Surfactants for agricultural formulations

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of at least one compound of formula (I): [R-O-(AO) n] m-B (I) wherein R, A, B, n and m are as defined in the description, as surfactants in agrochemical formulations. The invention also relates to agrochemical formulations comprising said compounds of formula (I). Formula (I) [R-O-(AO) n] m-B (I).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the agricultural field, particularly to the field of crop nutrition and protection, and more particularly to fertilization and plant protection compositions, and even more particularly to plant quarantine and nutrient products for aboveground and foliar application. Background Technology

[0002] Fertilizers, phytosanitary products such as pesticides, nematicides, herbicides, fungicides, and other agricultural products are typically applied directly to crops as aqueous solutions or suspensions via spraying. Additives (adjuvants) are often required to improve the efficacy, effectiveness, and wetting properties of these products. Additives are also frequently used to improve or increase the stability of mixtures containing them.

[0003] These additives have been well-known and documented in the field for decades, but recent developments have favored the use of more effective and environmentally friendly additives. Therefore, the use of alkoxylated (ethoxylated) alcohols as additives in foliar applications (for fertilizers or phytosanitary products) is now quite common, and some patents, scientific publications, and books mention the use of nonionic surfactants as additives (adjuvants) in formulations for agricultural foliar application.

[0004] For reference, V. Fernandez et al. (in "Foliar Fertilization, Scientific Principles and Field Practices", IFA, Paris, France, 2013) point out on page 38 that the most common hydrophilic polar groups in nonionic surfactants are based on combinations of ethylene oxide and fatty alcohol ethoxylates, etc. However, no clear relationship has been established between the chemical properties, hydrophilicity, lipophilicity, and phytotoxicity of the compounds.

[0005] J. HAZEN’s work “Adjuvants: Terminology, Classification and Chemistry”, Weed Technology, Vol. 14, (2000), 773-784 provides specific definitions of surfactants and wetting agents and mentions the most commonly used chemicals, such as ethoxylated molecules, including nonylphenol compounds, fatty amine compounds and isotridecyl alcohol with 6 mol ethylene oxide.

[0006] Patent documents list extensive information regarding wetting agents for agricultural use, among which patent EP1006792B1 is mentioned. This patent discloses agricultural chemical concentrate formulations containing alkoxylated adjuvants, such as alkoxylated C8-C... 22 Alcohols, especially alkoxylated C 13 -C15 Alcohols, as well as sorbitol derivatives and even ethoxylated trisiloxanes.

[0007] Patent EP1273230 B1 also relates to wetting compositions for agricultural chemicals and discloses agricultural chemical spreading compositions comprising a surfactant (A) and a surfactant (B) having specific melting points, wherein the surfactant (A) is selected from polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene alkylphenyl ethers, polyoxyalkylene polyol fatty acid esters, polyol fatty acid esters, polyoxyalkylene alkylamines, alkyl polyglycosides, and glycidyl ethers.

[0008] Document US9456600 B2 describes an agricultural chemical spreader composition containing a polysaccharide, a polyoxyalkylene sorbitol fatty acid ester, and at least one nonionic surfactant selected from polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers, sorbitol fatty acid esters, and silicone surfactants. The agricultural chemical spreader composition may also contain a polyol solvent and a glycol ether solvent.

[0009] Document US10111420 B2 discloses, for example, wetting compositions for seeds or plant leaves, which contain C5-C 12 Alcohols and surfactants, such as C6-C 15 Branched or straight-chain aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates.

[0010] Document WO2021074547A1 relates to detergent formulations comprising at least one secondary alcohol alkoxylate, and the use of said secondary alcohol alkoxylate as a surfactant having improved water solubility (i.e., improved solvent solubilizing properties).

[0011] Document WO2009155187 A1 relates to cleaning compositions comprising a medium range of alkoxylated surfactants or mixtures of alkoxylated surfactants, and their use as cleaners of triglycerides and cross-linked triglycerides, formulation stabilizers, reagents for ultra-concentrated cleaning formulations, pre-washes, detergents, agricultural adjuvants, hard surface cleaners, and emulsifiers.

[0012] Reference WO2012052545 A2 relates to the use of alkoxylated aliphatic alcohols to reduce the viscosity of aqueous agricultural chemical concentrates.

[0013] Despite all these general teachings about the various additives that can be used in agriculture, there is still a need for specific additives that can improve the efficacy, effectiveness, and wetting properties of aboveground and foliar fertilizers and phytosanitary formulations.

[0014] Aqueous solutions of agricultural products, such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, nematicides, fertilizers, biostimulants, etc., are typically applied directly to crop leaves and / or seeds and / or soil. All parts of crops and plants, such as leaves, as well as seeds and soil, are generally hydrophobic, meaning they can be difficult to wet with aqueous solutions. Surfactants can improve this wetting (the spreading of droplets on crops, seeds, and / or soil) because they reduce the surface tension of the solution, decreasing the contact angle of the droplets on the hydrophobic surface. Summary of the Invention

[0015] Therefore, the first objective of this invention is to provide an additive that is superior to known surfactants, particularly anionic and nonionic surfactants, in terms of reducing surface energy and wetting hydrophobic surfaces, especially for fertilizer solutions.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide additives that are effective in reducing surface energy and wetting hydrophobic surfaces, particularly for fertilizer solutions, and as stabilizers for agricultural compositions, especially those used in this invention.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a stable and environmentally friendly composition intended for use in agricultural foliar application, which exhibits improved hydrophobic surface wettability.

[0018] Other objects will be disclosed in the specification of this invention and will now be explained in detail below. Detailed Implementation Plan

[0019] Therefore, the first subject of this invention is the use of at least one compound of formula (I) as a surfactant in agricultural chemical formulations:

[0020] [RO-(AO) n ] m -B(I)

[0021] in:

[0022] -R is 2-octyl

[0023] -AO is a divalent group containing at least one ethoxy (EO) unit and / or at least one propoxy (PO) unit and / or at least one butoxy (BO) unit.

[0024] -n is zero or a number between 1 and 50, including the endpoints, and

[0025] -B is selected from hydrogen, group B1, and group B2.

[0026] - (B1), (B2),

[0027] -G is -O-[TO] p -R5,

[0028] R5 is selected from hydrogen, straight-chain, branched, or cyclic C1-C. 30 The hydrocarbon group, [TO] is a divalent group comprising at least one ethoxy (EO) unit and / or at least one propoxy (PO) unit and / or at least one butoxy (BO) unit, and p is a number between 0 and 100, including end values.

[0029] -J is -O- [T'O] s -R6,

[0030] - Where R6 is selected from hydrogen, straight-chain, branched, or cyclic C1-C 30 The hydrocarbon group, [T'O], is a divalent group comprising at least one ethoxy (EO) unit and / or at least one propoxy (PO) unit and / or at least one butoxy (BO) unit, and s is a number ranging from zero to 100, including end values.

[0031] -m is 1, 2 or 3

[0032] -q and r are independently 0, 1, or 2.

[0033] The condition is that B is not hydrogen when n is 0.

[0034] The condition is that when B is hydrogen or B₂, m is 1, and

[0035] The condition is m+q+r=3.

[0036] The surfactant of formula (I) above is a known compound, for example, known from document WO2019092366 when B is hydrogen, known from document WO2019092367 when B is B1, and known from document WO2019092368 when B is B2. The invention also includes possible salts of compounds of formula (I) with organic or inorganic bases, particularly when B is B1 or B2. The invention also includes end-capped surfactant compounds of formula (I) above, such as those described in document WO2021074544.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, n is a number of 0 or 1-30, including end values; preferably, n is a number of 0 or 1-25, including end values; more preferably, n is a number of 0 or 1-20, including end values; even more preferably, n is a number of 0 or 1-10, including end values; and particularly, n is a number of 0 or 1-5, including end values.

[0038] According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a surfactant of formula (I) above, wherein n is zero and B is B1 or B2, and preferably wherein n is 0 and B is B1.

[0039] Therefore, the surfactant used in formula (I) of this invention can be readily prepared from 2-octanol, which is particularly significant in several respects. Specifically, it is a biodegradable, bio-based product with favorable ecotoxicological characteristics and reasonable cost.

[0040] Agricultural chemical formulations containing at least one 2-octanol surfactant of formula (I) above exhibit better efficacy than other surfactant formulations based on C8 alcohols (e.g., formulations containing 2-ethylhexylalkoxylates). Therefore, 2-octanol surfactants are particularly useful, notably in agricultural chemical formulations, as wetting agents, spreading agents, penetrants, activators, and / or adjuvants, especially in fertilizer solutions, thereby improving the efficacy and effectiveness of fertilizers and other plant protection products.

[0041] As mentioned above, compared with other short (C8-C) 13 Unlike nonionic surfactants, the surfactant of formula (I) intended for use in the formulations of this invention is at least partially bio-based. The 2-octanol surfactant used in this invention is also biodegradable and non-ecotoxic. As a further advantage, this 2-octanol surfactant has fewer negative effects on crops, particularly on leaves.

[0042] According to another preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of surfactant compounds selected from the following:

[0043] -2-Octanol + 1 EO,

[0044] -2-Octanol + 1.5 EO,

[0045] -2-Octanol + 2 EO,

[0046] -2-Octanol + 2.5EO,

[0047] -2-Octanol + 3 EO,

[0048] -2-Octanol + 3.5 EO,

[0049] -2-Octanol + 6EO,

[0050] -2-Octanol + 6EO + 4PO

[0051] -2-Octanol + 7 EO,

[0052] -2-Octanol + 8 EO,

[0053] -2-Octanol + 15 EO,

[0054] -2-octanol phosphate ester,

[0055] -2-Octanol + 3,5-EO phosphate ester,

[0056] -2-Octanol + 6EO phosphate ester,

[0057] -2-octanol + 7EO phosphate ester,

[0058] -2-Octanol + 15EO phosphate ester,

[0059] 2-Octanol sulfate ester,

[0060] -2-Octanol + 3,5-EO sulfate ester,

[0061] -2-Octanol + 6EO sulfate ester,

[0062] -2-Octanol + 7EO sulfate ester,

[0063] -2-Octanol + 15EO sulfate ester.

[0064] According to the invention, the claimed use relates to at least one surfactant of formula (I) as shown above in an agricultural composition, and the total content of the surfactant of formula (I) is generally between 0.005% by weight and 5% by weight, preferably between 0.01% by weight and 2% by weight, and even more preferably between 0.05% by weight and 1% by weight, including the end values, relative to the total weight of the formulation.

[0065] The surfactant of formula (I) above can also be obtained in the form of a concentrated formulation, for example, at least one surfactant of formula (I) comprising 5% to 95% by weight relative to the total weight of the concentrated formulation; said concentrated formulation further comprises one or more solvents selected from water, glycerol, organic solvents, mineral oils or vegetable oils and mixtures thereof in any proportion. According to practice well known to those skilled in the art, such concentrated formulations are advantageously diluted before use.

[0066] Therefore, the compounds of formula (I) above can be advantageously mixed or otherwise used with any type of agricultural formulation known to those skilled in the art (e.g., fertilizers, insecticides, nematicides, herbicides, fungicides, or coating compositions for granules, fertilizers and seeds, as well as other agricultural products).

[0067] According to another embodiment, the present invention relates to an agricultural formulation comprising at least one surfactant compound of formula (I) as described above, wherein the total content of the compound of formula (I) is typically 0.005% to 10% by weight, preferably 0.01% to 5% by weight, and even more preferably 0.01% to 2% by weight, including end values, relative to the total weight of the formulation.

[0068] Advantageously, this diluted agricultural formulation also contains at least one agricultural product selected from fertilizers, pesticides, nematicides, herbicides, fungicides, coating compositions for granules, fertilizers, seeds, etc., and mixtures thereof.

[0069] The formulation of the present invention may also be in the form of a concentrated formulation, comprising 10% to 99.9% of at least one surfactant of formula (I) relative to the total weight of the concentrated formulation.

[0070] Similarly, this concentrated agricultural formulation advantageously also contains at least one agricultural product selected from fertilizers, pesticides, nematicides, herbicides, fungicides, coating compositions for granules, fertilizers, seeds, etc., and mixtures thereof.

[0071] The formulations of the present invention may further include, and advantageously include, standard additives, solvents and fillers known and commonly used in the art.

[0072] Among the possible solvents, those selected from water, organic solvents, mineral oils or vegetable oils and mixtures thereof in any proportion may be mentioned, with organic solvents optionally including alcohols such as glycerol, esters, etc.

[0073] The compounds having formula (I) described above, as well as any formulations containing such or such compounds, are particularly suitable for agricultural chemical formulations, and the term “suitable” means that compounds having formula (I) and formulations containing it can be mixed with or used in some other way with agricultural formulations known to those skilled in the art (e.g., fertilizers, pesticides, nematicides, herbicides, fungicides, coating compositions for granules, fertilizers, seeds, and other agricultural products).

[0074] More specifically, compounds having formula (I) and any formulations containing such or such compounds are suitable for agricultural chemical formulations containing mineral and / or organic fertilizers, nutrients and biological products, such as ammonium nitrate, nitrophosphate, ammonium sulfate phosphate, ammonium sulfate, calcium nitrate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, potassium chloride, monoammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, urea, micronutrients, trace elements, biostimulants, bacteria, yeast, fungi, viruses.

[0075] The formulations of the present invention are particularly applicable to agricultural chemical formulations containing phytosanitary products, such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or nematicides, as well as agricultural chemical formulations for coating granules, fertilizers, seeds, etc.

[0076] The formulations according to the present invention may also contain one or more of the following additives, other adjuvants and / or fillers, selected from rheology modifiers, dispersants, sedimentation inhibitors, scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, pH adjusters, defoamers, pigments, colorants, antioxidants, preservatives, odor modifiers, flavor enhancers, fragrances, flavorings and spreaders, emulsifiers and surfactants.

[0077] The formulations of the present invention can be prepared according to any method known to those skilled in the art, for example, and according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, by adding the surfactant of formula (I) to existing agrochemical formulations, which must be improved in terms of their effectiveness and surface wettability, particularly on the aboveground parts of crops, soil or seeds.

[0078] 2-Octanol surfactants can be added to agricultural chemical formulations at any time before, during, or after the addition of any other components, including the final formulation.

[0079] The preferred application of a compound having formula (I) and a corresponding formulation containing it is by spraying, although it can also be applied directly to the above-ground parts of the crop, such as the leaves or soil, by well-known water-based fertilization techniques, drip irrigation, and irrigation, or a combination of two or more of these techniques.

[0080] In the case of seed coating formulations and / or pretreatment, the agrochemical formulations used in this invention can also be used to treat all types of substrates requiring such treatment, such as seeds and / or soil. The formulations used in this invention have also found advantageous applications in improving soil moisture.

[0081] The agricultural chemical formulations used in this invention can also be used as soil pretreatment prior to irrigation or rainfall, as they improve water penetration into hydrophobic soils and / or reduce the amount of water required to achieve good crop yields, optimal yields, or even the highest optimal yields. The amount of irrigation water that can be reduced by using the agricultural chemical formulations used in this invention can vary considerably, for example, but not limited to, from 1% to 50%, preferably from 2% to 40%, and even more preferably from 5% to 30%.

[0082] According to another implementation, the formulation can also be added to the irrigation water to achieve similar or the same effect.

[0083] Therefore, the present invention relates to an agricultural chemical formulation comprising at least one 2-octanol surfactant of formula (I) as described above as a wetting agent for agricultural products.

[0084] Agricultural chemical formulations containing at least one 2-octanol surfactant of formula (I) exhibit better performance than other nonionic surfactants in reducing surface tension, particularly in wetting hydrophobic surfaces in agricultural chemical applications.

[0085] As already mentioned, the formulations of the present invention are fully compatible with crop nutrient formulations, particularly those well known in the art, and are therefore very easy and economical to prepare. Furthermore, the formulations of the present invention are wholly or at least partially bio-based and biodegradable.

[0086] The following embodiments are given by way of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

[0087] Example

[0088] Example 1: Preparation of the composition according to the present invention

[0089] Four different compositions were prepared by simply diluting 10% by weight of potassium chloride (KCl) and 0.1% by weight of four different surfactants in water at room temperature with gentle stirring, as shown below:

[0090] Surfactant A: 2-Octanol + 3,5-EO, purchased from Arkema.

[0091] Surfactant B: 2-Octanol + 6EO + 4PO, purchased from Arkema.

[0092] Surfactant C: 2-Octanol + 7 EO, purchased from Arkema.

[0093] Surfactant D: 2-Octanol + 15 EO, available from Arkema.

[0094] Similarly, other compositions are prepared using known surfactants, as shown below.

[0095] Example 2: Measurement of surface tension and contact angle on KCl solution

[0096] Surface tension was measured at room temperature using a Krüss DSA 30 droplet shape analyzer via the pendant drop method. The contact angle of droplets of the same composition was measured using the same instrument on a hydrophobic surface (Parafilm™) (which mimics the hydrophobic surface of a plant leaf).

[0097] High-performance agronomic compositions are characterized by low surface tension and low contact angle values. These compositions allow for better distribution of active agricultural components and absorption by crops. They also help reduce composition loss during application, as droplets can bounce and be lost during spraying.

[0098] The measured values ​​of surface tension and contact angle for each of the prepared compositions are given in Table 1 below:

[0099] --Table 1--

[0100]

[0101] (1) 2-Ethylhexyl-4EO, purchased from Nouryon

[0102] Compared to reference composition 1 (without surfactant), a significant reduction in surface tension and contact angle can be observed with composition 2 according to the invention. It should also be noted that lower surface tension and contact angle values ​​are obtained with composition 2 according to the invention compared to other nonionic surfactants with larger or different hydrocarbon (alkyl) chains. This clearly demonstrates the advantages of 2-octanol surfactants in the agrochemical compositions of the invention compared to other nonionic surfactants in KCl aqueous solutions.

[0103] Example 3: Surface tension and contact angle on MAP solution

[0104] Other compositions were prepared by simply diluting them in water and gently stirring at room temperature with the addition of 10% by weight of monoammonium phosphate and 0.1% by weight of the various surfactants shown below. Surface tension was measured at room temperature using a Krüss DSA 30 droplet shape analyzer via the pendant drop method. The contact angles of droplets of the same compositions were measured using the same instrument on a hydrophobic surface (Parafilm™) (which mimics the hydrophobic surface of plant leaves). The values ​​measured using these compositions are shown in Table 2 below:

[0105] Table 2

[0106]

[0107] (2) 2-Octanol phosphate, purchased from Arkema

[0108] In this embodiment, as before, a significant reduction in surface tension and contact angle can be observed with composition 10 (of the present invention) compared to reference composition 9. As shown, lower surface tension and contact angle values ​​are obtained with compositions 10 and 11 (of the present invention) compared to other nonionic surfactants with larger masses or different structures of hydrocarbon or alkyl moieties. However, in this case, the surface tension values ​​are more similar among the various compositions. Nevertheless, the two compositions of the present invention (10 and 11) achieve a significant advantage in contact angle compared to the remaining comparative compositions. As in the foregoing embodiments, the wetting agent in composition 12, which also has 8 carbon atoms in its hydrophobic chain, has a higher contact angle value than the wetting agent used in composition 10 (of the present invention). This embodiment further demonstrates the advantages of 2-octanol surfactants in agrochemical compositions compared to other nonionic surfactants.

[0109] Example 4: Surface tension and contact angle on NPK 19-19-19

[0110] The composition was prepared by simply diluting it in water and gently stirring at room temperature, then adding 10% by weight of soluble NPK 19-19-19 fertilizer and 0.1% by weight of surfactant. Surface tension was measured at room temperature using a Krüss DSA 30 droplet shape analyzer via the pendant drop method. The contact angle of droplets from the same composition was measured using the same instrument on a hydrophobic surface (Parafilm™) (which mimics the hydrophobic surface of plant leaves). Values ​​obtained from various compositions (including other nonionic surfactants) are shown in the table below:

[0111] Table 3

[0112]

[0113] This embodiment demonstrates that composition 16 according to the invention also significantly reduces the surface tension and contact angle of compound soluble fertilizers, such as those containing a mixture of several chemical substances, such as ammonium sulfate, urea, monoammonium phosphate, and potassium nitrate.

[0114] Example 5: Surface tension and contact angle in KNO3 solution

[0115] Other compositions were prepared by simply diluting in water and gently stirring at room temperature, adding 10% by weight of potassium nitrate (KNO3) and 0.1% by weight of a surfactant. Surface tension was measured at room temperature using a Krüss DSA 30 droplet shape analyzer via the pendant drop method. The contact angle of droplets of the same compositions was measured using the same instrument on a hydrophobic surface (Parafilm™) (which simulates the hydrophobic surface of plant leaves). The values ​​obtained from the various compositions (including other nonionic surfactants) are shown in Table 4 below:

[0116] Table 4

[0117]

[0118] In this embodiment, a significant reduction in surface tension and contact angle was observed with the compositions (18 to 21) of the subject matter of the present invention compared to reference composition 17. Differences in performance were also observed with increasing numbers of oxyethylidene groups. Optimal performance was observed with composition 18, which contains 2-octanol and a minimum amount of ethoxy groups (3).

[0119] Example 6: The effect of surface tension / contact angle-EO comparison on KCl solution

[0120] Compositions 22-25 were prepared by simply diluting in water and gently stirring at room temperature, adding 10% by weight of potassium chloride and 0.1% by weight of a surfactant. Surface tension was measured at room temperature using a Krüss DSA 30 droplet shape analyzer via the pendant drop method. The contact angles of droplets of the same composition were measured using the same instrument on a hydrophobic surface (Parafilm™) (which mimics the hydrophobic surface of plant leaves). Comparisons were made between the 2-octanol surfactant having formula (I) and other surfactants having an ethoxylated 2-ethylhexyl chain. The values ​​obtained from the various compositions are given in Table 5 below:

[0121] --Table 5--

[0122]

[0123] (3) It is prepared on a laboratory scale by a known method from 2-ethylhexanol and ethylene oxide under alkaline conditions (KOH).

[0124] (4) It is prepared on a laboratory scale by a known method from 2-ethylhexanol and ethylene oxide under alkaline conditions (KOH).

[0125] In this embodiment, compared to composition 3 (comparative), composition 22 (comparative), composition 23 (comparative), and composition 25 (comparative), a reduction in surface tension and contact angle was observed in composition 2 (according to the invention). Each pair of comparative compositions has the same number of ethylene oxide units in its structure. This embodiment demonstrates the advantage of the 2-octanol wetting agent of formula (I) in terms of reduced surface tension and wetting compared to the 2-ethylhexyl surfactant, even though all surfactants are based on alcohols having eight carbon atoms.

Claims

1. Use of at least one compound of formula (I) as a surfactant in agricultural chemical formulations. [RO-(AO) n ] m -B(I) in: -R is 2-octyl -AO is a divalent group containing at least one ethoxy (EO) unit and / or at least one propoxy (PO) unit and / or at least one butoxy (BO) unit. -n is a number between 0 and 1 and 50, inclusive. -B is selected from hydrogen, group B1, and group B2. (B1) (B2) -G is -O-[TO] p -R5, R5 is selected from hydrogen, straight-chain, branched, or cyclic C1-C. 30 The hydrocarbon group, [TO] is a divalent group comprising at least one ethoxy (EO) unit and / or at least one propoxy (PO) unit and / or at least one butoxy (BO) unit, and p is a number between 0 and 100, including end values. -J is -O- [T'O] s -R6, R6 is selected from hydrogen, straight-chain, branched, or cyclic C1-C. 30 The hydrocarbon group, [T'O], is a divalent group comprising at least one ethoxy (EO) unit and / or at least one propoxy (PO) unit and / or at least one butoxy (BO) unit, and s is a number between 0 and 100, including end values. -m is 1, 2 or 3 -q and r are independently 0, 1, or 2. The condition is that B is not hydrogen when n is 0. The condition is that when B is hydrogen or B₂, m is 1, and The condition is m+q+r=3.

2. Use of the compound of formula (I) according to claim 1, wherein formula (I) comprises a salt of the compound of formula (I) and an organic or inorganic base, and a capped compound of formula (I).

3. The use according to claim 1, wherein n is 0 or a number from 1 to 30, including end values, preferably n is 0 or a number from 1 to 25, including end values, more preferably n is 0 or a number from 1 to 20, including end values, even more preferably n is 0 or a number between 1 and 10, including end values, and particularly n is 0 or a number between 1 and 5, including end values.

4. The use according to claim 1, wherein n is 0 and B is B1 or B2, and preferably wherein n is 0 and B is B1.

5. The use according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant compound of formula (I) is selected from: -2-Octanol + 1 EO, -2-Octanol + 1.5 EO, -2-Octanol + 2 EO, -2-Octanol + 2.5EO, -2-Octanol + 3 EO, -2-Octanol + 3.5 EO, -2-Octanol + 6EO, -2-Octanol + 6EO + 4PO -2-Octanol + 7 EO, -2-Octanol + 8 EO, -2-Octanol + 15 EO, -2-octanol phosphate ester, -2-Octanol + 3,5-EO phosphate ester, -2-Octanol + 6EO phosphate ester, -2-octanol + 7EO phosphate ester, -2-Octanol + 15EO phosphate ester, 2-Octanol sulfate ester, -2-Octanol + 3,5-EO sulfate ester, -2-Octanol + 6EO sulfate ester, -2-Octanol + 7EO sulfate ester, -2-Octanol + 15EO sulfate ester.

6. A formulation comprising at least one surfactant compound of formula (I) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the total content of the compound of formula (I) is from 0.005% by weight to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.01% by weight to 5% by weight, and even more preferably from 0.01% by weight to 2% by weight, including the extreme values, relative to the total weight of the formulation.

7. The formulation according to claim 6, further comprising at least one agricultural product selected from fertilizers, pesticides, nematicides, herbicides, fungicides, coating compositions for granules, fertilizers, seeds, etc., and mixtures thereof.

8. A formulation comprising at least one surfactant compound of formula (I) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, the formulation comprising at least one surfactant of formula (I) at a weight percentage between 10% and 99.9% relative to the total weight of the concentrated formulation.

9. The formulation according to claim 8, further comprising at least one agricultural product selected from fertilizers, pesticides, nematicides, herbicides, fungicides, coating compositions for granules, fertilizers, seeds, etc., and mixtures thereof.

10. The formulation according to claim 6 or 7 further comprises additives, solvents, and fillers, said additives, solvents, and fillers being selected from rheology modifiers, dispersants, sedimentation inhibitors, scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, pH adjusters, defoamers, pigments, colorants, antioxidants, preservatives, odor modifiers, flavor enhancers, fragrances, flavorings, spreaders, emulsifiers, and surfactants.

11. The use of a compound of formula (I) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or a formulation according to any one of claims 6 to 8 for direct application to the aboveground parts of a crop, to the leaves of a crop, to the soil, to seeds by spraying, drip irrigation, or irrigation, or a combination of two or more of these techniques.

12. An agricultural chemical formulation comprising at least one 2-octanol surfactant of formula (I) as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, used as a wetting agent for agricultural products.

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