LIQUID PESTICIDE COMPOSITION

Abstract

LIQUID PESTICIDE COMPOSITION. This is a liquid pesticide composition comprising: (a) 3 to 10% by mass of a pesticide active ingredient having a water solubility at 25°C of 15 ppm by mass or less and a melting point of 10°C or more; (b) 3.6 to 60% by mass of a first solvent which is e-caprolactone; (c) 19.5 to 85% by mass of a second solvent having a water solubility at 25°C of 1% by mass or less; and (d) 1 to 30% by mass of a surfactant, wherein the total content of the pesticide active ingredient, the first solvent, the second solvent and the surfactant is 60% by mass or more, the content of the first solvent relative to the content of the pesticide active ingredient is 1.2 to 15.0 times by mass and the content of the second solvent relative to the content of the pesticide active ingredient is 6.5 to 25.0 times by mass.

Description

[001] The present invention relates to a liquid pesticide composition. BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNIQUE

[002] International Open Patent No. WO 2014 / 119519 (PTL 1) discloses an emulsifiable pesticide composition containing a particular pesticide active ingredient, a polar solvent, a non-polar solvent, and a surfactant. US Open Patent No. US 2002 / 0042440 (PTL 2) discloses an emulsifiable composition for insect control containing a particular pesticide active ingredient, a weakly polar solvent, an emulsifier, and optionally, an additional solvent. LIST OF CITATIONS PATENTARY LITERATURE PTL 1: International Patent Open No. WO 2014 / 119519 PTL 2: Open US Patent No. US 2002 / 0042440 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM WITH THE TECHNIQUE

[003] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid pesticide composition comprising a pesticide active ingredient having a water solubility at 25 °C of 15 ppm by mass or less and a melting point of 10 °C or more, wherein the liquid pesticide composition has excellent storage stability at low temperatures as well as excellent emulsion stability when mixed with water. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[004] The present invention provides a liquid pesticide composition described below.

[005] [1] A liquid pesticide composition comprising: Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 8 / 41 2 / 34 (a) 3% by mass to 10% by mass of a pesticide active ingredient that has a solubility in water at 25 °C of 15 ppm by mass or less and a melting point of 10 °C or more; (b) 3.6% by mass to 60% by mass of a first solvent which is εcaprolactone; (c) 19.5% by mass to 85% by mass of a second solvent having a solubility in water at 25 °C of 1% by mass or less; and (d) 1% by mass to 30% by mass of a surfactant, a total content of the pesticide active ingredient, of the first solvent, of the second solvent and of the surfactant being 60% by mass or more, a content of the first solvent relative to a content of the pesticide active ingredient being 1.2 times by mass to 15.0 times by mass, a content of the second solvent relative to the content of the pesticide active ingredient being 6.5 times by mass to 25.0 times by mass.

[006] [2] The liquid pesticide composition, according to [1], wherein the active pesticide ingredient has a solubility in water at 25 °C of 0.1 ppm by mass to 10 ppm by mass and a melting point of 30 °C to 300 °C.

[007] [3] The liquid pesticide composition, according to [1] or [2], wherein the active pesticide ingredient has a partition coefficient (logP) between 1-octanol and water at 25 °C of 2.5 to 5.0, preferably 3.0 to 4.5.

[008] [4] The liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the content of the active pesticide ingredient is from 4% by mass to 10% by mass.

[009] [5] The liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the content of the first solvent is from 5% by mass to 40% by mass, preferably from 10% by mass to 30% by mass. Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 9 / 41 3 / 34

[010] [6] The liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the content of the second solvent is from 40% by mass to 80% by mass, preferably from 50% by mass to 75% by mass.

[011] [7] The liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the surfactant content is from 5% by mass to 20% by mass.

[012] [8] The liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the content of the first solvent in relation to the content of the active pesticide ingredient is from 1.3 times by mass to 6.0 times by mass, preferably from 1.3 times by mass to 3.3 times by mass.

[013] [9] The liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the content of the second solvent in relation to the content of the active pesticide ingredient is from 7.0 times by mass to 13.0 times by mass, preferably from 7.0 times by mass to 9.0 times by mass.

[014]

[10] The liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the second solvent comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon.

[015]

[11] The liquid pesticide composition, according to

[10] , wherein the aromatic hydrocarbon comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of alkyl benzenes and alkyl naphthalenes.

[016]

[12] The liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein the active pesticide ingredient is one or more selected from the group consisting of mefentrifluconazole, pyraclostrobin, pidiflumetofen, pyridaclomethyl and 2-[(3-{2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-[3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6tetrahydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl]phenoxy}pyridin-2-yl)oxy]ethyl acetate. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[017] It is possible to provide a liquid pesticide composition comprising a pesticide active ingredient having a water solubility at 25 °C of 15 ppm by mass or less and a melting point of 10 °C or more, wherein the composition Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, p. 10 / 41 4 / 34 liquid pesticide has excellent storage stability at low temperatures as well as excellent emulsion stability when mixed with water. DESCRIPTION OF THE MODALITIES

[018] A liquid pesticide composition according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to simply as a liquid pesticide composition) comprises: (a) a pesticide active ingredient that has a water solubility at 25 °C of 15 ppm by mass or less and a melting point of 10 °C or more (hereinafter, also referred to as a hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient); (b) a first solvent which is ε-caprolactone; (c) a second solvent that has a solubility in water at 25 °C of 1% by mass or less; and (d) a surfactant.

[019] The term liquid refers in this document to being fluid at 25 °C. Preferably, the liquid pesticide composition is a liquid in which at least the active pesticide ingredient, among its ingredients, is completely or almost completely dissolved in the solvent. More preferably, the liquid pesticide composition is a liquid in which at least the active pesticide ingredient and the surfactant, among its ingredients, are completely or almost completely dissolved in the solvent. Still preferably, the liquid pesticide composition is a liquid in which all its ingredients are completely or almost completely dissolved in the solvent.

[020] The liquid pesticide composition can be used appropriately as a liquid pesticide formulation called an emulsifiable concentrate (EC) in the pesticide field. Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 11 / 41 5 / 34

[021] A detailed description will be given below of what the liquid pesticide composition according to the present invention contains or may contain.

[022] (a) Hydrophobic Pesticide Active Ingredient The liquid pesticide composition contains one, two or more hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients.

[023] Examples of hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients include an insecticidal active ingredient that has a water solubility at 25 °C of 15 ppm by mass or less and a melting point of 10 °C or more (hereinafter in this document, also referred to as hydrophobic insecticidal active ingredient), a fungicidal active ingredient that has a water solubility at 25 °C of 15 ppm by mass or less and a melting point of 10 °C or more (hereinafter in this document, also referred to as hydrophobic fungicidal active ingredient), and a herbicidal active ingredient that has a water solubility at 25 °C of 15 ppm by mass or less and a melting point of 10 °C or more (hereinafter in this document, also referred to as hydrophobic herbicidal active ingredient).

[024] Examples of the hydrophobic insecticidal active ingredient are listed below:

[025] abamectin, acrinathrin, alpha-cypermethrin, bifenthrin, buprofezin, chlorantraniliprole, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, chromafenozide, cyantraniliprole, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, diflubenzuron, esfenvalerate, etofenprox, etoxazole, fenoxycarb, flubendiciamide, gamma-cyhalothrin, indoxacarb, lufenuron, methoxyfenozide, oxazosulfyl, pirimiphos-methyl, pyridaben, pyriproxyfen, spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, tebufenozide, teflubenzuron, tefluthrin, triflumuron.

[026] Examples of the hydrophobic fungicidal active ingredient are listed below:

[027] ametoctradine, amisulbrom, azoxystrobin, benthivalicarb-isopropyl, benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, Bordeaux mixture, boscalid, bupyrimate, capitan, chlorothalonil, copper oxychloride, copper (II) sulfate, cyazofamide, cyflufenamide, Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 12 / 41 6 / 34 ciprodinil, difenoconazole, dimoxystrobin, dithianon, epoxiconazole, famoxadone, fenbuconazole, fenpicoxamide, florylpicoxamide, fludioxonil, fluindapyr, fluopicolide, fluoxastrobin, fluquinconazole, flutolanil, fluxapyroxad, folpet, folpel, ipconazole, isofetamide, isoflucipram, cresoxim-methyl, mancozeb, mandipropamide, mefentrifluconazole, mepanipyrim, methylproline, metrafenone, methyltetraprol, oxathiapiproline, pencicuron, penflufen, penthiopyrad, picoxystrobin, proquinazid, pidiflumetofen, pyraclostrobin, pirapropion, pyridaclomethyl, pyriophenone, quinoxifen, sedaxane, sulfur, tolclofos-methyl, trifloxystrobin, triflumizole, triticonazole, ziram, zoxamide.

[028] Examples of the hydrophobic herbicidal active ingredient are listed below:

[029] aclonifen, amidosulfuron, beflubutamide, benfluralin, bifenox, desmedifam, diflufenican, flumioxazin, flurtamon, halosulfuron-methyl, isoxaben, isoxaflutol, lenacil, mesosulfuron-methyl, oryzalin, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen, pendimethalin, penoxsulam, fenmedifam, picolinafen, propaquizafop, propizamida, piraflufen-ethyl, 2-[(3-{2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-[3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6tetrahydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl]phenoxy}pyridin-2-yl)oxy]ethyl acetate.

[030] The liquid pesticide composition may contain one or more hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic insecticidal active ingredients, hydrophobic fungicidal active ingredients and hydrophobic herbicidal active ingredients. Each of the hydrophobic insecticidal active ingredients, hydrophobic fungicidal active ingredients and hydrophobic herbicidal active ingredients may comprise one, two or more types of the same ingredient.

[031] Preferably, the liquid pesticide composition contains one or more hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients selected from the group that Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 13 / 41 7 / 34 consists of the hydrophobic insecticidal active ingredient, the hydrophobic fungicidal active ingredient, and the hydrophobic herbicidal active ingredient, except for methyltetrapol.

[032] More preferably, the liquid pesticide composition contains one or more hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients selected from the group consisting of the hydrophobic fungicidal active ingredient and the hydrophobic herbicidal active ingredient. Each of the hydrophobic fungicidal active ingredient and the hydrophobic herbicidal active ingredient may comprise one, two or more types of the same ingredient.

[033] More preferably, the liquid pesticide composition contains one or more hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients selected from the group consisting of the hydrophobic fungicidal active ingredient and the hydrophobic herbicidal active ingredient, except methyltetrapol.

[034] Even more preferably, the liquid pesticide composition contains one or more hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients selected from the group consisting of DM fungicides, such as mefentrifluconazole, QoI fungicides, such as azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin, SDHI fungicides, such as bixafen, benzovindiflupir, fluxapyroxad, isoflucipram and pidiflumetofen, β-tubulin polymerization inhibitor fungicides, such as pyridaclomethyl, and protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor herbicides, such as 2-[(3-{2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-[3-methyl-4(trifluoromethyl)-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl]phenoxy}pyridin-2yl)oxy]ethyl acetate. The fungicides classified above are based on the FRAC classification of mode of action, and the herbicides are classified according to the HRAC classification of mode of action. Each hydrophobic fungicidal active ingredient and each hydrophobic herbicidal active ingredient may comprise one, two, or more types of the same ingredient.

[035] Particularly preferably, the liquid pesticide composition contains one or more hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients selected from Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 14 / 41 8 / 34 of the group consisting of DMI fungicides, QoI fungicides, SDHI fungicides, β-tubulin polymerization inhibitor fungicides and protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor herbicides, except methyltetraprol.

[036] In one embodiment, the liquid pesticide composition contains one or more hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients selected from the group consisting of mefentrifluconazole, azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, bixafen, benzovindiflupir, fluxapyroxad, isoflucipram, pidiflumetofen, fenpicoxamide, florylpicoxamide, chlorothalonil, folpel, mancozeb, cyprodinil, pyridaclomethyl, 2-[(3-{2chloro-4-fluoro-5-[3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-1(2H)yl]phenoxy}pyridin-2-yl)oxy]ethyl acetate, aclonifen, amidosulfuron, beflubutamide and benfluralin.

[037] In the above embodiment, the liquid pesticide composition preferably contains one or more hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients selected from the group consisting of mefentrifluconazole, azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, bixafen, benzovindiflupir, fluxapyroxad, isoflucipram, pidiflumetofen, fenpicoxamide, florylpicoxamide, chlorothalonil, folpel, mancozeb, cyprodinil, pyridaclomethyl, 2-[(3-{2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-[3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6tetrahydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl]phenoxy}pyridin-2-yl)oxy]ethyl acetate.

[038] In the above embodiment, the liquid pesticide composition contains, more preferably, one or more hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients selected from the group consisting of mefentrifluconazole, pyraclostrobin, benzovindiflupir, fluxapyroxad, isoflucipram, pidiflumetofen, fenpicoxamide, florylpicoxamide, chlorothalonil, folpel, mancozeb, cyprodinil, pyridaclomethyl, 2-[(3-{2chloro-4-fluoro-5-[3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-1(2H)yl]phenoxy}pyridin-2-yl)oxy]ethyl acetate.

[039] In the above embodiment, the liquid pesticide composition contains, more preferably, one or more hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients. Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 15 / 41 9 / 34 selected from the group consisting of mefentrifluconazole, pyraclostrobin, pidiflumetofen, pyridaclomethyl and Ethyl 2-[(3-{2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-[3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,6dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl]phenoxy}pyridin-2-yl)oxy]acetate.

[040] The water solubility of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient at 25 °C is 15 ppm by mass or less, and, for example, may be 13 ppm by mass or less, or even 10 ppm by mass or less. The water solubility of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient at 25 °C is usually 0.001 ppm by mass or more, and may be 0.01 ppm by mass or more.

[041] The water solubility of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient at 25 °C is preferably from 0.01 ppm by mass to 13 ppm by mass, more preferably from 0.1 ppm by mass to 10 ppm by mass, most preferably from 0.5 ppm by mass to 5 ppm by mass.

[042] In this document, solubility in water at 25 °C refers to solubility in water at a temperature of 25 °C and pH 7. For example, a solubility in water at 25 °C of 15 ppm by mass means that the solubility in 1 g of water at a temperature of 25 °C and pH 7 is 15 x 10⁻⁶ g.

[043] As the water solubility of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient, a value found in the references can be used. When a corresponding value is not found in the references, the water solubility of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient can be measured by determining the saturation solubility in water at a temperature of 25 °C and pH 7 by high-performance liquid chromatography.

[044] The melting point of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient is 10 °C or more, and, for example, it may be 20 °C or more, or even 30 °C or more. The melting point of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient is usually 300 °C or less, and may be 180 °C or less. Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 16 / 41 10 / 34

[045] The melting point of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient is preferably 20 °C to 300 °C, more preferably 30 °C to 180 °C.

[046] As the melting point of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient, a value found in the references can be used. When a corresponding value is not found in the references, the melting point of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient can be measured as follows: a sample is filled into a capillary tube and heated, and the temperature at which the sample is melted and no solid is observed inside the capillary tube is used as the melting point.

[047] The hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient contained in the liquid pesticide composition has a water solubility at 25 °C of 15 ppm by mass or less and a melting point of 10 °C or more, preferably a water solubility at 25 °C of 0.01 ppm by mass to 13 ppm by mass and a melting point of 20 °C to 300 °C, more preferably a water solubility at 25 °C of 0.1 ppm by mass to 10 ppm by mass and a melting point of 30 °C to 180 °C, more preferably a water solubility at 25 °C of 0.5 ppm by mass to 5 ppm by mass and a melting point of 30 °C to 180 °C.

[048] According to the present invention, even when an active pesticide ingredient such as those described above that have poor solubility in water and a relatively high melting point is used, it is possible to provide a liquid pesticide composition that has excellent storage stability at low temperatures as well as excellent emulsion stability when mixed with water.

[049] The hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient usually has a partition coefficient (logP) between 1-octanol and water at 25 °C of 2.3 to 5.3, preferably 2.5 to 5.0, more preferably 3.0 to 4.5. With the partition coefficient within this range, the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient is suitable as a pesticide active ingredient for formulation in an emulsifiable concentrate. Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 17 / 41 11 / 34

[050] As logP, a value found in the references can be used. When a corresponding value is not found in the references, logP can be measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in accordance with OECD Test Guideline 117.

[051] With the total quantity of the liquid pesticide composition being considered as 100% by mass, the content of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient in the liquid pesticide composition is usually from 3% by mass to 10% by mass, preferably from 4% by mass to 10% by mass, more preferably from 5% by mass to 10% by mass, and additionally preferably from 5% by mass to 8% by mass. Other preferred ranges of this content are, for example, from 3% by mass to 8% by mass, from 4% by mass to 8% by mass, from 3% by mass to 9% by mass, from 4% by mass to 9% by mass and from 5% by mass to 9% by mass.

[052] Adjusting the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient content to the above range is preferable to appropriately increase the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient content in the liquid pesticide composition, while ensuring that the liquid pesticide composition has excellent storage stability at low temperatures as well as excellent emulsion stability when mixed with water.

[053] When the liquid pesticide composition contains two or more hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients, the content of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient described above is a total content of those two or more hydrophobic pesticide active ingredients. The same is true for other ingredients (to be described below) that the liquid pesticide composition contains or may contain; when a given ingredient comprises two or more types of the same ingredient, the content of that given ingredient is a total content of those two or more types, unless otherwise specified. Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 18 / 41 12 / 34 (b) First Solvent

[054] The liquid pesticide composition contains a first solvent which is εcaprolactone.

[055] With the total quantity of the liquid pesticide composition being considered as 100% by mass, the content of the first solvent in the liquid pesticide composition is usually from 3.6% by mass to 60% by mass, preferably from 5% by mass to 60% by mass, more preferably from 5% by mass to 40% by mass, more preferably from 10% by mass to 40% by mass, particularly preferably from 10% by mass to 30% by mass. Other preferred ranges for this content are, for example, from 3.6% by mass to 50% by mass, from 3.6% by mass to 40% by mass, from 3.6% by mass to 30% by mass, from 5% by mass to 50% by mass, from 5% by mass to 30% by mass, from 6% by mass to 60% by mass, from 6% by mass to 50% by mass, from 6% by mass to 40% by mass, and from 6% by mass to 30% by mass.

[056] The ratio of the first solvent to the ratio of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient is usually from 1.2 times by mass to 15.0 times by mass, preferably from 1.2 times by mass to 9.0 times by mass, more preferably from 1.2 times by mass to 8.0 times by mass, more preferably from 1.3 times by mass to 6.0 times by mass, particularly preferably from 1.3 times by mass to 3.3 times by mass. Other preferred ranges of the ratio (mass ratio) of the first solvent content to the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient content are, for example, from 1.2 times by mass to 6.0 times by mass, from 1.2 times by mass to 3.3 times by mass, from 1.3 times by mass to 10.0 times by mass, from 1.3 times by mass to 9.0 times by mass and from 1.3 times by mass to 8.0 times by mass.

[057] Adjusting the content of the first solvent in the liquid pesticide composition and the ratio (mass ratio) of the content of the first solvent to the content of the ingredient Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 19 / 41 13 / 34 hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient for the ranges described above, respectively, is preferably to ensure that the liquid pesticide composition has excellent storage stability at low temperatures as well as excellent emulsion stability when mixed with water, provided that 1) the contents of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient, the second solvent and the surfactant in the liquid pesticide composition, 2) the total content of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient, the first solvent, the second solvent and the surfactant and 3) the ratio (mass ratio) of the content of the second solvent to the content of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient are adjusted to specific ranges, respectively. (c) Second Solvent

[058] The liquid pesticide composition contains one, two or more second solvents. The second solvent is a solvent that has a solubility in water at 25 °C of 1% by mass or less.

[059] Examples of the second solvent include: Alcohols, such as octanol and polypropylene glycol; esters, such as methyl caprylate, methyl laurate, methyl myristate, methyl salicylate, methyl palmitate, methyl oleate, ethyl acetate, ethyl palmitate, octyl acetate, benzyl acetate, dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, dimethyl 2-methylglutarate, dimethyl 2-ethylsuccinate, dimethyl adipate, dioctyl succinate, didecyl adipate, tert-butyl acetoacetate, allyl acetoacetate and 2-ethylhexyl lactate; ethers, such as propylene glycol phenyl ether; ketones, such as acetophenone; amides, such as N,N-dimethyloctanamide, N,N-dimethyldecanamide, N,N-dimethyldodecanamide, N,N-dimethyltetradecanamide, N,N-dimethyloctadecanamide, N,N-dimethyl-9-decenoamide and graxo acid dimethylamides; Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page. 20 / 41 14 / 34 lactams, such as N-octyl-caprolactam, N-decyl-caprolactam, N-dodecylcaprolactam, N-octyl-pyrrolidone, N-decyl-pyrrolidone, N-dodecyl-pyrrolidone, N-octylvalerolactam, N-decyl-valerolactam and N-dodecyl-valerolactam; imidazolidinone; cyclic urea derivatives; cyclic carbonic acid esters; aliphatic hydrocarbonates, such as decane, tridecane, tetradecane, hexadecane, octadecane, normal paraffin, isoparaffin, cycloparaffin, 1-undecene and 1-heneicosene; Aromatic hydrocarbons, for example, alkylbenzenes, such as toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, octadecylbenzene, dialkylbenzene and trialkylbenzene, alkyl naphthalenes, such as methylnaphthalene, dimethylnaphthalene, dodecylnaphthalene and tridecylnaphthalene and phenylxylylethane and 1-phenyl-1-ethylphenylethane and a mixture thereof; fatty acids, such as oleic acid, capric acid, and enanthic acid; Oils derived from animals or vegetables, such as olive oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, castor oil, linseed oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil, avocado oil, and shark liver oil; and mineral oils, such as machine oil.

[060] As the second solvent, a commercially available solvent may be used. Examples of commercially available products for use as the second solvent include, in trade names, Agnique AMD810 (mixture of N,N-dimethyloctanamide and N,N-dimethyldecanamide, manufactured by BASF), Agnique AMD10 (N,N-dimethyldecanamide, manufactured by BASF), Agnique AMD12 (N,N-dimethyldodecanamide, manufactured by BASF), Rhodiasolv ADMA810 (mixture of N,N-dimethyloctanamide and N,N-dimethyldecanamide, manufactured by Solvay Nicca), Rhodiasolv ADMA-10 (N,N-dimethyldecanamide, manufactured by Solvay Nicca), Hallcomid M-8-10 (mixture of N,N-dimethyloctanamide and N,N-dimethyldecanamide, Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 21 / 41 15 / 34 manufactured by Stepan), Hallcomid M-10 (N,N-dimethyldecanamide, manufactured by Stepan), Hallcomid M-12 (N,N-dimethyldodecanamide, manufactured by Stepan), Hallcomid M-18 (N,N-dimethyloctadecanamide, manufactured by Stepan), Hallcomid 1025 (N,N-dimethyl-9-decenoamide, manufactured by Stepan), Genagen 4166 (fatty acid dimethylamide, manufactured by Clariant), Genagen 4296 (fatty acid dimethylamide, manufactured by Clariant), Rhodiasolv Iris (mixture of dimethyl 2-methylglutarate, 2-ethylsuccinate and dimethyl adipate, manufactured by Solvay), PURASOLV EHL (2-ethylhexyl-L-lactate, manufactured by Corbion purac), AGSOLEX 8 (Noctil-pyrrolidone, manufactured by Ashland), AGSOLEX 12 (N-dodecylpyrrolidone, manufactured by Ashland), Stepan C-25 (methyl caprylate, manufactured by Stepan), Stepan C-42 (mixture of methyl laurate and methyl myristate, manufactured by Stepan), Stepan C-65 (mixture of methyl palmitate and methyl oleate, manufactured by Stepan),Dowanol PPh (propylene glycol phenyl ether manufactured by Dow Chemical), Nisseki Hisol SAS-296 (mixture of 1-phenyl-1-xylylethane and 1-phenyl-1-ethylphenylethane, manufactured by JX Nippon Oil & Energy), SOLVESSO 100 (containing C9-C10 dialkyl- and trialkylbenzene as the main aromatic hydrocarbon, manufactured by ExxonMobil Chemical), SOLVESSO 150 (containing C10-C11 alkylbenzene as the main aromatic hydrocarbon, manufactured by ExxonMobil Chemical), SOLVESSO 150ND (containing C10-C11 alkylbenzene as the main aromatic hydrocarbon, manufactured by ExxonMobil Chemical), SOLVESSO 150ND (containing C10-C11 alkylbenzene as its main aromatic hydrocarbon, manufactured by ExxonMobil Chemical), SOLVESSO 200 (containing C10-C13 alkyl naphthalene as the main aromatic hydrocarbon, manufactured by ExxonMobil Chemical), and SOLVESSO 200ND (containing C10-C13 alkyl naphthalene as the main aromatic hydrocarbon, manufactured by ExxonMobil Chemical).

[061] To ensure that the liquid pesticide composition has favorable storage stability at low temperatures as well as a Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 22 / 41 16 / 34 Favorable emulsion stability when mixed with water, it is preferable that the second solvent comprise an aromatic hydrocarbon. Preferably, the aromatic hydrocarbon comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of alkylbenzenes and alkylnaphthalenes, more preferably, one or more selected from the group consisting of C9-C12 alkylbenzenes and C10-C15 alkylnaphthalenes. The second solvent may consist of an aromatic hydrocarbon.

[062] To ensure that the liquid pesticide composition has favorable storage stability at low temperatures as well as favorable emulsion stability when mixed with water, it is preferable that the second solvent comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon described above and an amide. Preferably, the amide is N,N-dimethylalkanamide with a C6-C18 alkyl chain. N,N-dimethylalkanamide with a C6-C18 alkyl chain may be, for example, one or more selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethyloctanamide and N,N-dimethyldecanamide. The second solvent may consist of the aromatic hydrocarbon and the amide.

[063] The water solubility of the second solvent at 25 °C is 1% by mass or less, and, for example, may be 0.9% by mass or less, or even 0.8% by mass or less. It is preferable that the liquid pesticide composition contain a second solvent that has a water solubility within this range, due to the fact that such a liquid pesticide composition, when used as an emulsifiable concentrate, can readily form an emulsion when mixed with water. The water solubility of the second solvent at 25 °C is usually 0% by mass or more, and may be 10-5% by mass or more.

[064] As for the water solubility of the second solvent, a value found in the database (Solubility Database) of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) or the National Institute of Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 23 / 41 17 / 34 Standards and Technology (NIST). When a corresponding value is not found in the database, the water solubility of the second solvent can be measured by determining the saturation solubility in water at a temperature of 25 °C and pH 7 by high-performance liquid chromatography.

[065] With the total quantity of the liquid pesticide composition being considered as 100% by mass, the content of the second solvent in the liquid pesticide composition is usually from 19.5% by mass to 85% by mass, preferably from 25% by mass to 85% by mass, more preferably from 25% by mass to 80% by mass, more preferably from 30% by mass to 80% by mass, even more preferably from 40% by mass to 80% by mass, particularly preferably from 50% by mass to 75% by mass. Other preferred ranges for this content are, for example, from 19.5% by mass to 80% by mass, from 19.5% by mass to 75% by mass, from 25% by mass to 75% by mass, from 30% by mass to 85% by mass, from 30% by mass to 75% by mass, from 40% by mass to 85% by mass, from 40% by mass to 75% by mass, from 50% by mass to 85% by mass and from 50% by mass to 80% by mass.

[066] The content of the second solvent in relation to the content of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient is usually 6.5 times by mass to 25.0 times by mass, preferably 6.5 times by mass to 13.0 times by mass, more preferably 6.6 times by mass to 13.0 times by mass, more preferably 6.8 times by mass to 13.0 times by mass, even more preferably 7.0 times by mass to 13.0 times by mass, particularly preferably 7.0 times by mass to 9.0 times by mass. Other preferred ranges of the ratio (mass ratio) of the second solvent content to the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient content are, for example, from 6.5 times by mass to 20.2 times by mass, from 6.5 times by mass to 18.2 times by mass, from 6.5 times by mass to 11.0 times by mass, from 6.5 times by mass to 9.0 times by mass. Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 24 / 41 18 / 34 mass, from 6.6 times the mass to 11.0 times the mass, from 6.6 times the mass to 9.0 times the mass, and from 6.8 times the mass to 9.0 times the mass.

[067] Adjusting the content of the second solvent in the liquid pesticide composition and the ratio of the content of the second solvent to the content of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient to the ranges described above, respectively, is preferable to ensure that the liquid pesticide composition has excellent storage stability at low temperatures as well as excellent emulsion stability when mixed with water, provided that 1) the contents of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient, the first solvent and the surfactant in the liquid pesticide composition, 2) the total content of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient, the first solvent, the second solvent and the surfactant and 3) the ratio (mass ratio) of the content of the first solvent to the content of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient are adjusted to specific ranges, respectively.

[068] To ensure that the liquid pesticide composition has favorable storage stability at low temperatures as well as favorable emulsion stability when mixed with water, the liquid pesticide composition preferably has the mass ratio described below of the content of the first solvent to the content of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient (hereinafter in this document, also referred to as (First solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient)) and the mass ratio described below of the content of the second solvent to the content of the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient (hereinafter in this document, also referred to as (Second solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient)): (1) (First solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient): from 1.2 to 15.0 (Second solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient): from 6.5 to 20.2, from 6.6 to 20.2, from 6.6 to 18.2, from 6.6 to 13.0, from 6.8 to 13.0, from 7.0 to 13.0, from 9.0 to 13.0 or from 7.0 to 9.0, or Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, p. 25 / 41 19 / 34 (2) (First solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient): 1.2 to 10.0 (Second solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient): 6.5 to 13.0, 6.6 to 13.0, 6.6 to 13.0, 6.8 to 13.0, 7.0 to 13.0, 9.0 to 13.0 or 7.0 to 9.0, or (3) (First solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient): 1.2 to 9.0 (Second solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient): 6.5 to 13.0, 6.6 to 13.0, 6.6 to 13.0, 6.8 to 13.0, 7.0 to 13.0, 9.0 to 13.0 or 7.0 to 9.0, or (4) (First solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient): 1.2 to 8.0 (Second solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient): 6.5 to 13.0, 6.6 to 13.0, 6.6 to 13.0, 6.8 to 13.0, 7.0 to 13.0, 9.0 to 13.0 or 7.0 to 9.0, or (5) (First solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient): 1.3 to 6.0 (Second solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient): 6.5 to 13.0, 6.6 to 13.0, 6.6 to 13.0, 6.8 to 13.0, 7.0 to 13.0, 9.0 to 13.0 or 7,0 to 9.0, or (6) (First solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient): 1.3 to 3.3 (Second solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient): 6.5 to 13.0, 6.6 to 13.0, 6.6 to 13.0, 6.8 to 13.0, 7.0 to 13.0, 9.0 to 13.0 or 7.0 to 9.0, or (d) Surfactant,

[069] The liquid pesticide composition contains one, two or more surfactants. Examples of surfactants include a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant. The liquid pesticide composition may contain one, two or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant. Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 26 / 41 20 / 34

[070] Examples of non-ionic surfactants: Polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers; polyoxyalkylene fatty acid esters, such as polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene fatty acid esters; polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers, such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers; polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers such as polyoxyethylene tristyryl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene polyaryl ether and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene polyaryl ether; polyoxyalkylene alkyl aryl ethers, such as polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ethers and polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ethers; polyoxyalkylene vegetable oils, such as polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene castor oil and castor oil; Polyoxyalkylene hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil; glycerol fatty acid esters; sorbitan fatty acid esters, such as sorbitan laurate, sorbitan stearate, sorbitan oleate, and sorbitan trioleate; and polyoxyalkylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan laurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan stearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan oleate, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan troleate. Examples of anionic surfactants include: Alkylarylsulfonic acid salts, such as dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid salts and alkylnaphthalenesulfonic acid salts; dialkyl sulfosuccinic acid salts, such as di(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinic acid salts; and Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 27 / 41 21 / 34 sulfuric acid ester salts of polyoxyalkylene polyaryl ether, such as sulfuric acid ester salts of polyoxyethylene distyryl phenyl ether.

[071] Each of the above sulfonic acid salts and the above sulfuric acid salts may be a sodium salt, a potassium salt, a calcium salt, an ammonium salt, and the like.

[072] Examples of cationic surfactants include: Alkylamine hydrochloric acid salts, such as dodecylamine hydrochloric acid salts; Quaternary alkylammonium salts, such as dodecyltrimethylammonium salts, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salts, alkylpyridinium salts, alkylisoquinoline salts, and dialkylmorpholine salts; benzethonium chloride; and polyalkylvinylpyridinium salts.

[073] Examples of amphoteric surfactants include N-laurylalanine, N,N,N-trimethylaminopropionic acid, N,N,N-trihydroxyethylaminopropionic acid, N-hexyl-N,N-dimethylaminoacetic acid, 1-(2-carboxyethyl)pyrimidinium betaine and lecithin.

[074] As a surfactant, a commercially available surfactant can be used.

[075] Examples of a commercially available nonionic surfactant include, in trade names, Toximul 8323 (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymer, manufactured by Stepan), Atlas G5000 (butyl block copolymer, manufactured by Croda), Atlas G5002L (butyl block copolymer, manufactured by Croda), Antarox B / 848 (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymer, manufactured by Solvay), Pegnol 24-O (polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, manufactured by TOHO Chemical Industry), Pegnol 14-S (polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, manufactured by TOHO Chemical Industry), Pegnol ST-7 (polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, manufactured by TOHO Chemical Industry), ATPLUS245 (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ether, manufactured by Croda), Synperonic AB6 (ether Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, page 28 / 41 22 / 34 polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, HLB:12, manufactured by Croda), Brij O3 (polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, HLB:7, manufactured by Croda), Genapol X060 (polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, manufactured by Clariant), Genapol X150 (polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, manufactured by Clariant), Emulsogen TS200 (polyoxyethylene tristyryl phenyl ether, manufactured by Clariant), Emulsogen TS290 (polyoxyethylene tristyryl phenyl ether, manufactured by Clariant), Emulsogen TS540 (polyoxyethylene tristyrylphenyl ether, manufactured by Clariant), Emulsogen TS600 (polyoxyethylene tristyryl phenyl ether, manufactured by Clariant), Emulsogen EL360 (polyoxyethylene castor oil, manufactured by Clariant), Emulsogen EL400 (polyoxyethylene castor oil) Polyoxyethylene castor oil, manufactured by Clariant), Emulsogen EL540 (polyoxyethylene castor oil, manufactured by Clariant), Solpol T26 (polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ether, manufactured by TOHO Chemical Industry), Alkamuls OR / 40 (polyoxyethylene castor oil,(manufactured by Solvay), NIKKOL HCO-20 (polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, manufactured by Nikko Chemicals), Geronol TE / 250 (mixture of polyoxyethylene castor oil and polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene monobutyl ether, manufactured by Solvay), NIKKOL MGU (glycerol fatty acid ester, manufactured by Nikko Chemicals), NIKKOL DGS-80 (glycerol fatty acid ester, manufactured by Nikko Chemicals), Newcol 20 (sorbitan laurate, manufactured by Nippon Nyukazai) and Newcol 25 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan laurate, manufactured by Nippon Nyukazai). Examples of commercially available anionic surfactants, in trade names, are: Rhodacal 70 (branched calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, manufactured by Solvay), Rhodacal 70 / B (linear calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, manufactured by Solvay), Rhodacal LDS-25 / AP (linear sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, manufactured by Solvay), Calsogen 4814 (calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, manufactured by Solvay), Clariant), phenylsulfonat cal (calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, manufactured by Clariant), Geropon CYA / 75 (sodium di(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate, Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, pp. 29 / 41 23 / 34 manufactured by Solvay) and Soprophor DSS / 7 (polyoxyethylene distyrylphenyl ether sulfuric acid ammonium salt, manufactured by Solvay)

[076] Preferably, the liquid pesticide composition contains a nonionic surfactant. For example, it is preferable that the liquid pesticide composition contains one, two or more nonionic surfactants, or contains one or more nonionic surfactants and one or more anionic surfactants.

[077] When one or more non-ionic surfactants and one or more anionic surfactants are used in combination, the content ratio (mass ratio) is from 1:0.1 to 1:40, for example.

[078] Preferably, the nonionic surfactant is one or more selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers, polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers and polyoxyalkylene vegetable oils.

[079] Preferably, the anionic surfactant is an alkyl aryl sulfonic acid salt.

[080] With the total quantity of the liquid pesticide composition being considered as 100% by mass, the surfactant content in the liquid pesticide composition is usually from 1% by mass to 30% by mass, preferably from 4% by mass to 28% by mass, more preferably from 5% by mass to 25% by mass, more preferably from 5% by mass to 20% by mass, particularly preferably from 7% by mass to 20% by mass.

[081] The surfactant content in relation to the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient content is usually from 0.3 times by mass to 10 times by mass, preferably from 1 times by mass to 10 times by mass, more preferably from 1 times by mass to 7 times by mass.

[082] With the total quantity of the liquid pesticide composition being considered as 100% by mass, the total content of the active pesticide ingredient Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, pp. 30 / 41 The composition of the 24 / 34 hydrophobic agent, the first solvent, the second solvent, and the surfactant in the liquid pesticide composition is usually 60% by mass or more, preferably 70% by mass or more, more preferably 75% by mass or more. The total content may be 100% by mass, 95% by mass or less, 90% by mass or less, or 85% by mass or less. (e) Other Ingredients

[083] The liquid pesticide composition may contain ingredients other than those described above as needed.

[084] Examples of such other ingredients include a pesticide active ingredient other than the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient, a solvent other than the first solvent and the second solvent, and a formulation aid.

[085] With the total amount of the active pesticide ingredient contained in the liquid pesticide composition being considered as 100% by mass, the content of the hydrophobic active pesticide ingredient in relation to the total content of all active pesticide ingredients contained in the liquid pesticide composition may be, for example, 20% by mass to 100% by mass or 30% by mass to 100% by mass. For example, this content is 50% by mass to 100% by mass, 60% by mass to 100% by mass, 80% by mass to 100% by mass, 90% by mass to 100% by mass or 95% by mass to 100% by mass.

[086] To ensure that the liquid pesticide composition has favorable storage stability at low temperatures as well as favorable emulsion stability when mixed with water, with the total solvent content in the liquid pesticide composition being considered as 100% by mass, the total content of the first solvent and the second solvent in relation to the total content of all solvents in the liquid pesticide composition is preferably 70% by mass or more, more preferably 80% by mass or more, more preferably 90% by mass or more, even more Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, pp. 31 / 41 25 / 34 preferably, 95% by mass or more, especially preferably, 98% by mass or more, particularly preferably, 100% by mass.

[087] Examples of formulation aids include an antifoaming agent and a thickener. Examples of antifoaming agents include a silicone-based antifoaming agent.

[088] As an antifoaming agent, a commercially available antifoaming agent can be used. Examples of commercially available antifoaming agents include, under trade names, Antifoaming Emulsion C (silicone-based antifoaming agent, manufactured by Dow Corning Toray), Antifoaming Compound A (silicone-based antifoaming agent, manufactured by Dow Corning Toray), TSA730 (silicone-based antifoaming agent, manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials Japan), TSA720 (silicone-based antifoaming agent, manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials Japan), SAG1572 (silicone-based antifoaming agent, manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials Japan), SAG1538 (silicone-based antifoaming agent, manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials Japan), KS-538 (silicone-based antifoaming agent, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical), and BYK-019 (silicone-based antifoaming agent, manufactured by BYK Japan).

[089] When the liquid pesticide composition contains an antifoaming agent, the content is usually from 0.001% by mass to 1% by mass, preferably from 0.002% by mass to 0.8% by mass, with the total quantity of the liquid pesticide composition being considered as 100% by mass.

[090] The thickener may be a thickener soluble in an organic solvent or dispersible in an organic solvent. Examples of thickeners soluble in an organic solvent or dispersible in an organic solvent include organic clay, organic bentonite, organic montmorillonite, and organically modified castor oil derivatives. Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, pages 32 / 41 26 / 34

[091] As a thickener, a commercially available thickener soluble in an organic solvent or dispersible in an organic solvent may be used. Examples of a commercially available thickener soluble in an organic solvent or dispersible in an organic solvent include, in trade names, BENTONE SD-1 (organic bentonite, manufactured by ELEMENTIS SPECIALTIES), BENTONE SD-2 (organic bentonite, manufactured by ELEMENTIS SPECIALTIES), BENTONE 34 (organic bentonite, manufactured by ELEMENTIS SPECIALTIES), BENTONE 38 (organic bentonite, manufactured by ELEMENTIS SPECIALTIES), THIXATROL ST (organically modified castor oil derivative, manufactured by ELEMENTIS SPECIALTIES), THIXCIN R (castor oil derivative, manufactured by ELEMENTIS SPECIALTIES), and THIXATROL 53X (organically modified castor oil derivative, manufactured by ELEMENTIS SPECIALTIES).

[092] When the liquid pesticide composition contains a thickener, the content is usually from 0.01% by mass to 5% by mass with the total amount of the liquid pesticide composition being considered as 100% by mass. (f) Production and Use of Liquid Pesticide Composition

[093] The liquid pesticide composition can be used appropriately as a liquid pesticide formulation called an emulsifiable concentrate in the pesticide field.

[094] The liquid pesticide composition can be produced by a typical method of producing an emulsifiable concentrate, and, for example, can be produced by mixing the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient, the first solvent, the second solvent and the surfactant and an optional ingredient.

[095] The liquid pesticide composition is applied according to a method that is usually employed for an emulsifiable concentrate to control pests and / or weeds. More specifically, the liquid pesticide composition is Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, pp. 33 / 41 27 / 34 is mixed with water to prepare an emulsion, and the resulting emulsion is applied to a plant or soil in which a plant is grown.

[096] The emulsion is prepared by mixing with water in a volume usually 2 to 10000 times, preferably 10 to 8000 times, more preferably 15 to 6000 times the volume of the emulsifiable concentrate. EXAMPLES

[097] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to Examples. The scope of the present invention is not limited to these Examples. <Exemplos de Produção 1 a 37: Preparação e Avaliação de Composição Pesticida Líquida> (1) Preparation of Liquid Pesticide Composition

[098] The ingredients specified in Tables 1 to 8 were mixed in the mass ratio (%) specified in Tables 1 to 8 and stirred until uniformly dissolved, and thus liquid pesticide compositions were obtained.

[099] In Tables 1 to 8, (First solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient) refers to the mass ratio of the first solvent content to the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient content, and (Second solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient) refers to the mass ratio of the second solvent content to the hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient content. (2) Evaluation of Liquid Pesticide Composition (2-1) Storage Stability at Low Temperatures

[0100] In an environment at room temperature, 20 ml of the liquid pesticide composition and three crystals (crystal size, approximately 1 mm) of the same type of hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient as that contained in the liquid pesticide composition were placed in a glass container, followed immediately by storage at 0 °C. Five days after storage, changes in Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, pp. 34 / 41 28 / 34 crystals were visually examined in size and number, and the storage stability of the liquid pesticide composition at low temperatures was evaluated according to the assessment criteria below. Results are shown in Tables 1 to 8. When classified as A or B, it is considered that crystal deposition or growth tends not to occur at low temperatures, leading to an assessment where storage stability at low temperatures is excellent.

[0101] A: The crystal size was smaller than the initial size, or the crystals dissolved and disappeared.

[0102] B: No changes were observed in the size and number of crystals.

[0103] C: Although no change is observed in the number of crystals, the crystal size was larger than the initial size.

[0104] D: The number of crystals increased, and the crystal size was larger than the initial size. (2-2) Emulsion Stability When Mixed with Water

[0105] In an environment at room temperature, 99 ml of CIPAC Standard Water D (hardness, 342 ppm) at 30 °C were added to a 100 ml graduated cylinder with a stopper, and from a height of about 8 cm above the water surface, 1 ml of the liquid pesticide composition was added slowly by drop. With the stopper, the graduated cylinder was inverted 180° over 1 second and then inverted back to its original position over 1 second, and this operation was repeated 10 times in total. Then, the graduated cylinder was left to stand in a thermostatic water bath at 30 °C for 24 hours. After that, the state inside the graduated cylinder was visually examined, and the emulsion stability when mixed with water was assessed according to the evaluation criteria below. Results are shown in Tables 1 to 8. When classified as A, B, or C, it is considered Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, pp. 35 / 41 29 / 34 that deposition or crystal growth tends not to occur, leading to an assessment where the emulsion stability when mixed with water is excellent.

[0106] A: No crystal deposition was observed.

[0107] B: Deposition of crystals number less than 10.

[0108] C: Deposition of very small crystals was observed in a number not less than 10 and less than 100.

[0109] D: Deposition of very small crystals was observed in a number of 100 or more.

[0110] E: Deposition of crystals larger than B to D was observed. Table 1 Example of Production 1 2 3 Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide Mefentrifluconazole 8.0 8.0 8.0 First solvent ε-Caprolactone 8.0 26.4 34.0 Second solvent SOLVESSO 200ND 74.0 55.6 48.0 Surfactant Phenylsulfonate 2.0 2.0 2.0 Emulsifier EL360 8.0 8.0 8.0 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 (First solvent) / (Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide) 1.0 3.3 4.3 (Second solvent) / (Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide) 9.3 7.0 6.0 Evaluation Storage stability at low temperatures CAA Emulsion stability when mixed with water BCD Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, pp. 36 / 41 30 / 34 Table 2 Example of Production 4 5 Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide Pyraclostrobin 8.0 8.0 First solvent ε-Caprolactone 10.4 26.4 Second solvent SOLVESSO 200ND 71.6 55.6 Surfactant Phenylsulfonate lime 2.0 2.0 Emulsifier EL360 8.0 8.0 Total 100.0 100.0 (First solvent) / (Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide) 1.3 3.3 (Second solvent) / (Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide) 9.0 7.0 Evaluation Storage stability at low temperatures AA Emulsion stability when mixed with water AC Table 3 Example of Production 6 7 8 9 10 11 Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide Pidiflumetofen 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 First solvent ε-Caprolactone 4.0 5.2 13.2 40.0 60.0 62.0 Second solvent SOLVESSO 200ND 82.0 80.8 72.8 46.0 26.0 24.0 Surfactant Phenylsulfonate 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 Emulsifier EL360 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 (First solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient) 1.0 1.3 3.3 10.0 15.0 15.5 (Second solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient) 20.5 20.2 18.2 11.5 6.5 6.0 Evaluation Storage stability at low temperatures CBAAAA Emulsion stability when mixed with water AAACCD Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, pp. 37 / 41 31 / 34 Table 4 Example of Production 12 13 14 15 16 17 Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide Pidiflumetofen 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 First solvent ε-Caprolactone 6.0 7.8 19.8 36.0 45.0 48.0 Second solvent SOLVESSO 200ND 78.0 76.2 64.2 48.0 39.0 36.0 Surfactant Phenylsulfonate 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 Emulsifier EL360 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 (First solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient) 1.0 1.3 3.3 6.0 7.5 8.0 (Second solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient) 13.0 12.7 10.7 8.0 6.5 6.0 Evaluation Storage stability at low temperatures CBBAAA Emulsion stability when mixed with water AAACCD Table 5 Example of Production 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide Pidiflumetofen 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 First solvent ε-Caprolactone 8.0 10.4 26.4 34.0 10.0 13.0 20.0 Second solvent SOLVESSO 200ND 74.0 71.6 55.6 48.0 70.0 67.0 60.0 Surfactant Phenylsulfonate 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 Emulsifier EL360 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 (First solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient) 1.0 1.3 3.3 4.3 1.0 1.3 2.0 Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, pp. 38 / 41 32 / 34 (Second solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient) 9.3 9.0 7.0 6.0 7.0 6.7 6.0 Evaluation Storage stability at low temperatures CBBBCBB Emulsion stability when mixed with water BCCDCCD Table 6 Example of Production 25 26 27 28 Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide Compound A 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 First solvent ε-Caprolactone 7.8 19.8 36.0 48.0 Second solvent SOLVESSO 200ND 76.2 64.2 48.0 36.0 Surfactant Phenylsulfonate 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 Emulsifier EL360 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 (First solvent) / (Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide) 1.3 3.3 6.0 8.0 (Second solvent) / (Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide) 12.7 10.7 8.0 6.0 Evaluation Storage stability at low temperatures AAAA Emulsion stability when mixed with water CCCD Table 7 Example of Production 29 30 31 32 Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide Compound A 8.0 8.0 8.0 10.0 First solvent ε-Caprolactone 10.4 26.4 34.0 13.0 Second solvent SOLVESSO 200ND 71.6 55.6 48.0 67.0 Surfactant Phenylsulfonate 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 Emulsifier EL360 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 (First solvent) / (Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide) 1.3 3.3 4.3 1.3 Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, pp. 39 / 41 33 / 34 (Second solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient) 9.0 7.0 6.0 6.7 Evaluation Storage stability at low temperatures BAAA Emulsion stability when mixed with water ACEC Table 8 Example of Production 33 34 35 36 37 Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide Pyridachloromethyl 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 First solvent ε-Caprolactone 5.4 7.8 19.8 36.0 48.0 Second solvent SOLVESSO 200ND 78.6 76.2 64.2 48.0 36.0 Surfactant Phenylsulfonate 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 Emulsifier EL360 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 (First solvent) / (Active ingredient hydrophobic pesticide) 0.9 1.3 3.3 6.0 8.0 (Second solvent) / (Hydrophobic pesticide active ingredient) 13.1 12.7 10.7 8.0 6.0 Evaluation Storage stability at low temperatures CBBAA Emulsion stability when mixed with water AAABE

[0111] Below are the details of the ingredients specified in Tables 8. [1] Mefentrifluconazole: Solubility in Water at 25 °C = 0.81 ppm by mass, Melting Point = 126 °C, logP at 25 °C = 3.4 [2] Pyraclostrobin: Solubility in Water at 25 °C = 1.9 ppm by mass, Melting Point = 63.7 to 65.2 °C, logP at 25 °C = 4.0 [3] Pidiflumetofen: Solubility in Water at 25 °C = 1.5 ppm by mass, Melting Point = 112.7 °C, logP at 25 °C = 3.8 Petition 870220062194, dated 07 / 14 / 2022, pp. 40 / 41 34 / 34 [4] Compound A (2-[(3-{2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-[3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl]phenoxy}pyridin-2-yl)oxy]ethyl acetate): Solubility in Water at 25 °C = 2.0 ppm by mass, Melting Point = 103.7 °C, logP at 25 °C = 3.5 [5] Pyridachloromethyl: Solubility in Water at 25 °C = 0.6 ppm by mass, Melting Point = 173.9 °C, logP at 25 °C = 4.1 [6] SOLVESSO 200ND: Containing C10-C13 alkyl naphthalene as its main aromatic hydrocarbon, manufactured by ExxonMobil Chemical [7] Phenylsulfonate lime: Calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, manufactured by Clariant [8] Emulsogen EL360: Polyoxyethylene castor oil, manufactured by Clariant.

Claims

1. Liquid pesticide composition CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: (a) 3% by mass to 10% by mass of a pesticide active ingredient having a water solubility at 25 °C of 15 ppm by mass or less and a melting point of 10 °C or more; (b) 3.6% by mass to 60% by mass of a first solvent which is εcaprolactone; (c) 19.5% by mass to 85% by mass of a second solvent having a water solubility at 25 °C of 1% by mass or less;(d) 1% by mass to 30% by mass of a surfactant, wherein the pesticide active ingredient is one or more selected from the group consisting of mefentrifluconazole, pyraclostrobin, pidiflumetophen, pyridaclomethyl and 2[(3-{2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-[3-methyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin1(2H)-yl]phenoxy}pyridin-2-yl)oxy]ethyl acetate, the second solvent comprising alkyl naphthalenes, the surfactant comprising calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and polyoxyethylene castor oil, the total content of the pesticide active ingredient, of the first solvent, of the second solvent and of the surfactant being 60% by mass or more, the content of the first solvent relative to the content of the pesticide active ingredient being 1.2 times by mass to 15.0 times by mass, the second solvent content relative to the pesticide active ingredient content being 6.5 times by mass to 25.0 times by mass.

2. Liquid pesticide composition, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the active pesticide ingredient has a solubility in water at 25 °C of 0.1 ppm by mass to 10 ppm by mass and a melting point of 30 °C to 300 °C.

3. Liquid pesticide composition, according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the active pesticide ingredient has a partition coefficient (logP) between 1-octanol and water at 25 °C of 2.5 to 5.0, preferably of 3.0 to 4.

5.

4. Liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, CHARACTERIZED in that the content of the active pesticide ingredient is from 4% by mass to 10% by mass.

5. Liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, CHARACTERIZED in that the content of the first solvent is from 5% by mass to 40% by mass, preferably from 10% by mass to 30% by mass.

6. Liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the content of the second solvent is from 40% by mass to 80% by mass, preferably from 50% by mass to 75% by mass.

7. Liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, CHARACTERIZED in that the surfactant content is from 5% by mass to 20% by mass.

8. Liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, CHARACTERIZED in that the content of the first solvent in relation to the content of the active pesticide ingredient is from 1.3 times by mass to 6.0 times by mass, preferably from 1.3 times by mass to 3.3 times by mass.

9. Liquid pesticide composition, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, CHARACTERIZED in that the content of the second solvent in relation to the content of the active pesticide ingredient is 7.0 times by mass to 13.0 times by mass, preferably 7.0 times by mass to 9.0 times by mass.