, e.g. an aqueous suspension of finely divided insoluble solid particles of the
agrochemical active ingredient. SC formulations may be prepared by ball or bead milling a
solid agrochemical active ingredient in a suitable medium to produce a fine particle
suspension of the agrochemical active ingredient. The particle size is typically from 0.2-15
microns, for example from 0.5 to 5 microns median diameter. The agrochemical active
ingredient may be combined with other formulation ingredients and added to water, or it
may be added to water already containing other formulation ingredients. The order of
addition of ingredients to the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is generally not critical,
although it is preferable to add the viscosity reducing agent into the aqueous phase
(optionally containing the active ingredient) before the addition of the adjuvant in order to
speed up dissolution of the adjuvant.
The agrochemical composition may contain other ingredients found in commercial
agrochemical concentrate formulations, e.g. surfactants, dispersants, polymers, wetting
agents, other adjuvants stabilizers, pH modifiers, anti-freeze agents, suspending agents,
emulsifiers, antifoam agents, pH stabilising agents, preservatives and the like.
The agrochemical active ingredient may be any agrochemical active ingredient, including
pesticides, plant growth regulators, safeners, etc.. A pesticide is for example a herbicide,
fungicide or insecticide.
As examples of herbicides suitable for formulation as a concentrate there may be
mentioned mesotrione, fomesafen, tralkoxydim, napropamide, amitraz, propanil,
pyrimethanil, dicloran, tecnazene, toclofos methyl, flamprop M, 2,4-D, MCPA, mecoprop,
clodinafop, clodinafop-propargyl, cyhalofop-butyl, diclofop methyl, haloxyfop, quizalofop-P,
indol-3-ylacetic acid, 1-naphthylacetic acid, isoxaben, tebutam, chlorthal dimethyl,
benomyl, benfuresate, dicamba, dichlobenil, benazolin, triazoxide, fluazuron,
teflubenzuron, phenmedipham, acetochlor, alachlor, metolachlor, pretilachlor, thenylchlor,
alloxydim, butroxydim, clethodim, cyclodim, sethoxydim, tepraloxydim, pendimethalin,
dinoterb, bifenox, oxyfluorfen, acifluorfen, fluoroglycofen-ethyl, bromoxynil, ioxynil,
imazamethabenz-methyl, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr, imazapic, imazamox,
flumioxazin, flumiclorac-pentyl, picloram, amodosulfuron, chlorsulfuron, nicosulfuron,
rimsulfuron, triasulfuron, triallate, pebulate, prosulfocarb, molinate, atrazine, simazine,
cyanazin, ametryn, prometryn, terbuthylazine, terbutryn, sulcotrione, isoproturon, linuron,
fenuron, chlorotoluron and metoxuron.
As examples of fungicides suitable for formulation as a concentrate, in addition to those
mentioned elsewhere, there may be mentioned azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin, kresoxim
methyl, famoxadone, metominostrobin and picoxystrobin, cyprodanil, carbendazim,
thiabendazole, dimethomorph, vinclozolin, iprodione, dithiocarbamate, imazalil,
prochloraz, fluquinconazole, epoxiconazole, flutriafol, azaconazole, bitertanol,
bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, hexaconazole, paclobutrazole,
propiconazole, tebuconazole, triadimefon, triticonazole, fenpropimorph, tridemorph,
fenpropidin, mancozeb, metiram, chlorothalonil, thiram, ziram, captafol, captan, folpet,
fluazinam, flutolanil, carboxin, metalaxyl, bupirimate, ethirimol, dimoxystrobin,
fluoxastrobin, orysastrobin, metominostrobin and prothioconazole.
As examples of insecticides suitable for formulation as a concentrate there may be
mentioned thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, nitenpyram,
fipronil, abamectin, emamectin, bendiocarb, carbaryl, fenoxycarb, isoprocarb, pirimicarb,
propoxur, xylylcarb, asulam, chlorpropham, endosulfan, heptachlor, tebufenozide,
bensultap, diethofencarb, pirimiphos methyl, aldicarb, methyl, cyprmethrin, bioallethrin,
deltamethrin, lambda cyhalothrin, cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin, fenvalerate, imiprothrin,
permethrin, halfenprox and tefluthrin.
In one embodiment the agrochemical active ingredient is fungicide from the class of
succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHI). The class of fungicides known as succinate
dehydrogenase inhibitors is an art-recognised class with a mode of action that targets the
enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDH, so-called complex I I in the mitochondrial
respiration chain), which is a functional part of the tricarboxylic cycle and linked to the
mitochondrial electron transport chain. SDH consists of four subunits (A, B, C and D) and it
is understood, without being bound by theory, that the binding site of ubiquinone (and of
SDHIs) is formed by the subunits B, C and D. SDHI fungicides have been grouped under
FRAC (Fungicide Resistance Action Committee) code number 7 . See www.frac.info .
The SDHI class of fungicides includes phenyl benzamides, e.g. benodanil, flutolanil and
mepronil; pyridinyl-ethyl-benzamides, e.g. fluopyram, furan-carboxamides, e.g. fenfuram,
oxathin-carboxamides, e.g. carobxin oxycarboxin; thiazole-carboxamides, e.g. thifluzamide;
pyrazole carboxamides, e.g. bixafen, furametpyr, isopyrazem, penflufen, penthiopyrad and
sedaxane; and pyridine carboxamides, e.g. boscalid.
Preferably the SDHI fungicide is a compound of formula VII
wherein R2 is CF3, CF2H or CFH2,
A is thienyl, phenyl, or ethylene each optionally substituted by one to three groups
independently selected from halogen, methyl and methoxy,
B is a direct bond, cyclopropylene, an annelated bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane- or
bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene ring, and
D is hydrogen, halogen, C C6 alkyl, C C6 haloalkyl, C C6 alkoxy, C C6 haloalkoxy, C3-C6
cycloalkyi, C C6 alkylidene, C C6 haloalkylidene, phenyl or phenyl optionally substituted by
one to three substituents independently selected from halogen and trihalomethylthio.
The compound of formula VII is preferably a compound of formula VIII (Isopyrazam), a
compound of formula IX (Sedaxane), a compound of formula X, a compound of formula XI
(Penthiopyrad), a compound of formula XII (Bixafen), a compound of formula XIII
(Fluxapyroxad), a compound of formula XIV, or a compound of formula XV.
Isopyrazam, Sedaxane, Penthiopyrad, Fluxapyroxad and Bixafen are known fungicides.
The compound of formula X is known, e.g. from WO 2007/048556, the compound of
formula XIV is known e.g. from WO 2010/000612, the compound of formula XV is known
e.g. from WO 2008/053044. The compound of formula VII is preferably Isopyrazam.
When the agrochemical active ingredient is an SDHI fungicide the viscosity reducing agent
is preferably an aryl sulphonate, e.g. as described above. We have found that use of these
viscosity reducing agents in combination with Isopyrazam reduces crystal growth in the
aqueous agrochemical concentrate compared to concentrates using other viscosity
reducing agents.
The aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprises the agricultural active ingredient in an
amount to allow application of the agrochemical active ingredient at an effective rate. The
"effective rate" can be experimentally determined and depends on the type of agrochemical
5 active ingredient used. The concentration of the active ingredient in the concentrate could
be also designed for ease of dilution by the end-user, e.g. to allow application at the desired
number of litres of product per hectare. The concentration of the active ingredient in the
concentrate could also be designed to reduce packaging and transportation costs. For
example, the agrochemical active ingredient may be up to 700 g/l, e.g. 10-500 g/l, e.g. 50-
10 300 g/l.
The aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprises an effective amount of the viscosity
reducing agent, e.g. a concentration such that the viscosity of the aqueous agrochemical
concentrate comprising the adjuvant is reduced compared to the absence of the agent. An
15 effective amount of the viscosity reducing agent may be experimentally determined.
For example, when the viscosity reducing agent is an aryl sulphonate or an aryl alcohol, it
may be present in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate at at least 1 g/l, at least 5 g/l, at
least 10 g/l, at least 20 g/l, at least 30 g/l, at least 50g/l, at least 100 g/l. The aryl sulphonate
20 or aryl alcohol may be present in the range from 1-500 g/l, from 10 - 400 g/l, from 10-200
g/l, from 10-150 g/l.
For example, when the viscosity reducing agent is an aliphatic alcohol, it may be present in
the aqueous agrochemical concentrate at at least 1 g/l, at least 5 g/l, at least 10 g/l, at least
25 20 g/l, at least 30 g/l, at least 50 g/l, at least 100 g/l I . The alcohol may be present in the
range from 1-500 g/l, from 10-400 g/l, from 10-200 g/l, from 10-150 g/l.
When the aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprises a suspending agent it will contain
an effective amount of the suspending agent. This may be experimentally determined.
30
The proportion of adjuvant relative to active ingredient can readily be selected by one skilled
in the art to meet the intended utility. Typically the w/w ratio of adjuvant to active ingredient
will range from 1: 50 and 200: 1 and preferably from 1: 5 to 20: 1.
35 The aqueous agrochemical concentrates of the invention may contain more than one type
of adjuvant, more than one type of viscosity reducing agent, and/or more than one type of
agrochemical active ingredient. In particular, the aqueous agrochemical concentrate may
include more than one viscosity reducing agent, e.g. it may contain an aryl sulphonate and
an alcohol, in particular an aryl sulphonate and an aliphatic alcohol, e.g. an aryl sulphonate
and an aliphatic mono alcohol. A preferred combination is cumene sulphonate and 2-
ethylhexanol.
5
The aqueous agrochemical concentrate may be various suitable formulation types, e.g. a
suspension concentrate, a mixture of a suspension concentrate and soluble liquid, a mixture
of a suspension concentrate and capsule suspension. Preferably, the aqueous
agrochemical concentrate is a suspension concentrate formulation.
10
In a further aspect, the invention provides use of a compound selected from:
i . an aryl sulphonate;
ii. an aliphatic mono alcohol;
iii. an aliphatic polyol comprising at least four contiguous carbon atoms; and
15 iv. an aryl alcohol;
for reducing the viscosity of an aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprising an adjuvant
selected from an alkoxylated aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic alcohol, an alkoxylated
aliphatic amide and an alkoxylated aliphatic amine, and an agrochemical active ingredient,
wherein the concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least
20 50g/l.
In one embodiment the compound is an aryl sulphonate, e.g. as described above. In
another embodiment the compound is an aliphatic mono alcohol, e.g. as described above.
In another embodiment the compound is an aliphatic polyol, e.g. as described above. In
25 another embodiment the compound is an aryl alcohol, e.g. as described above.
Preferably, the adjuvant is one as defined above. Preferably, the agrochemical active
ingredient is a fungicide, more preferably a fungicide from the SDHI class of fungicides,
even more preferably Isopyrazam.
30
In a further aspect, the invention provides a method comprising diluting the aqueous
agrochemical concentrate in a spray tank.
In a further aspect the invention provides a method of controlling or preventing infestation of
35 plants by phytopathogenic microorganisms by application of an aqueous agrochemical
composition comprising
a) an adjuvant selected from an alkoxylated aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic
alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide and an alkoxylated aliphatic amine; wherein the
concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l;
b) a compound selected from
i . an aryl sulphonate;
ii. an aliphatic mono alcohol;
iii. an aliphatic polyol comprising at least four contiguous carbon atoms; and
iv. an aryl alcohol; and
c) an agrochemical active ingredient
wherein the method comprises providing the agrochemical composition by diluting an
aqueous agrochemical concentrate, wherein the concentratin of adjuvant in the aqueous
agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l.
Preferably the adjuvant is one as defined above. Preferably, the agrochemical active
ingredient is a fungicide, more preferably a fungicide from the SDHI class of fungicides,
even more preferably Isopyrazam.
Anti-settling agents are added to formulations to prevent the separation of components on
long-term storage. Such anti-settling/structuring agents typically increase the viscosity of
the formulation. However, as the formulation often has to be poured by the end user it is
desirable for the stabilising structure to be easily broken by shear. In a suspension
concentrate formulation the anti-settling agent is usually a swelling clay such as bentonite
(sodium montmorillonite) which may be mixed with a water-soluble polymers to achieve
synergistic rheological effects. The water-soluble polymer is usually a cellulose derivative
or polysaccaharide such as Xanthan gum (Chemistry and Technology of Agrochemical
Formulations, DA Knowles, Kluwer Academic Publishers 1998). However, we have found
that commonly used suspending agents such as Bentopharm, Kelzan, Aerosil 200, Bentone
SD-3, Bentone 1000, Jaguar HP120, Hydroxy propyl cellulose, are ineffective at high
adjuvant concentration.
We have now surprisingly found that attapulgite clay is highly effective as a suspending
agent with alkoxylated adjuvants, e.g. those that display liquid crystalline behaviour at high
concentrations in water.
Accordingly, in a further aspect, the invention provides a method of suspending an
agrochemical active ingredient in an aqueous agrochemical concentrate, which aqueous
agrochemical concentrate comprises
a) an adjuvant, which adjuvant is an alkoxylated fatty acid, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol,
an alkoxylated fatty amide or an alkoxylated fatty amine, wherein the concentration of
adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l;
b) an agrochemical active ingredient;
the method comprising including, e.g. adding, attapulgite in the agrochemical
concentrate.
Attapulgite is a hydrous magnesium aluminum silicate clay mineral with a unique structure
made up of colloidal particles that are needle-like in shape. It is recognised as a distinct clay
mineral. Attapulgite is described for example in Wolford, Journal of ASTM International,
2007, Vol. 4 , No. 10, pages 1-4 (paper ID JAI100396), and in Haden. W. L . Haden, Jr.
Attapulgite: Properties and uses: in Clays and Clay Minerals, Proc. 10th Natl. Conf., Austin,
Texas, 1961
Sometimes a high adjuvant concentration is desirable in order to increase the efficacy of the
agrochemical active ingredient, or a high loaded formulation is more convenient for the enduser.
For example, the adjuvant may be present in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate
at at least 100g/l, at least 180g/l, or at least 230g/l. For example, the adjuvant may be 50 -
800 g/l of the agrochemical concentrate, e.g. 100 - 500 g/l, e.g. 150 - 400 g/l.
The adjuvant may be an alkoxylated aliphatic acid, alkoxylated aliphatic alcohol, alkoxylated
aliphatic amide or alkoxylated aliphatic amine as described above.
Preferably, the aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprises a viscosity reducing agent.
The viscosity reducing agent may be a hydrotrope, e.g. as described in WO 2005/013692.
Hydrotropes are generally considered to be molecules that solubilise hydrophobic
compounds in water. Typically, hydrotropes are amphiphiles and consist of a hydrophilic
part and a small hydrophobic part. Hydrotropes, e.g. those described in WO 2005/013692,
include anionic benzoates, anionic benzosulphonates, anionic phosphates and
phosphonates, anionic benzophosphates, arylphosphates and phosphonates, neutral
phenols such as catechol and resorcinol, aliphatic glycolsulfates, alicyclic bile salts, aliphatic
carboxylates, aromatic carboxylates, naphthalene sulphonates, alkynaphthalene
sulphonates, polymeric naphthalene sulphonates and their copolymers, aryl sulphonates
and carboxylates and their polymers and copolymers, naphthalene and alkylnaphthalene
phosphates and phosphonates and their polymers and copolymers, glycol and glycerol
ethers and the amino acid proline. Preferably, the viscosity reducing agent is selected from
an aryl sulphonate, an aliphatic alcohol, an aryl alcohol, as described above. We have
found that molecules from these classes function as viscosity reducing agents with the
adjuvants of the invention and are highly effective at reducing the viscosity of the liquid
phase.
Where possible the viscosity reducing agent may be provided in salt form or unprotonated
form. Suitable salts will be apparent to the person skilled in the art, e.g. alkali metal salts,
e.g. sodium and potassium salts, and ammonium salts. The viscosity reducing agent could
also be added to the formulation in the acidic form, forming the salt in-situ e.g. with a basic
surfactant or a basic active ingredient.
Preferably the agrochemical concentrate is a suspension concentrate as described above.
The agrochemical composition may contain other ingredients found in commercial
agrochemical concentrate formulations, e.g. surfactants, dispersants, polymers, wetting
agents, other adjuvants stabilizers, pH modifiers, anti-freeze agents, suspending agents,
emulsifiers, antifoam agents, pH stabilising agents, preservatives and the like.
The aqueous agrochemical concentrate preferably comprises an agrochemical active
ingredient. The agrochemical active ingredient may be any agrochemical active ingredient,
including pesticides, plant growth regulators, safeners, etc.. A pesticide is for example a
herbicide, fungicide or insecticide. These are described above.
In one embodiment the agrochemical active ingredient is fungicide from the class of
succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHI) as described above.
The aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprises the agricultural active ingredient in an
amount to allow application of the agrochemical active ingredient at an effective rate as
described above.
The aqueous agrochemical concentrate may comprise an effective amount of the viscosity
reducing agent as described above.
The aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprising attapulgite comprise an effective
amount of attapulgite. This may be experimentally determined. For example, the attapulgite
may be present in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate at a concentration of 1-40 g/l, e.g.
1-20 g/l, 5-20 g/l, e.g. 7-20g/l. Preferably the attapulgite will be present in the aqueous
agrochemical concentrate at at least 1g/l, at least 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 or 10 g/l.
The agrochemical concentrates of the invention may contain more than one type of
adjuvant, more than one type of viscosity reducing agent, and/or more than one type of
agrochemical active ingredient.
In a further aspect, the invention provides an aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprising
a) an adjuvant, which adjuvant is an alkoxylated fatty acid, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol,
an alkoxylated fatty amide or alkoxylated fatty amine, wherein the concentration of adjuvant
in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l;
b) attapulgite;
c) an agrochemical active ingredient;
Preferably, the aqueous agrochemical concentrate also comprises c) a viscosity reducing
agent that is capable of preventing the adjuvant from adopting a liquid crystalline phase
when mixed with water. Preferably, the agrochemical active ingredient is a fungicide, more
preferably a fungicide from the SDHI class of fungicides, even more preferably Isopyrazam.
In a further aspect, the invention provides use of attapulgite as a suspending agent in an
aqueous agrochemical concentrate, which aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprises
a) an adjuvant, which adjuvant is an alkoxylated fatty acid, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol,
an alkoxylated fatty amide or an alkoxylated amine, wherein the concentration of adjuvant in
the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l;
b) an agrochemical active ingredient.
Preferably, the aqueous agrochemical concentrate also comprises c) a viscosity reducing
agent that is capable of preventing the adjuvant from adopting a liquid crystalline phase
when mixed with water. Preferably, the agrochemical active ingredient is a fungicide, more
preferably a fungicide from the SDHI class of fungicides, even more preferably Isopyrazam.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a method comprising diluting in a spray tank the
aqueous agrochemical concentrate.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of controlling or preventing infestation
of plants by plant pests by application of an aqueous agrochemical composition to the
plants, plant parts or locus thereof, comprising
a) an adjuvant, which adjuvant is an alkoxylated fatty acid, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol,
an alkoxylated fatty amide or an alkoxylated fatty amine;
b) attapulgite; and
c) an agrochemical active ingredient;
wherein the method comprises providing the agrochemical composition by diluting an
aqueous agrochemical concentrate, wherein the concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous
agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l.
Preferably, the aqueous agrochemical concentrate also comprises d) a viscosity reducing
agent that is capable of preventing the adjuvant from adopting a liquid crystalline phase
when mixed with water. Preferably, the agrochemical active ingredient is a fungicide, more
preferably a fungicide from the SDHI class of fungicides, even more preferably Isopyrazam.
The terms alkoxylated fatty acid, alkoxylated fatty alcohol, alkoxylated fatty amide and
alkoxylated fatty amine are used interchangeably with alkoxylated aliphatic acid, alkoxylated
aliphatic alcohol, alkoxylated aliphatic amide and alkoxylated aliphatic amine respectively.
The present invention will now be described by way of the following non-limiting Examples.
Those skilled in the art will promptly recognize appropriate variations from the procedures
both as to reactants and as to reaction conditions and techniques.
All references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. All aspects
and preferred features of the invention may be combined with each other, except where this
is evidently not possible.
Examples
The composition of products used in the Examples was as follows:
Eltesol AC60 contains ammonium cumene sulphonate, 60%w/w ("Eltesol" is a trade mark).
Eltesol ST90 contains sodium toluene sulphonate 90%w/w.
Dowfax 2A1 and Dowfax 3B2 contain alkyl substituted diphenyl oxide disulphonate
surfactants (in Dow trade literature described as having hydrotropic and surfactant
properties in one molecule) ("Dowfax" is a trade mark).
Dowfax 2A1 contains a branched C12 diphenyl oxide disulphonate, sodium salt, 45%w/w
Dowfax 3B2 contains a linear C10 diphenyl oxide disulphonate, sodium salt, 45%w/w
Berol AG 6202 contains 2-ethylhexyl polyglucoside, 65%w/w ("Berol" is a trade mark).
Berol AG 6206 contains hexyl polyglucoside, 75%w/w
MeadWestvaco Diacid H-240 from MeadWestvaco contains the compound:
("MeadWestvaco" is a trade mark).
MeadWestvaco Diacid H-240 contains a C21 dibasic fatty acid, potassium salt, 40-45%w/w
MeadWestvaco H240 is described as containing a hydrotrope in MeadWestvaco trade
5 literature.
Rhodopol 23 contains standard grade xantham gum (antisettling agent) ("Rhodopol" is a
trade mark).
Atlox 4913 is polymethyl methacrylate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (dispersant)
("Atlox" is a trade mark).
10 Soprophor 4D384 is Tristyrylphenol-16 EO, ammonium sulphate (dispersant) ("Soprophor"
is a trade mark).
Aerosol OTB is 85%w/w sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, 15%w/w sodium benzoate (wetter).
Jaguar HP120 contains hydroxypropyl guar gum (anti-settling agent) ("Jaguar" is a trade
mark).
15 Amistar BIW is a commercial product containing azoxystrobin ("Amistar" is a trade mark).
The concentrations of hydrotropes quoted throughout the examples are the actual
concentrations of the hydrotropes used, they are not the use concentrations of the products
as supplied. The actual concentration quoted in the example can be converted into a
20 product concentration using the concentration listed above for each of the hydrotropes.
Example 1
An oleyl ethoxylate (20 ethoxylate units) butyl end capped adjuvant and various hydrotropes
were added to water, mixed by rolling and then the solutions were equilibrated in an oven at
25 40°C for a few days. The adjuvant was added at 40%w/v and the hydrotropes were added
at the concentrations quoted in Table 1. The viscosity of the liquid solutions was measured
using a Bohlin Gemini rheometer fitted with a C14 concentric cylinder geometry in controlled
strain rate mode. The viscosity at a shear rate of 100s 1 was measured over a temperature
range from 5°C to 40°C using a temperature increase of 1°C/minute.
30
The results at 5°C are shown in Table 1. The 40%w/v oleyl ethoxylate (20 ethoxylate units)
butyl end capped adjuvant solution without hydrotrope forms a highly viscous liquid
crystalline gel at 5°C. This sample was too viscous to determine an accurate measure of
the viscosity within the time-frame of the experiment.
Table 1
All of the hydrotropes listed in Table 1 prevented the formation of the highly viscous liquid
crystalline gel at 5°C.
These results show that aryl sulphonates and sodium salicylate are highly effective at
reducing the viscosity compared to other types of molecules commonly used as
hydrotropes.
Example 2
Isopyrazam suspension concentrate (SC) formulations were prepared with the compositions
shown in Table 2 . The Isopyrazam was bead milled in water containing the dispersing
agents and the wetting agent to produce a concentrated fine particle suspension. The other
formulation ingredients were added after the milling stage and incorporated with a high
shear Silverson mixer. The dispersing and wetting agents used in all these compositions
were a combination of Atlox 4913, Soprophor 4D384 and Aerosol OTB in a ratio of 18:6:1.
Table 2
Composition Composition Composition Composition Composition
1 (g/i) 2 (g/i) 3 (g/i) 4 (g/i) 5 (g/i)
Isopyrazam 125 125 125 125 125
Dispersing 15 15 15 15 15
agents
Wetting agent 0.63 0.63 0.63 0.63 0.63
Oleyl ethoxylate 300 300 300 300 300
20EO butyl end
capped
Eltesol AC60 - 50 60 90 150
Attapulgite clay 11 11 11 11 11
Rhodopol 23 3 3 3 3 3
Antifoam 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Preservative 1.625 1.625 1.625 1.625 1.625
Viscosity data for the compositions 1-5 is shown in Table 3 . The viscosity data was
measured using Anton-Paar MCR 301 and 501 Rheometers using a CC17 cup and bob
geometry. The samples were pre-sheared and left for 30 minutes before the viscosity was
measured at 5 °C. Composition 1 was too viscous to determine an accurate measure of the
viscosity within the time-frame of the experiment.
Table 3
It can be seen that increasing the concentration of Eltesol AC60 in the Isopyrazam
compositions breaks up the highly viscous liquid crystalline gel and leads to a decrease in
the viscosity of the suspension concentrate formulation at 5°C.
Example 3
An oleyl ethoxylate (10 ethoxylate units) butyl end capped adjuvant and the aryl sulphonate
Eltesol AC60 were added to water, mixed by rolling, and then the solutions were
equilibrated in an oven at 40°C for a few days. The adjuvant was added at 40%w/v and the
Eltesol AC60 was added at the concentrations quoted in Table 4 . The viscosity of the
solutions containing the oleyl ethoxylate (10 ethoxylate units) butyl end capped adjuvant
and the Eltesol AC60 was measured using a Bohlin Gemini rheometer fitted with a C14
concentric cylinder geometry in controlled strain rate mode. The viscosity at a shear rate of
100s 1 was measured over a temperature range from 5°C to 40°C using a temperature
increase of 1°C/minute.
The results at 5°C are shown in Table 4 . The 40%w/v oleyl ethoxylate (10 ethoxylate units)
butyl end capped adjuvant solution with no Eltesol AC60 present forms a highly viscous gel
at 5°C. This sample was too viscous to determine an accurate measure of the viscosity
within the timeframe of the experiment. Results are shown in Table 4 .
Table 4
These results show that aryl sulphonates are highly effective at reducing viscosity.
Example 4
An oleyl ethoxylate (10 ethoxylate units) uncapped adjuvant and the aryl sulphonate Eltesol
AC60 were added to water, mixed by rolling and then the solutions were equilibrated in an
oven at 40°C for a few days. The adjuvant was added at 40%w/v and the Eltesol AC60 was
added at the concentrations quoted in Table 5 . The viscosity of the solution containing the
oleyl ethoxylate (10 ethoxylate units) uncapped adjuvant and 20%w/v Eltesol AC60 was
measured using a Bohlin Gemini rheometer fitted with a C14 concentric cylinder geometry
in controlled strain rate mode. The viscosity at a shear rate of 100s 1 was measured over a
temperature range from 5°C to 40°C using a temperature increase of 1°C/minute.
The results at 5°C are shown in Table 5 . The 40%w/v oleyl ethoxylate (10 ethoxylate units)
uncapped adjuvant solutions with no Eltesol AC60 present and with 10%w/v Eltesol AC60
form highly viscous gels at 5°C. These samples were too viscous to determine an accurate
measure of the viscosity within the timeframe of the experiment. Results are shown in Table
5 .
Table 5
Viscosity reducing agent %w/v Viscosity (Pas)
None Highly viscous gel
10% Eltesol AC60 Highly viscous gel
20% Eltesol AC60 4.14
These results in Examples 3 and 4 show that when the adjuvants are butyl end capped a
lower level of viscosity can be achieved with the same amount of aryl sulphonate, compared
to the corresponding uncapped adjuvant.
Example 5
An oleyl ethoxylate (20 ethoxylate units) butyl end capped adjuvant and the aliphatic mono
alcohols in Table 6 were added to water, mixed by rolling, and then the solutions were
equilibrated in an oven at 40°C for a few days. The adjuvant was added at 40%w/v and the
aliphatic mono alcohols were added at the concentrations quoted in Table 6 . The viscosity
of the liquid solutions was measured using a Bohlin Gemini rheometer fitted with a C14
concentric cylinder geometry in controlled strain rate mode. The viscosity at a shear rate of
100s 1 was measured over a temperature range from 5°C to 40°C using a temperature
increase of 1°C/minute. The results at 5°C are shown in Table 6 .
Table 6
The 40%w/v oleyl ethoxylate (20 ethoxylate units) butyl end capped adjuvant solution
without hydrotrope forms a highly viscous gel at 5°C. This sample was too viscous to
determine an accurate measure of the viscosity within the timeframe of the experiment.
These results show that aliphatic mono alcohols are highly effective at reducing the
viscosity.
Example 6
An oleyl ethoxylate (20 ethoxylate units) butyl end capped adjuvant and the diols listed in
Table 8 were added to water, mixed by rolling, and then the solutions were equilibrated in
an oven at 40°C for one day. The adjuvant was added at 40%w/v and the diols were added
at 10%w/v. The viscosity of the solutions was measured using an Anton-Paar MCR501
rheometer using a CC17 cup and bob geometry. The viscosity at a shear rate of 100s 1 was
measured at 5°C . Results are shown in Table 7 .
The 40%w/v oleyl ethoxylate (20 ethoxylate units) butyl end capped adjuvant solution in
water forms a highly viscous liquid crystalline gel at 5°C. The solution containing 40%w/v
oleyl ethoxylate (20 ethoxylate units) butyl end capped adjuvant in combination with 10%w/v
propylene glycol also formed a highly viscous liquid crystalline gel at 5°C. Both of these
samples were too viscous to determine an accurate measure of the viscosity within the
timeframe of the experiment.
Table 7
These results show that aliphatic diols are highly effective at reducing the viscosity. In
comparison, addition of 10% w/v propylene glycol does not prevent formation of the highly
viscous liquid crystalline phase.
Example 7
Isopyrazam suspension concentrate (SC) formulations were prepared with the compositions
shown in Table 8 . The Isopyrazam was bead milled in water containing the dispersing
agents and the wetting agent to produce a concentrated fine particle suspension. The other
formulation ingredients were added after the milling stage and incorporated with a high
shear Silverson mixer. The dispersing and wetting agents used in all these compositions
were a combination of Atlox 4913, Soprophor 4D384 and Aerosol OTB in a ratio of 18:6:1 .
Table 8
Composition (g/l)
Isopyrazam 125
Dispersing agents 15
Wetting agent 0.63
Oleyl ethoxylate (20 ethoxylate units, butyl 250
end capped)
Eltesol AC60 150
Anti-settling agent Varied as detailed in Table 2
Rhodopol 23 3
Antifoam 0.25
Preservative 1.625
After manufacture 20 ml of formulation was stored in a 28 ml glass vial at 25°C and the
physical stability with time visually inspected. The % height of clear layer compared to the
total sample height in a 28 ml vial was measured. Table 9 demonstrates clear differences
in physical stability with variation in anti-settling agent. Water was used as the make-up
component when volumes of anti-settling systems were varied.
Table 9
As shown in Table 9 visual inspection indicated that formations stabilised using the common
anti-settling sytem of Bentopharm/Kelzan were unstable whereas formulation stabilised
using Attapulgite were satisfactorily stable.
Example 8
Formulations were prepared using the same method as outlined in Example 7 . 90 g/l of a
second active ingredient was added to the Isopyrazam and bead milled to achieve a
dispersion of fine particulates. In this example the level of Oleyl ethoxylate 20EO butyl end
capped was reduced to 235 g/l. A range of anti-settling systems was incorporated into this
mixture and the physical stability measured with time at a standard temperature. The % of
clear layer compared to the total sample height in a 28 ml vial was measured.
Table 10
Anti-settling agent Separation on Separation on Storage period
storage at 25°C storage at 40°C
Attapulgite (10 g/l) Trace Trace 4 weeks
Bentone SD-3 (10 13% 19% 3 weeks
g/L)
Bentone 34 (10 g/l) 18% 25% 3 weeks
Bentone 1000 (10 13% 18% 3 weeks
g/L)
Kelzan (2.8 g/l) 4% 38% 4 weeks
Hydroxypropyl 33% 37% 4 weeks
cellulose (2.5 g/l)
Jaguar HP120 31% 36% 4 weeks
Table 10 shows the surprising results that only attapulgite prevented significant separation
of the formulation over 3 or more weeks stationary storage.
Example 9
Samples prepared as described in Example 7 using a range of anti-settling agents.
Viscosity data for the compositions 1-5 is shown in Table 11. The viscosity data was
measured using Anton-Paar MCR 301 and 501 Rheometers using a CC17 cup and bob
geometry. The samples were pre-sheared and left for 30 minutes before the viscosity was
measured at 25 °C.
Table 11
Table 11 shows only Attapulgite ( 1 1 g/l) gives the highly shear thinning rheological profile
similar to commercial standard. A shear thinning rhelogical profile is commonly desirable to
allow the formulation of both physical stable and pourable, in this particular example it is
crucial due to the highly viscous nature of the mixture at low temperature yet highly mobile
behaviour at high temperatures.
Example 10
To make a commercially acceptable product it must be both physically stable and pourable.
Pourability can be measured using CIPCA method MT148. As described by this method
500 ml of product was placed in a stopper measuring cylinder and allowed to stand
undisturbed for 24 hours at the temperature indicated in the table below (Room temperature
or 5°C). The contained is then emptied at an angle of 45° for 60 seconds and then inverted
for 60 seconds. The percentage weight of the residue in the container with respect to the
total mass of the original 500 ml is deemed the pourability value. A pourability value of
below 5% is deemed acceptable for product registration.
Table 12 shows the results of a commercial standard and two formulations prepared using
the method outlined in example 7 .
Table 12
Table 12 demonstrates that these products have acceptable pourability values even at low
temperatures.

Claims
1. A method of reducing the viscosity of an aqueous agrochemical concentrate
comprising a) an adjuvant selected from an alkoxylated aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated
aliphatic alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide and an alkoxylated aliphatic amine, wherein
the concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l; the
method comprising including b) a compound selected from:
i . an aryl sulphonate;
ii. an aliphatic mono alcohol;
iii. an aliphatic polyol comprising at least four contiguous carbon atoms; and
iv. an aryl alcohol;
in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate;
wherein the aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprises an agrochemical active
ingredient.
2 . An aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprising
a) an adjuvant selected from an alkoxylated aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic
alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide and an alkoxylated aliphatic amine, wherein the
concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l;
b) a compound selected from
i . an aryl sulphonate;
ii. an aliphatic mono alcohol; and
iii. an aliphatic polyol comprising at least four contiguous carbon atoms; and
c) an agrochemical active ingredient.
3 . A method or aqueous agrochemical concentrate according to claim 1 or claim 2 ,
wherein b) is an aryl sulphonate and the aryl sulphonate is a compound of formula II:
A-SOs (II)
wherein A is phenyl optionally substituted by one or more groups independently selected
from C C8 alkyl, C C8 haloalkyl, hydroxy and halogen.
4 . A method or aqueous agrochemical concentrate according to claim 3 wherein A is
phenyl optionally substituted by one to three C 8 alkyl.
5 . A method or aqueous agrochemical concentrate according to claim 3 , wherein the
aryl sulphonate is cumene sulphonate.
6 . A method or aqueous agrochemical concentrate according to claim 1 or claim 2 ,
wherein b) is a aliphatic mono alcohol and the aliphatic mono alcohol is a compound of
formula III:
R4-OH (III)
wherein R4 is C4-C 6 alkyl optionally substituted by C3-C8 cycloalkyl, or C3-C8 cycloalkyl
optionally substituted by C C8 alkyl, or R4 is propyl.
7 . A method or aqueous agrochemical concentrate according to claim 6 , wherein R4 is
C -C 6 alkyl or C3-C6 cycloalkyl, or R4 is propyl.
8 . A method or aqueous agrochemical concentrate according to claim 7 , wherein the
aliphatic mono alcohol is selected from the group consisting of: n-hexanol, 2-ethyl hexanol,
n-butanol, cyclohexanol, n-octanol and isopropanol.
9 . A method or aqueous agrochemical concentrate according to claim 1 or claim 2 ,
wherein b) is an aliphatic polyol and the aliphatic polyol is an aliphatic diol of formula IV
R -OH (IV)
wherein R5 is C -C 6 alkyl optionally substituted by C3-C8 cycloalkyl, or C3-C8 cycloalkyl
optionally substituted by C C8 alkyl, and wherein R5 is substituted by one additional
hydroxy.
10. A method or aqueous agrochemical concentrate according to claim 9 , wherein the
aliphatic polyol is 2-ethyl 1,3 hexanediol, 1,2 pentanediol or 2-methyl 2,4 pentanediol.
11. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein b) is an aryl alcohol and the aryl
alcohol has the formula V:
B-OH (V)
wherein B is phenyl optionally substituted by one or more groups independently selected
from C C4 alkyl, C C haloalkyl, carboxyl, sulphonyl, hydroxy and halogen.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein B is phenyl substituted by at least carboxyl
or sulphonyl.
13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the aryl alcohol is salicylate.
14. A method comprising diluting in a spray tank the aqueous agrochemical concentrate
as defined in any one of claims 2 to 13.
15. Use of a compound selected from:
i . an aryl sulphonate;
ii. an aliphatic mono alcohol;
iii. an aliphatic polyol comprising at least four contiguous carbon atoms; and
iv. an aryl alcohol;
for reducing the viscosity of an aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprising an adjuvant
selected from an alkoxylated aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic alcohol, an alkoxylated
aliphatic amide and an alkoxylated aliphatic amine, and an agrochemical active ingredient,
wherein the concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least
50g/l.
16. A method of controlling or preventing infestation of plants by phytopathogenic
microorganisms by application of an aqueous agrochemical composition comprising
a) an adjuvant selected from an alkoxylated aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic
alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide and an alkoxylated aliphatic amine;
b) a compound selected from
i . an aryl sulphonate;
ii. an aliphatic mono alcohol;
iii. an aliphatic polyol comprising at least four contiguous carbon atoms; and
iv. an aryl alcohol; and
c) an agrochemical active ingredient;
wherein the method comprises providing the agrochemical composition by diluting an
aqueous agrochemical concentrate, wherein the concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous
agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l.
17. A method of suspending an agrochemical active ingredient in an aqueous
agrochemical concentrate, which aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprises
a) an adjuvant, which adjuvant is an alkoxylated fatty acid, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol,
an alkoxylated fatty amide or an alkoxylated fatty amine, wherein the concentration of
5 adjuvant in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l; and
b) an agrochemical active ingredient;
the method comprising including attapulgite in the agrochemical concentrate.
18. An aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprising
10 a) an adjuvant, which adjuvant is an alkoxylated fatty acid, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol,
an alkoxylated fatty amide or alkoxylated fatty amine, wherein the concentration of adjuvant
in the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l; and
b) attapulgite;
c) an agrochemical active ingredient.
15
19. An aqueous agrochemical concentrate according to claim 18, wherein the aqueous
agrochemical concentrate comprises a viscosity reducing agent that is capable of
preventing the adjuvant from adopting a liquid crystalline phase when mixed with water.
20 20. Use of attapulgite as a suspending agent in an aqueous agrochemical concentrate,
which aqueous agrochemical concentrate comprises
a) an adjuvant, which adjuvant is an alkoxylated fatty acid, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol,
an alkoxylated fatty amide or an alkoxylated amine, wherein the concentration of adjuvant in
the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l; and
25 b) an agrochemical active ingredient;
2 1. A method of controlling or preventing infestation of plants by plant pests by
application of an aqueous agrochemical composition to the plants, plant parts or locus
thereof, comprising
30 a) an adjuvant, which adjuvant is an alkoxylated fatty acid, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol,
an alkoxylated fatty amide or an alkoxylated fatty amine;
b) attapulgite; and
c) an agrochemical active ingredient;
wherein the method comprises providing the agrochemical composition by diluting an
35 aqueous agrochemical concentrate, wherein the concentration of adjuvant in the aqueous
agrochemical concentrate is at least 50 g/l.
22. An aqueous agrochemical concentrate, method or use according to any one of
claims 1 to 2 1, wherein the concentration of adjuvant in the concentrate is at least 0Og/l.
23. An aqueous agrochemical concentrate, method or use according to any one of
claims 1 to 2 1, wherein the concentration of adjuvant in the concentrate is at least 180g/l.
24. A method, use or aqueous agrochemical concentrate according to any one of claims
1 to 23, wherein the adjuvant is an alkoxylated aliphatic acid, an alkoxylated aliphatic
alcohol, an alkoxylated aliphatic amide or alkoxylated aliphatic amine, which acid, alcohol,
amide or amine has a C8-C2o alkyl or C8-C2o alkenyl group.
25. An aqueous agrochemical concentrate, method or use according to any one of
claims 1 to 24, wherein the adjuvant comprises compounds of formula I:
R -(CO) p-Z-[-R 20-] q-R3 (I)
wherein
Z is O, NH, or N(-[-R20-] q-R3) providing that Z is O or NH when p is 1;
R is C8-C2o alkyl or C8-C2o alkenyl;
each R2 is independently C2-C4 alkyl;
R3 is hydrogen or C C8 alkyl;
p is 0 or 1; and
q is 2 to 40.
26. An aqueous agrochemical concentrate, method or use according to claim 25,
wherein R3 is C C8 alkyl.
27. An aqueous agrochemical concentrate, method or use according to claim 25,
wherein
Z is O;
R' is C C2o alkyl or C -C2o alkenyl;
R2 is ethyl;
R3 is butyl;
p is 0 ; and
q is an average of 18-22.
28. An aqueous agrochemical concentrate, method or use according to any one of
claims 1 to 27, wherein the agrochemical active ingredient is a fungicide from the SDHI
class of fungicides.
29. An aqueous agrochemical concentrate, method or use according to any one of
claims 1 to 27, wherein the agrochemical active ingredient is Isopyrazam.
30. An aqueous agrochemical concentrate, method or use according to any one of
claims 1 to 27, wherein the aqueous agrochemical concentrate is a suspension concentrate.