SURFACTANT COMPOSITION AND SOLID AGROCHEMICAL COMPOSITION COMPRISING IT

Abstract

Claim 1: A surfactant composition comprising: (a) a sulfosuccinate-based compound; and (b) a C₁₆₋₂₂ alkyl sulfate or a C₁₆₋₂₂ alkyl ether sulfate. Claim 3: The surfactant composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sulfosuccinate-based compound is of general formula (1), wherein R¹ and R², being the same or different, are a compound of formula (4) wherein R³ is H, C₁₋₄ alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, or hydroxyalkenyl; R⁴ is C₁₋₂₂ alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, or hydroxyalkenyl; n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 100; X⁺ is H or a cation. Claim 5: The surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the C₁₆₋₂₂ alkyl sulfate is according to the general formula (2): R⁵OSO₃⁻M⁺ (2) wherein R⁵ is a C₁₆₋₂₂ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, either linear or branched, and M⁺ is a cation.Claim 6: The surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the C₁₆₋₂₂ alkyl ether sulfate containing C₁₆₋₂₂ alkyl is represented by the general formula (3): R⁶(AO)ₙOSO₃⁻M⁺ (3) wherein R⁶ is a C₁₆₋₂₂ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, either linear or branched; AO is ethylene oxide (EO), propylene oxide (PO) or a mixture thereof; n represents the degree of alkoxylation and is an integer from 1 to 100; M⁺ is a cation. Claim 11: A solid agrochemical composition comprising an agriculturally active ingredient and the surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Claim 15: A method for reducing or controlling foaming of a solid agrochemical composition, comprising the step of adding to the agrochemical composition (a) a sulfosuccinate-based compound; and (b) a C₁₆₋₂₂ alkyl sulfate or a C₁₆₋₂₂ alkyl ether sulfate.

Description

Description SURFACTANT COMPOSITION AND ITS USE This application claims priority over international application No. PCT / CN2018 / 104524 filed on September 7, 2018, and the full content of this application is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical field The present invention relates to a surfactant composition. The surfactant composition can be used notably as a low-foaming humectant for solid agrochemical formulations. The surfactant composition comprises a saliosuccinate-based compound and a C1-C2 alkyl sulfate or an alkyl ether sulfate containing a C1-C2 alkyl group. Background An agrochemical formulation is generally a homogeneous and stable mixture of active ingredients and inert components that makes the final product simpler, safer, and more effective to apply to a target pest. The active ingredients used in agrochemical formulations can be prepared and administered in various forms, such as powders, granules, emulsions, and dispersions. Consequently, agrochemical formulations can be in the form of a powderable solid, a powderable liquid, a powderable granule, etc. A Lipo formulation can be in a water-dispersible solid form, which can be sprayed for agricultural treatments after dilution. In particular, such formulations include water-dispersible granules (DDG), fluids (DE), and wettable powders (Wl). IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 1 of 30 solid active ingredient or a liquid active ingredient loaded onto a solid carrier, which may affect the interactions of WDG, DF and WP. Some active ingredients that are ultimately soluble in a final dilution useful for spraying may require initial dispersion in water for dissolution to take effect. These particular WDG active ingredients may alternatively be described as water-dispersible granules (i'JfiG) * An additional agrochemical formulation Lipo is a stable suspension of active ingredient(s) (solid) in a fluid intended to be diluted with water before use. Such formulations normally include the type of suspension concentrate formulation (SC) and suspension (SE). Yet another type of agrochemical formulation is to supply active ingredients (solids) on fertilizer carriers or inert materials. Such formulations are normally prepared as granules to be applied to soils and are called slow-dispersion granule formulations (SDG). In these formulations, the solid active ingredient or the liquid active ingredient loaded onto the solid carrier generally requires that it be completely redispersed to its primary particle size or remain completely dispersed, so that the formulation subsequently maintains a stable dispersion suitable for spraying. Furthermore, good wetting capabilities are desirable. In order to enhance the dispersion and wetting of the formulation, as well as provide many other benefits, additives are often added. IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 2 of 30 Surfactants in agro-chiraic formulations to improve performance. A common problem with agrochemical formulations based on active ingredients in solid dispersible or predispersed form is the development of foaming during dispersion and dilution processes. Foaming can occur when the formulations are agitated. Such foaming can lead to difficulties in achieving uniform spraying of the liquid. Additional difficulties include spillage or overflow of foam from the top of the mixing container. Furthermore, foaming may require a farmer to wait a long time for the foam to dissipate before spraying, or it may require the addition of defoaming agents, which can be expensive, such as those based on silicone oil emulsions. The ter.sioac L i vos eri t orinal a hundred agrochemicals can be the main source of foam formation. For example, alkyl sulfate and alkyl ether sulfate are known as wetting agents for agrochemical formulations. However, alkyl sulfate could cause significant foam formation. International patent publication PCT no. 2014 / 172469 discloses the use of alkyl sulfate and alkyl ether sulfate in a foaming agent composition. Several attempts have been made to provide low-foaming WP and KDü agrochemical formulations. It has been reported that alcohol alkoxylates can be used as low-foaming wetting agents. However, the resulting formulations exhibited a IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 3 of 30 poor dispersion performance. It is known that fatty acid salts reduce foam formation. However, the foam reduction capacity of fatty acid salts is not satisfactory. There is a need to provide a solid agrochemical formulation that has wetting capacity that can reduce foaming in the dispersion of agrochemical formulations, such as WP and WDG. There is a need to provide a method for reducing or controlling foaming in the dispersion of agrochemical formulations that are based on solid active ingredients. There is a need to provide a solid agrochemical formulation that provides low foaming combined with good wetting capabilities. Summary of the invention In one aspect, the invention provides a surfactant composition comprising: a sulfosuccinate-based compound; and {bi an alkyl sulfate or an alkyl ether sulfate containing C^-Cs alkyl?. bicha surfactant composition as notably a surfactant composition used for a solid agrochemical composition. Without intending to restrict itself to theory, the surfactant composition of the invention provides a combination of wetting and foam-reducing capabilities. Surprisingly, agrochemical formulations incorporating this surfactant composition have been found to exhibit reduced foaming when dispersed. The foaming of these formulations could be easily measured using foaming tests. IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 4 of 30 IC ΞΟ Ξ5 conventional ones known to an expert. In addition, the surfactant composition could provide the formulations with excellent wetting capabilities. The term "solid agrochemical composition," as used herein, means an agrochemical formulation containing a solid agriculturally active ingredient per se, or a solid / liquid agriculturally active ingredient formulated to give a solid form. Solid agrochemical composition includes formulations of water-dispersible granules (WUG), dry fluids (CF), wettable powder (WP), suspension concentrate (SC), suspension emulsion (SE), slow-dispersion granules (GR), and water-soluble granules (WSG), and any other type of solid dispersible formulation as may be classified from time to time by the Crop Life International organization. It is understood that solid agrochemical composition includes the dispersion and / or dilution of agrochemical formulations based on a solid active ingredient(s). In another aspect, the present invention provides a solid agrochemical composition comprising said composition, a surfactant, and a primary active ingredient. Accordingly, the solid agrochemical composition comprises: (a) an active agricultural principle, notably in solid form; (ib) a food base of its 1. fosa co i na to; and (c) an alkyl sulfate Cif-C?2 c· an alkyl ether sulfate containing alkyl Cie-Có;. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method for reducing or controlling the formation IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 5 of 30 of a spurious solid agrochemical composition, wherein the method comprises the step of adding to the composition a rensioactive composition comprising: a) a suliosuccinate-based compound; and b) a Cit-Cj2 alkyl sulfate or an alkyl ether sulfate containing Cie-Cz alkyl. Detailed description Throughout this description, including the claims, the term "comprising one" or "comprising at least one" should be understood as synonymous with "comprising at least one," unless otherwise specified. The terms "between" and "from... to..." should be understood as inclusive of the limits. The articles un, una and el are used to refer to one or more of the grammatical object of the article. It should be noted that in specifying any concentration range, weight ratio, or quantity, any particular concentration, weight ratio, or quantity above 20 may be associated with any particular lower concentration, weight ratio, or quantity, respectively. As used herein, the term alkyl means a saturated hydrocarbon radical, which may be linear, branched, or cyclic, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, scc-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, n-hexyl, cyclohexyl. As used herein, the term α-kenyl as a group indicates an aliphatic carbon-carbon double bond group that may be linear or branched. IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 6 of 30. Alkenyl groups may contain a plurality of double bonds in the chain, and the orientation around each bond is independently Δ or Δ. Examples of alkenyl groups include, but are not limited to: α, β-, γ-, β-, β-, γ-, β-, γ-, β-, γ-, γ-, γ-, and γ-. The group may be a terminal group or a bridging group. As used herein, the term hydroxyalkyl means an alkyl radical, which is substituted with hydroxyl groups, such as hydroxymethyl, hydroxyl, hydroxypropyl, and hydroxypropyl. Such a selection is made in the present document, the terminology, T!Cr.-Cnj ” in reference to an organic group, in which nym are each integers, indicates that the group can contain from n carbon atoms to m carbon atoms per group. As used herein, the term agriculturally acceptable salts refers to salts prepared from agriculturally acceptable nontoxic acids or bases, including inorganic or organic bases and inorganic or organic acids. Typical agriculturally acceptable salts referred to herein comprise an anion derived from the compound, for example, by deprotonation of a hydroxyl or hydroxyalkyl substituent, and one or more positively charged counterions. Suitable positively charged counterions include inorganic and organic cations, such as, for example, sodium cations, potassium cations, calcium cations, magnesium cations, isopropylamine cations, ammonium cations, and tetraalkylammonium cations. As used herein, alkyl sulfate CieC22” refers to an alkyl sulfate containing chain(s) IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 7 of 30 of C15-C22 alkyl alone or an alkyl sulfate containing substantially C1-C22 alkyl chains. An alkyl sulfate containing substantially C1,C22 alkyl chains means an alkyl sulfate containing a mixture of C15-C22 alkyl chains as well as additional alkyl chain(s), wherein the content of the C10-C22 alkyl chain(s) is at least 90% by weight of the total alkyl chains. As used herein, C1-C14 alkyl sulfate refers to an alkyl sulfate containing C1-C14 alkyl chain(s) or an alkyl sulfate containing substantially C1-C14 alkyl chains.An alkyl sulfate containing substantially C1-C1 alkyl chains means an alkyl sulfate containing a mixture of C1-C1 alkyl chains as well as longer alkyl chain(s), wherein the content of the C1-C1 alkyl chain(s) is at least 90.75% by weight of the total alkyl chains. The same should be understood when referring to the length of alkyl chains in alkyl ether sulfates. The surfactant composition of the present invention comprises (a) a sulfosuccinate-based compound; and (b) a C1e-C22 alkyl sulfate or an alkyl ether sulfate containing alkyl. Preferably, component (b) is a C1e-C2zz alkyl sulfate. The sulfosuacinate-based compound includes agriculturally acceptable salts of sulfosuccinic acid monoesters, agriculturally acceptable salts of sulfosuccinic acid diesters, each of which may be optionally alkoxylated, as well as mixtures thereof. Examples of the sulfosuccinate-based compound include, but are not limited to: IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 7 of 30 decyl-PEG-4 sulf cs -jccinsttj dissociation, lauryl ether-5 s'j I disodium fosuccinate, laurimlda (MEA; disodium sulfosucdlnattj, cocamide MIPA disodium sulfosuccinate, oleamido MIPA di sodium sulfosuccinate, oleylamido PEG-2 3 ul f osucci nato from di.sodium, cccamidc ME.A 1.0 disodium sulfosuccinate, MEA starch on I. disodium sulfosuccinate, sodium dioctylsuliosuccinate, bistrideci J on sodium sulfosuccinate, sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate, dicyclohexyl sulfosuccinate, sodium ibunirylate sodium, S'JIfosuccinate of 15 sodium. Preferably, the sulfosuccinate-based compound is according to the general formula (I): In .,. to A. Yes? We ' s — c y. I: <J(I) en la que: Ri and R¿, equal or different, .are ft, _or^Cn^.CHf in which Rj is H, aiqui lc C1-C4, alkenyl, hydroxyaikyl or hydroxyalkenyl, Lal cone moLylc, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl and preferably-butyl, 5 R−,ΐ is 11 or manyl,· IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 9 of 30 P.4 ss C1-C2 alkyl:, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl or, preferably C-.-Cií alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl, more preferably Cí-Cló alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenylc·, still more preferably Ca-Cls alkyl or hydroxyalkyl; n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 100, preferably 0 or an integer from 1 to 50, more preferably 0 or an integer from 1 to 30, in particular, n is an integer from 1 to 30(1; X is either a cation, for example, NH₄⁺, an alkali metal such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, an alkyl-substituted ammonium such as ethylamine, propylamine, and isopropylamine, and a hydroxyalkyl-substituted ammonium such as 1-canolamine. More preferably, the sulfosuccinate-based compound is according to the general formula (II: Ri ^0 o 'V·^ Λ A« Rl SÜ X0(I) in which: R. and P.2, whether the same or different, are Rí---O--, in which R< is C1-C22 alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl, preferably Ci-C:j alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl, more preferably C^-Cléj alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl, still more preferably Cg-Ci^ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl; X1 is H or a cation, for example, NH3, an alkali metal such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, or an ammonium substituted with IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 10 of 30 a.-cuilo such as ctrlamrca, propylaniir.aei soprooilamine, and a substituted ammonium cor. di droxy alkyl such as coro a Icario lamí na. Additional examples of the saliosaccinate-based compound include the Aerosol- series (Solvay), the Agrilan55o Lankropol® series (Akzo Nobel), the Empiminy series (Albright δ Wilson), the CropolG series (Cruda: , the Lutensit / ·· series (BASF), the Triton'^' series (Union Carbide), the Geropon4· series (Solvay), the Imbirel® series, Madeul- or Pul i rol'·1 (Cesalpinia). The C16-C22 alkyl sulfate suitable for the invention may be a linear alkyl sulfate or a branched alkyl sulfate. The C16-C22 alkyl sulfate may be a primary alkyl sulfate or a secondary alkyl sulfate. In the case of branched alkyl sulfates, the C16-C22 alkyl sulfate may comprise one, two, or more branches. The C16-C22 alkyl sulfate may be a combination of alkyl sulfates having different alkyl chain lengths and may be a combination of linear and branched alkyl sulfates. The Cit-C^z alkyl sulfate includes: 1. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from aleonols prepared by Oxo reaction in oligomers of polypylene or n-butylene; Ξ. primary alkyl sulfates derived from lipids containing oleic acid,* 3. primary alkyl sulfates, for example, the so-called tridecyl Lipes derived from the i.g. γ-g-merization of propylene with an acid catalyst followed by an oxo reaction; IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 11 of 30 4. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from Keodo.1” or Dobanol1' process alcohols: these are either producers of internal linear olefins or are oxo products of linear alpha olefins. The olefins are derived by oligomerization of ethylene to form alpha olefins that are either directly combined or isomerized to internal olefins and then metamorphosed to give internal olefins of different chain lengths; 5. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from the use of T,Neodol and Dcbanol type catalysts in internal definites derived from raw materials that differ from those normally used to prepare Ncodol or Dobar alcohols, the internal definites being derived from the dehydrogenation of petroleum paraffins; 6, primary alkyl sulfates derived from conventional oxo reaction (e.g., high pressure, cobalt-catalyzed) into internal deffins, the internal deffins being derived from the dehydrogenation of petroleum paraffins; 7. primary alkyl sulfates derived from reaction 20 of conventional Oxc (e.g., high pressure, cobalt-catalyzed; in alpha-definites; B. primary alkyl sulfates derived from natural linear fatty alcohols such as those commercially available from Procter & Gamble Co.; 9. your primary alkyl data derived from Ziegler alcohols such as those commercially available from Al berma r1e; 10. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from the reaction of normal alcohols with a Guerbet catalyst 30 The function of this well-known catalyst is to dehydrogenate two moles of normal alcohol to give the IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 12 of 30 3Ü corresponding aldehyde, condense them in an aldol condensation and dehydrate the product which is an alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehyde which is then hydrogenated to the primary alcohol branched with α-alkyl, all in a reaction in a container” j ; 11. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from the dimerization of isobutylene to form 2,4,4'-trimethyl-Lpentene which in the Oxo reaction gives the aldehyde, dimerization of the aldol, dehydration and reduction gives alcohols; 12. secondary alkyl sulfates derived from the addition of sulfuric acid to alpha-olfins or internal defins; 13. Primary alkyl sulfates derived from the oxidation of paraffins by the steps of (a) oxidizing the paraffin to form a fatty carboxylic acid; and (b) reducing the carboxylic acid to the corresponding primary alcohol; 14. Secondary alkyl sulfates derived from the direct oxidation of paraffins to form secondary alcohols; 15. Primary or secondary alkyl sulfates derived from various plasticizing alkyl alcohols, usually by oxo reaction on an olefin, aldol condensation, dehydration and dehydration (examples of suitable oxo catalysts are conventional CO, or more recently, Rh catalysts; and 16. Urinary or secondary alkyl sulfates other than the linear primary type, e.g., Iito, farnesol, isolated from natural product sources. IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 13 of 30 Preferably, the alkyl sulfate Ck-C^? is represented by the general formula (II): RsOSOjM+(II) wherein RDes is a C-β-Crm alkyl or hydroxy-alkyl group, either linear or branched, M1 is a cation, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, ammonium and organic derivatives thereof, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine or triethanolamine. In some preferred embodiments, M' is sodium or ammonium. Additional examples of Ci¿._C22 alkyl sulfate include LancLLo'- E and KollliphojA CSS (from BASF). The alkyl ether sulfate containing alkyl Cjc-Cl'í can be represented by (a general formula (i 11j : Re (AO) nOSOs M* (III) wherein Rs is a C16-C22 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, either linear or branched; A.0 is ethylene oxide (E0), propylene oxide (PC) or a mixture thereof preferably ethylene oxide; n represents the degree of alkoxylation, r. can be an integer from 1 to 30, preferably n is an integer from 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 1(1; M is a cation, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, ammonium, and organic derivatives thereof, such as m-acetethanolamine, diethanolamine, or triethanolamine. In some preferred embodiments, l-tes is sodium or ammonium. Examples of alkyl ether sulfate containing C1K.-C22 alkyl include sodium ketostearyl ether sulfate, sodium ceLyl ether sulfate, sodium stearyl ether sulfate, such as the ALEOTERRA^ series of nas-oí. IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 14 of 30 In a preferred embodiment, said surfactant composition further contains a Ci-Cu alkyl sulfate or an alkyl ether sulfate containing Ci-C:i alkyl. Accordingly, the present invention also relates to a sensitizing composition comprising (a) a sulfosuccinate-based compound, (b) a cis-C16 alkyl sulfate or a C16-C22 alkyl ether sulfate; and (c) a C16-C22 alkyl sulfate or a C16-C22 alkyl ether sulfate. Preferably, component (b) is at least 5% by weight of (b) and (c), such as 5% to 99% by weight of (b) and (c). More preferably, component (b) is at least 5% by weight of (b) and (c), such as 0% to 99% by weight of (b) and (c). Still more preferably, component (b) is at least 1% by weight of (b) and (c). £ by weight of ib) and ic), such as cie_ 1(1 % by weight at 99 <¡ by weight of :b) and (c) . In some embodiments, said CdC22 alkyl sulfate or alkyl ether sulfate is branched. In some embodiments, said Cl-Cj1 alkyl sulfate or alkyl ether sulfate is branched. In some embodiments, both the C'i-Cj alkyl sulfate or alkyl ether sulfate component and the Cl-Ck alkyl sulfates or alkyl ether sulfate component are branched. Examples of branched Ci-Cyn alkyl sulfates include sodium heptadecilsulfate and sodium isohexadecylsulfate. Examples of branched Ci-Cyn alkyl sulfates include sodium isotridecylsulfate and sodium isodecylsulfate. The composition of Lsnsioautivo can be provided as a differentiated composition for use in the dispersion of an active ingredient in solid form, such as IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 15 of 30 is formulated in a WDG, SC or WP, □ alternatively simply formulated together with the active ingredient. The composition of tena i cacti ve preferably contains the sulfosuccinate-based compound in an amount of 5 from 1¾ to 50%, more preferably from 1¾ to 35%, based on the Lethal Weight of the LensioacLivo composition. The surfactant composition preferably contains Ci₂Cn₂ alkyl sulfate or alkyl ether sulfate containing Ci₂-Cn₂ alkyl, in an amount from 0.5% to 50%. In some embodiments, this amount is from 5.75% to 35%, based on the total weight of the surfactant composition. In another aspect of the present invention, a solid agrochemical composition is provided comprising: (a) an agriculturally active principle; (b) a sulfosuccinate-based compound; and (c) an alkyl sulfate C1-C22 or an alkyl ether sulfate containing C1-C22 alkyl. In particular, a solid agrochemical composition is provided comprising: (a) an agriculturally active principle; (b) a sulfosuccinate-based compound; (c) an alkyl sulfate or an alkyl ether sulfate containing C1-C22 alkyl; and (d) an alkyl sulfate C1-C22 or an alkyl ether sulfate containing C1-C22 alkyl. The active ingredient is notably an active ingredient in solid form, or the active ingredient per se is solid, or the active ingredient is a solid or liquid that is provided in solid form, for example, loaded onto a solid carrier. IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 16 of 30 2ÍJ The active agricultural ingredient includes any chemical substance that adversely affects the longevity, reproductive capacity, and / or growth or metabolic function of plants, insects, fungi, and / or other various phyla. In particular, the active agricultural ingredient is one or more selected from a herbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide, an acaricide, and a rodenticide. The agriculturally active ingredient includes, without limitation, herbicides (e.g., triazines, ureas, and sulfonylureas), insecticides (e.g., imidacloprid, efpronil, and synthetic pyrethroids), fungicides, biocides, molluscicides, agaicides, plant growth regulators, anthelmintics, rodenticides, nomalocides, acaricides, amocicides, proctozoacides, crop protectants, adjuvants, or combinations thereof. Without limitation, examples of agriculturally active ingredients in granular or powder form in agricultural applications include triazine herbicides such as ultrazin, utrazine, terbathrazine, terbathrin, prometrine, and ametryn; urea herbicides such as diuron and fluometron; sulfonylurea herbicides. urea such as orsu1furon, metsulfuron motilo, nieosaliaren and triasulfurge; sulfonanilide herbicides such as flumetsalam; organophosphate insecticides such as azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, sulprofos and azamethiphos; .carbamate insecticides such as aldicarb, bendiccarb, carbaryl and 2-sec-butylphenyl methylcarbamate; synthetic pyrethroids such as bi ion L; fungicides including c; lo rota ion ii, d im.e temo f , benomyl, carbendazim, mancozeb; triazoles such as hexaconazole and di.ni conazole; and acaricides such as prooargiLa. IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 17 of 30 In some embodiments, the active agricultural ingredient is a triazine such as atrazine and simazine. In other embodiments, the active agricultural ingredient is a triazine, urea, or a combination thereof in a WDG c WP formulation. It is noted that the compositions may include one or more of an active agricultural ingredient. The solid agrochemical composition may comprise the surfactant composition, which contains the sulfosuccinate-based compound and the alkyl ether sulfate described herein, in an amount of 0.1 to 10%, preferably from 0.5 to 5%, based on the total weight of the solid agrochemical composition. The surfactant composition or the agrochemical composition according to the present invention may further comprise other agriculturally suitable components / excipients, such as solvents, pH modifiers, crystallization inhibitors, viscosity modifiers, suspending agents, spray pattern modifiers, pigments, antioxidants, light blocking agents, occluding agents, antifoaming agents, sequestering agents, neutralizing agents, corrosion inhibitors, dyes, odorants, spreading agents, penetration aids, emollients, lubricants, tackifying agents, dispersing agents, thickening agents, freezing point depressants, antimicrobial agents, and insect repellents. The surfactant composition or the agrochemical composition may include an additional wetting agent. Additional wetting agents are preferably 18 IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 18 of 30 Alkylpolysaccharides, alcohol ethoxylates, and alkylphenol ethoxylates. Since many of these are in liquid form, they are often provided in a solid form by incorporation into a solid matrix. Non-limiting examples of the alkylpolysaccharide class of wetting agents are alkylpolysaccharides and two derivatives of the reaction with glucose and a primary hydrocarbon alcohol. Examples of additional wetting agents that may be used include APG 325, PLANTAREN 2000, PLANTAR 13CC, AGRIMUL 2067 (all from Cognis Corporation), ATPLUS 438, and ATPLUS 438 (from Unjquema, Inc.). In some embodiments, the composition of tens i cacti, ve o 1.a agrocuimica composition further comprises an alkylpolysaccharide as an additional wetting agent, such as an alkylpolycoside (A?G). The surfactant composition or the agrochemical composition may further comprise a fatty acid salt. The fatty acid salt suitable for the invention may include any fatty acid suitable for use with an agriculturally active ingredient. In one embodiment, the fatty acid salt is a salt of a fatty acid C1 to C1, which may be saturated or unsaturated (for example, one of several degrees of unsaturation such as cis and / or trans). Without limitation, examples of saturated fatty acids include C12 (yauric acid), C12 (myristic acid), C13 (palmyric acid), and C14 (stearic acid). Without limitation, examples of unsaturated fatty acids include oleic acid and calcific acid. Fatty acid salts may include any suitable salt. Without limitation, examples of suitable salts include ammonium and alkali salts (e.g., M1I+, Ni3E3+), alkali metal salts (e.g., Ti+, Na+, K+), and alkali-earth salts (e.g., Mg2+ and 19+). IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 19 of 30 Ca21), and metal salts; ri va lenses (e.g. Al31). Without limitation, examples of suitable fatty acid salts include sodium learate, sodium oleate, aluminum phosphate, or combinations thereof. The surfactant or agrochemical composition may further comprise defoamers. Suitable defoamers include all common defoamers, preferably silica-based defoamers such as silicone oils, for example. Preferred defoamers are those from the linear polydimethylsilicon group having an average dynamic viscosity, measured at 25°C, in the range of 1003 to 8333 mPas, preferably 1200 to 6303 mPas, and containing silica. The silica comprises forms / modifications such as poly(Ib) acids, metasilicic acid, orthosilicic acid, silica gel, silicic acid gels, kieselguhr, precipitated SiCb, etc. The defoamers of the linear pelidimethicone group contain as their main chemical structure a compound of the formula HO-[Si (CHs) z20 ()— ]:— H, in which the extreme groups are modified, by means of et.verification for example, or, in general, they are joined to the groups - Si (Cha) r>. The amount of silica can be modified within a small interval and is generally in the range from 0.1 to 10 percent. 2% by weight, preferably 3.2 to 5% by weight, particularly 3.2% to 2% by weight, of silica, based on the weight of polydimethylsiloxane. Examples of defoamers of this class are Rhodorsil:Antifoam 416 and Rhodorsil Antifoam 481 (Solvay). Additional defoamers 3C of the group if 1 lioness is Rhodorsil·· 1824 (Solvay) , IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 20 of 30 .5 lb Antimussol 4459-2 (Clarinet), Defoamer V 4459 (Clariant), SE Visk and AS EM SEI 39 (Wacker). The surfactant or agrochemical composition may also include dispersing agents, which include but are not limited to alkylphenol condensate salts, sulfonated lignin salts, polyacid resin copolymer salts, polyphenol formaldehyde resin salts, polyaryl ether sulfate salts such as tristearin-phenolethoxylate sulfate salts, alcohols and alkoxylated alkylphenols, as well as ethylene oxide and copropylene oxide block copolymers. Examples of dispersants that may be used include Gerepon 7rjlr.rasperse, Gerepon' T / 36, Gerepon' 3C / 213, Gereponl TA / / 2, all from Solvay, Atlox Metasperse 5503 (Croda) and Tersperse 27 0(1 (Huntsman). The surfactant or agrochemical composition may also include other insoluble materials that can be used in agricultural applications as fillers and carriers, for example, but not limited to, natural and synthetic silicates and mineral silicate oxides and hydroxides, and also natural and synthetically derived organic materials. Such materials may be added as porous carriers, as moisture-inhibiting agents, to aid the binding and agglomeration properties of a formulation and / or to fill a formulation to a suitable weight. Examples of fillers may include natural silicates such as clay, synthetic precipitated silicas, clays such as kaolin, attapulgites and bentonites, also zeolites, titanium dioxide, iron oxides or hydroxides, aluminum oxides and hydroxides, amorphous silica and IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 21 of 30 in crystalline, diatomite, talc, mica, ureaformal resins and polypropylene and calcium carbonate, ammonium sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, calcium phosphate, urea and sodium carbonate or organic matter such as bagasse, coal or synthetic organic polymers; The solid agrochemical composition of the proposed invention may be formulations of WUG, DF, ??F, SC, ΞE, GR, WSG or any other type of solid dispersible formulation as may be classified from time to time by the Crop Life International organization. For example, the solid agrochemical composition may be a type of formulation, such as a suspension concentrate or suspoemulsion (SC, £E), comprising water. The solid agrochemical composition is usually dispersed in an aqueous medium before use. Dispersion can be achieved by any suitable method. For example, the method may take into account the nature of the composition and its compatibility with other components. In a preferred embodiment, the dispersion of the composition in an aqueous solution is carried out either manually or with minimal mechanical agitation. Mechanical agitation may include stirring, mixing, combining, and other suitable processes. The pTT of the aqueous dispersion can range from 2.0 to 1 C.C., preferably from 0.5 to 9.0. The solid agrochemical composition may be prepared by mixing a combination of components including the ronsioactive composition described herein; a combination of components may refer to an intimate mixture of components, optionally formulated together as a WDC, DE, WP, SC, SE, GR or WaG, or merely the placement IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 22 of 30 of the respective components together in a dispersion or mixing vessel, or any other mixing medium in between. The preparation of an aqueous dispersion of the solid agrochemical composition refers to preparing and dispersing a combination; this may include providing all the components formulated together as a WLG, DE, WP, SO, SE, GK, or WSG, or the active ingredient formulated as a WCG, DF, WP, SC, SE, GR, or WSG, and the surfactant composition or part of the surfactant composition described herein is provided either as separate components or as a tank mix within the dispersion vessel or tank. When at least one or more of the components are provided separately, they may optionally be mixed together first before dispersion, or alternatively, simply mixed during the dispersion process. In yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for reducing or controlling foaming in a solid agrochemical composition, comprising the step of adding the surfactant composition described herein to the agrochemical composition. Foaming in dispersions of the agrochemical composition can be reduced by incorporating said surfactant composition into the agrochemical composition. The solid agrochemical compositions according to the present invention are especially suitable for use in crop protection, where the compositions are applied to plants, parts of plants, or the cultivated area, such as the soil in the cultivated area. In the event that the disclosure of any patent, patent application and publications that are incorporated into the IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 23 of 30. If any reference to the present description conflicts with the description of the request to the point that it may make a term unclear, the present description shall prevail. Examples Materials Atrazine; 97% purity, from Hebei Shanli Chenrica' Co.fLtd; Chlorothalonil: from Suli Co., LLd.; Siinazine: from Zhejiang Zhongshan Chemical Industry Croup Co., Ltd.; Sulfusuccinate-based compound (SSj : sodium d-lactyl sulfosuccinate; Alkyl Sulfa Lo (AS J : - ASI: Sodium salt of C:£-C:3 alkyl sulfate synthesized from natural Ci^-Cie alcohol, Cló / Ciíj^29 / 7 1 ; A$2: Sodium salt of Co-Cu alkyl sulfate; Alkylpolysaccharide (AP): APG0810 from Yangzhou Chenhua New Material Co., LLd.; bispersant.es: Solvay's GeroponQi Ultrasperse; Water C: Conventional water from Cl. PAC, hardness of 500 ppm; Water D: Conventional water from CIPAC, hardness of 32 ppm. Tests on formulations prepared using the liquid mixing method 2b The ability of the surfactant composition of the invention to reduce the formation of coarse residue was tested using formulations obtained by mixing the active ingredient, dispersant, and wetting agent in water without a granulation process (mixing method of 0 liquids! The test allows for a quick and accurate assessment of foam formation and results. IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 24 of 30. These results are consistent with the results obtained using the conventional foaming test developed by the Collaborative International Pesticides Analytical Council (CZPAC) and described in method MT 5 47.2, which employs a granulation process. First, the foaming of formulations prepared using the liquid mixing method mentioned above was tested against the foaming of 10-granule formulations measured according to the procedure described in CZPA.C M'l· 47.2. The results are shown in Table 1 below: Table 1 No. 1 No. 2 No. 4 Formulation Active ingredient Atrazine — ' - - — — Dispersant Geropon- Ultrasperse Wetting agent Rodapon·- 1 -.S-94 / WF G eropon ” L - WET / 1 Formulation method Granule Liquid Granule-liquid Foam formation (mm) 0 ' ' 82 7 0 76 62 1 ' 02 70 16 20 1 1 J 54 78 2 6 RodaponOIL3-94 / W? used in the previous tests was a wetting agent that by itself caused high foaming, while Geropon'L-WET / P was a wetting agent that caused comparatively low foaming. The results showed that the foaming test results of formulations prepared by the mixing method of IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 25 of 30. Liquids showed a relatively high foaming tendency compared to formulations prepared using the conventional granular method, in both high and low foaming formulations. These results demonstrate that the liquid mixing method can allow for an accurate evaluation of foaming in agricultural formulations. For foaming tests, arrazine formulations were prepared using the mixing method of 1.0 liquids and according to the recipe below; Table 2 Components Content (% by weight; excluding filler) Atrazine (97.75) 92.6.75 Dispersant 4.5.75 Surfactant composition 2% 2G The formulations were prepared using the following procedures. The active ingredient atrazine was jet milled prior to use and then combined with the dispersion agent to form a powder mixture. The powder mixture was then diluted with Aqua D (conventional CTFAC water, hardness 342 ppm) to form a 5% wt% (solids content) solution A. Solution B was prepared by diluting the surfactant composition with Aqua D to give a final solids content of 2.5¾ wt%. The freshly prepared solutions A and B were mixed in a cylinder for foam evaluation. Typically, 19.46 g of solution A and 8 g of solution B were added to the cylinder, which was then filled to 2.50 ml with Aqua D. The cylinder was then inverted 30 times. The cylinder was then held vertically and kept in a 3°C water bath. IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 26 of 30 The volume of foams generated in the formulations was recorded at different time points after mixing, i.e., C s, 1 min and 3 min. The various surfactant compositions subjected to the foaming test and the results are shown in Table 3 below: Table 3 Surfactant composition (wt%) Foam volume (mm) SS No. ASI AS2 AP 0 1 1 1 r 3' EJ1 10.0 90 . C - - 38 3 0 30 EJ2 Ί 5.0 05. C - - 4 0 5 0 EJ3 30.0 1C . C - - / . 3 16 4 EJ4 50.0 5C . C - 4 6 8 2 EJ5 7 0.0 30.0 - — 52 26 Ό EJ6 5.0 5.0 90.0 - 56 5 6 4 0 EJ7 5.0 10.0 8 5.0 - 80' 22 10 EJ8 Ί 5.0' 15 . 0 70.0 - 72 28 EC1 - 100 - - 50 5 0 50 EC2 100' - - — 80 SO 80 EC 3 1 0 - 90' - 86 36 8 8 EC 4 15 - 85 — 88 3 3 8 8 EC 5 20 - 80 - 86 86 8 6 Ece - 100 78 73 78 EC 7 25 - 55 20 72 72 7 2 (F.-J” means example and means comparative example) The results showed that the surfactant composition of the invention led to a significantly reduced foam formation compared to other surfactant compositions tested. The reduced foam formation was indicated by the reduced volume of foam formation in the first stage: ions after agitation. IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 27 of 30 Tests on WDG formulations In this set of experiments, WDG formulations were prepared and the properties of the formulations were tested, including suspension capacity, foaming ability and disintegration. b'DG segur granules were prepared, the formulations shown in Table 4 below: Table 4 FJ9 EJ10 EC 8 EC9 EJ11 EC10 EJ12 EC11 Formulation {% by weight) at razlna ¢97¾) 92.8 92.8 92.8 92.8 - - - Chlorothalonil - - - 91.5 91.5 - - Si iría zi na - - - - - - 92,8 92.8 Wetting agent 1 Ξ 2 - - 2 - 2 - Wetting agent 2 - - 2 2 - 2 - 2 Dispersant 4.5 4.5 4 . i 4 . in 6 6 4 4 Caojín 0.7 0.2 C . 7 0.2 0 . 5 C . 5 1.2 1.2 EDEA-2Na - 0.5 - O.iS — - - - Tot al 100 10 0 1 cc 100 100 ICO 100 100 Wetting agent 1 is the surfactant composition according to example 4. Wetting agent 2 is the surfactant composition according to comparative example 6. The granule formulations were prepared by first mixing the solid active ingredient and then combining it with the dispersant and wetting agent powder in a laboratory mixer. An amount of water of approximately 2% (w / w) was added after the powder was mixed under agitation. The powder was then partially extracted. IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 28 of 30 Ξ5 wet through a 1 mm sieve in a laboratory-scale basket-type extruder. The extruded strands were broken to an approximately uniform size by stirring and then dried to a residual water content of approximately 0.5¾ (ρ / ρ). The foaming of the formulations was measured following the procedure described above. Foaming was measured at room temperature and 30°C 1 min after stirring, respectively. The suspension capacity of the formulations was measured following the procedure described in CTPAC method MT15. In general, 2.5 g granules were dissolved in water (CIPAS conventional water, 503 ppm hardness) at 3°C ​​and then transferred to a cylinder. The sample was filled to 250 ml with water and the cylinder was sealed. The sample was thoroughly stirred and then placed in a 30°C water bath for 30 min. Then, 225 ml of the suspension was removed from the top and the remaining 25 ml at the bottom was transferred to a glass plate, dried, and weighed. The degree of suspension capacity was calculated as: (total weight of granule - weight of residue) / total weight of granule. The total weight of the granule is 2.5 g in this case. Disintegration was measured using the following procedure. ICG µL of water C (300 mL or 100 mL) was added to a cylinder, 1.3 g of the '?j'LjG granules were transferred to the cylinder, and it was sealed. The cylinder was inverted at a rate of 2 seconds per inversion until the granules were completely dispersed. The time required for complete dispersion was recorded. The results are shown in Table 5 below. Table 5 IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 29 of 30 EJ9 EJ10 EC8 EC9 EJ11 EC10 EJ12 EC11 Suspension capacity 95.2¾ 98.6¾ >99% 99% 95% >99% 98.1% 98.2% Foaming {3CPC, mnQ C 0 76 8 0 0 70 8 68 Disintegration (30°C) 28' r 28 r ' 30 r ' 30' r 30 1 ' 32 r ' 3C r ' 36 1 ' Disintegration Í1CKC) 52 Á3 >120 ' ' 60' r 52' ​​' 70 f 1 56 r ' >120 ' ' The results showed that the surfactant composition of the invention (e.g., wetting agent 1) led to a satisfactory suspension capacity. Furthermore, formulations containing the surfactant composition of the invention exhibited reduced foaming compared to those containing short-chain alkyl sulfate alone (e.g., wetting agent 2). Additionally, formulations incorporating the surfactant composition of the invention exhibited a shorter disintegration time at low temperatures. Such faster disintegration is particularly advantageous for solid agrochemical formulations, especially for use in low-temperature environments. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI Page 30 of 30 Argentine Republic - National Executive Branch 2019 - Year of Exports Additional Signature Sheet Graphic Report Number: IF-2019-102441086-APN-ANP#INPI CITY OF BUENOS AIRES Friday, November 15, 2019 Reference: 20190102544 The document was imported by the GEDO system with a total of 30 page(s). Digitally signed by GESTION DOCUMENTAL ELECTRONICA- GDE Date: 2019.11.15 13:42:33-03:00 Marcelo Esteban Rubino Administrative Assistant National Patent Administration National Institute of Industrial Property Digitally signed by DOCUMENTAL MANAGEMENT ELECTRONICS-GDE Date: 2019.11.15 13:42:34 -03:00

Claims

1. A surfactant composition, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a sulfosuccinate-based compound, present in an amount from 1% to 50%, based on the total weight of the surfactant composition wherein the sulfosuccinate-based compound is an agriculturally acceptable salt of sulfosuccinic acid monoester, an agriculturally acceptable salt of sulfosuccinic acid diester, each of which is optionally alkoxylated, or a mixture thereof; and (b) a C16-C22 alkyl sulfate or an alkyl ether sulfate containing C16-C22 alkyl, present in an amount from 1% to 90%, based on the total weight of the surfactant composition wherein the C16-C22 alkyl sulfate is according to the general formula (II): R 5 OSO -3M + (II) wherein R 5 is a C16-C22 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, either linear or branched, M + is a cation;and wherein the alkyl ether sulfate containing C16-C22 alkyl is represented by the general formula (III): R6(AO)nOSO-3M+ (III) wherein R6 is a C16-C22 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, either linear or branched; AO is ethylene oxide (EO), propylene oxide (PO), or a mixture thereof; n represents the degree of alkoxylation and is an integer from 1 to 100; M+ is a cation. Eight claims follow;