Liquid sulfonylurea herbicide composition

Abstract

A liquid herbicidal composition is provided that improves the stabilization of sulfonylurea herbicides in the composition. [Solution] A liquid herbicidal composition is provided, which comprises a non-aqueous solvent system; at least one sulfonylurea herbicide in an amount of 10% by weight or less; and two or more surfactants, wherein 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is made up of surfactants selected from specific surfactant classes 1 to 14; and at least two different surfactant classes 1 to 14 each account for at least 10% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system, at least one sulfonylurea herbicide in an amount of 10% by weight or less, and a combination of at least two surfactants, as described herein. The present invention also relates to the use of this surfactant combination to improve chemical stabilization of the sulfonylurea herbicide at low amounts in a liquid composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Background of the invention Sulfonylureas are a well-known and important class of herbicides, which are widely used in a wide variety of agricultural and horticultural crops, and also in lawn, pasture and non-crop situations to control various annual and perennial broad-leaved weeds and grasses.However, sulfonylureas are known to be unstable, because they tend to hydrolyze through the cleavage of sulfonylurea bridge.Although this instability is sometimes considered advantageous in terms of achieving low soil residue of these compounds, it brings about serious commercial problems in terms of the storage stability of formulated products.

[0003] One way to maintain the stability of sulfonylurea herbicides is to formulate them as solid products.However, end users typically prefer liquid herbicidal compositions to solid compositions, because liquid herbicidal compositions are easier to handle in measuring, pumping, diluting and dispersing in water, and spraying operations, and also generally exhibit superior biological efficacy.However, the tendency of sulfonylurea herbicides to hydrolyze in liquid compositions makes it difficult to develop stable liquid formulations.

[0004] The first step to provide some stability is to prepare a dispersion such as an oil (OD), emulsifiable concentrate (EC), or soluble concentrate (SL). The goal of this paper is to formulate sulfonylurea herbicides into non-aqueous formulations. However, these types of formulations typically require the presence of a surfactant to disperse the sulfonylurea in the non-aqueous formulation or to disperse the non-aqueous solvent and sulfonylurea in the final tank mix when diluted with water. Mixtures of different surfactants are usually used to accomplish these different goals.

[0005] US2005 / 113254A1 describes a liquid formulation of a sulfonylurea selected from the group consisting of metsulfuron, thifensulfuron, tribenuron, chlorsulfuron, and their salts and esters, and one or more safeners from the group consisting of mefenpyr, isoxadifen, cloquintocet, fenchlorazole, and their salts and esters. The effective surfactant used is from the sulfosuccinate class of surfactants. WO00 / 25586A1 describes a liquid herbicidal composition containing a herbicide suspended or dissolved in a non-aqueous liquid phase, a sulfonylurea-type herbicide suspended in a non-aqueous liquid phase, and at least one surfactant, such as alkylbenzenesulfonate, ethoxylated castor oil, or tristyrylphenol ethoxylate sulfate. WO2017 / 220680A1 describes a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system, at least one sulfonylurea herbicide, at least one inorganic or C1-C12 organic lithium salt, and a surfactant, such as an alkylbenzene sulfonate or an ethoxylated sorbitan ester. WO2012 / 175899A1 describes a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system, at least one sulfonylurea herbicide, at least one inorganic or C1-C12 organic lithium salt, and a surfactant, such as an alkylbenzene sulfonate or an ethoxylated sorbitan ester. and a surfactant, such as alkylbenzene sulfonate, ethoxylated castor oil, or tristyrylphenol ethoxylate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] US2005 / 113254A1 [Patent Document 2] WO00 / 25586A1 [Patent Document 3] WO2017 / 220680A1 [Patent Document 4] WO2012 / 175899A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The inventors have now discovered that certain commonly used surfactants are expected to cause the degradation of sulfonylurea herbicides in non-aqueous liquid formulations. When these surfactants are used as the main component of a surfactant mixture, or even worse, when these surfactants are used together with other surfactants that also cause degradation, the stability of the sulfonylurea is greatly deteriorated. Therefore, the inventors investigated ways to improve the stability of sulfonylurea herbicides in liquid compositions based on the selection of surfactants.

[0008] The present inventors have further found that the degree of decomposition of sulfonylurea herbicides depends on the concentration of sulfonylurea herbicides in the liquid composition. When sulfonylurea herbicides are present in a low amount (for example, 10% by weight or less of the liquid composition), decomposition is more severe than when sulfonylurea is present in a relatively large amount. One way to reduce the decomposition of sulfonylurea in the presence of a surfactant that causes decomposition would be to increase its amount in the liquid composition, but this is not always feasible. Sulfonylurea herbicides are very active, and when combined with other active agents (for example, non-sulfonylurea herbicides), they often need to be combined in relatively small amounts. Therefore, the present inventors have investigated a method for improving the stabilization of sulfonylurea herbicides in liquid compositions based on the selection of surfactants, even when sulfonylurea herbicides are present in low amounts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] 3. Summary of the invention The present inventors have surprisingly found that by using a specific surfactant combination, the degradation of sulfonylurea herbicides can be reduced or completely avoided even at low levels, thereby arriving at the present invention.For the purpose of the present invention, surfactants are divided into "surfactant classes" based on their common or shared chemical structure.The present inventors have found that when a combination of two or more surfactants from these different surfactant classes is used, and further, when a significant portion of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is from the identified surfactant class, the degradation of sulfonylurea herbicides can be significantly reduced or eliminated, even when sulfonylurea is present in low amounts.

[0010] The present invention provides a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system; one or more sulfonylurea herbicides, wherein at least one sulfonylurea herbicide is present in the liquid composition in an amount of 10% by weight or less; and two or more surfactants, wherein 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are composed of surfactants selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14 listed below; and wherein at least two different surfactant classes 1 to 14 each account for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition: Class 1 Alkyl end-capped fatty alcohol alkoxylates; Class 2 Alkylbenzenesulfonates with non-nitrogen-containing counterions; Class 3 Metallic stearates; Class 4 fatty acid-polyalkylene glycol ABA-block copolymers; Class 5 fatty alcohol alkoxylates; Class 6 fatty acid alkoxylates; Class 7 Ethoxylated Castor Oil; Class 8 Sorbitan esters; Class 9 Ethoxylated sorbitan esters; Class 10 EO / PO / EO block copolymer; Class 11 Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates; Class 12 Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate sulfate esters with non-nitrogen-containing counterions; Class 13 Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphate esters with non-nitrogen-containing counterions; and Class 14 Ethoxylated alkyl phosphate esters with non-nitrogen-containing counterions.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, surfactant classes 1 to 4 together comprise 60 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5 to 14 each together comprise 10 to 40% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0012] The present invention also relates to the use of a combination of two surfactants from the two different surfactant classes described above to improve the stability of sulfonylurea herbicides in the liquid herbicidal compositions according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] 4. Detailed Description of the Invention 4.1 Overview The terms "comprises," "comprising," "include," "having," "including," "has," "having," or any other variation thereof, as used herein, are intended to cover open-ended inclusions. For example, a composition that includes a list of ingredients is not necessarily limited to only those ingredients and may include other ingredients not expressly listed or inherently included in such composition. Thus, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "having," "including," "has," "having ... "include," "including," "has," "having" "having" or any other variation thereof also covers the disclosed embodiments having no further additional components (i.e., consisting of those components).

[0014] The indefinite articles "a" and "an" preceding an element or component of the present invention are also No limitation is intended regarding the number of instances (i.e., occurrences) of an element or component. Thus, "a" and "an" are intended to include one or at least one. and unless the number is clearly meant to be one, the singular form of an element or component also includes the plural.

[0015] Furthermore, when one aspect of the present invention is described as "preferred," it is to be understood that this preferred aspect of the present invention may be combined with any other preferred aspect of the present invention.

[0016] 4.2 Liquid composition The herbicidal composition of the present invention is a liquid. "Liquid" means that the composition is in the form of a liquid at standard temperature and pressure. Suitable liquid compositions that can be used in the present invention include "Ca and non-aqueous-based liquid formulations as defined in "Talog of pesticide formulation types and international coding system," Technical Research Paper No. 2, 6th Edition, May 2008, CropLife International. Exemplary liquid compositions for use in the present invention include dispersible concentrates (DC), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), and non-aqueous-based liquid formulations as defined in "Talog of pesticide formulation types and international coding system," Technical Research Paper No. 2, 6th Edition, May 2008, CropLife International. The liquid portion of a solid / liquid (KK) or liquid / liquid (KL) combi-pack, oil dispersion (OD), oil miscible flowable concentrate (OF), oil miscible liquid (OL), oil-based liquid (SL), dispersible oil (SO), oil-based ultra-low volume liquid (UL) or suspension (SU), or any other non-aqueous-based liquid not already specified by a specific code in the CropLife monograph (AL). Among these, oils (OD), dispersions (DC), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), and oil-based liquids (SL) are preferred. These and other formulations are known in the art and are described, for example, in "Pesticide Formulations" by Wade van Valkenburg (1973). ), and in "New Trends in Crop Protection Formulations" edited by Alan Knowles (2013).

[0017] The present invention is particularly suitable for improving the chemical stability of sulfonylureas in oil (OD), emulsifiable concentrate (EC), and liquid (SL) formulations. Therefore, these types of formulations are most preferred for the present invention. The term "oil" is understood to mean a dispersion concentrate based on a non-aqueous solvent in which one or more solid active compounds are suspended, and in this case, additional active ingredients may be dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent. In one embodiment, at least one sulfonylurea compound is suspended in a non-aqueous solvent system. Additional sulfonylurea compounds may be co-suspended and / or dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent system. In addition to one or more sulfonylurea compounds, one or more non-sulfonylurea herbicidal compounds may be suspended and / or dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent system.

[0018] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "suspended" and "dissolved" have their ordinary meanings in the art. Whether a compound is suspended or dissolved can be determined at standard temperature and pressure. For the avoidance of doubt, the term "suspended" can be interpreted to mean that 80% or more, preferably 90% or more, and even more preferably 95% or more by weight of the compound in question is suspended within the liquid composition, whereas the term "dissolved" can be interpreted to mean that 90% or more, preferably 95% or more, and even more preferably 99% or more by weight of the compound in question is dissolved in the liquid composition.

[0019] 4.3 Non-aqueous solvent systems The compositions of the present invention comprise a non-aqueous solvent system. The term "non-aqueous solvent system" means that one or more solvents (e.g., organic solvents) other than water are used as the liquid carrier in a liquid composition. This does not necessarily mean that the solvent system must not be completely free of water. Trace amounts of water may be present in the ingredients used to prepare the non-aqueous solvent system. For example, trace amounts of water may be introduced into the solvent system by the organic solvents, surfactants, or salts used to prepare the liquid herbicidal composition. While the term "non-aqueous solvent system" is clear in the art (e.g., OD, EC, and SL employ non-aqueous solvent systems), for the avoidance of doubt, this term may be interpreted to mean that the liquid composition contains water in an amount of 5% or less by weight of the composition, preferably 3% or less by weight, more preferably 2% or less by weight, and most preferably 1% or less by weight.

[0020] The sulfonylurea herbicides may be dissolved, dispersed, suspended, or dispersed in a non-aqueous solvent system. The non-aqueous solvent system preferably contains one or more aprotic organic solvents as the major component of the solvent system. When the amount of aprotic solvent in the solvent system is 50% by weight or more, the stability of the sulfonylurea is significantly improved. Preferably, the one or more aprotic solvents constitute 60% by weight or more, 70% by weight or more, 80% by weight or more, and most preferably 90% by weight or more of the solvent system. Suitable aprotic organic solvents for use in the present invention include, for example, those listed under "Component (C)" in US 2005 / 0113254 (Bayer CropScience GmbH): (1) Hydrocarbons which may be unsubstituted or substituted, such as: (1a) aromatic hydrocarbons, such as mono- or poly-alkyl-substituted benzenes, for example toluene, xylene, mesitylene, ethylbenzene, or mono- or poly-alkyl-substituted naphthalenes, for example 1-methylnaphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene or dimethylnaphthalene, or aromatic hydrocarbons derived from other benzenes, for example indane or Tetralin®, or mixtures thereof; (1b) Aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbons, for example, those of formula C n H 2n+2 of the Exxsol® D series, Isopar® series or Bayol® series, such as Bayol® 82 (ExxonMobil Chemicals), or Isane® 82 (ExxonMobil Chemicals). ) IP Series or Hydroseal (Hydroseal) G Series ose (TotalFinaElf), as well as linear, branched or cyclic unsaturated aliphatics, such as terpenes, e.g. turpentine and its constituents (e.g. pinene, camphene), as well as compounds derivable therefrom, e.g. isobornyl acetate (exo-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl acetate), (1c) Mixtures of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, for example solvents of the Solvesso® series, such as Solvesso® 100, Solvesso® 150 or Solvesso® 200 (ExxonMobil Chemicals), solvents of the Solvarex® / Solvaro® series (Totalfina Elf) or Caromax® series, such as Caromax®. 28 (Petrochem Carless), or (1d) Halogenated hydrocarbons, such as halogenated aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, for example, chlorobenzene or methylene chloride; (2) aprotic polar solvents, such as ethers, esters of C1-C9-alkanoic acids, which may be mono-, di- or polyfunctional, for example their mono-, di- or triesters, e.g., C1-C 18 alkyl alcohols, ketones with a low tendency to tautomerize, phosphate esters, amides, mono-, di- or triesters with nitriles or sulfones, such as tris-2-ethylhexyl phosphate, diisobutyl adipate, Rhodiasolv® RPDE (Rhodia), cyclohexanone, Jeffsol® PC (Huntsman), γ-butyrolactone, pyrrolidone Base solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone or N-butylpyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetonitrile, tributylphosphatam or Hostarex® PO series (Clariant); (3) fatty acid esters, for example of natural origin, such as natural oils, for example animal or vegetable oils, or of synthetic origin, for example the Edenor® series, for example Edenor® MEPa or Edenor® MESU, or Agnique (registered trademark) ME series or Agnique (registered trademark) AE series (Cognis), Salim (registered trademark) ME series (Salim), Radia (registered trademark) series, for example Radia (registered trademark) 30167 (ICI), Prilube (registered trademark) series, for example Prilube® 1530 (Petrofina), Stepan® C series (Stepan) or Witconol® 23 series (Witco). The fatty acid ester is preferably C 10 ~ C 22 - esters of fatty acids, preferably C 12 ~C 20 -Esters of fatty acids. 10 ~C 22 The fatty acid esters may be, for example, unsaturated or saturated C 10 ~C 22 Esters of fatty acids, especially those with an even number of carbon atoms, such as erucic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, especially C 18 - esters of fatty acids, such as stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid or linolenic acid.

[0021] C 10 ~C 22Examples of fatty acid esters, such as fatty acid esters, are fatty acids, e.g., C 10 ~C 22 Glycerol and glycol esters of fatty acids or their transesterification products, such as fatty acid alkyl esters, e.g. C 10 ~C 22 -Fatty acid C1~C 20 alkyl esters, such as the above-mentioned glycerol or glycol fatty acid esters, e.g. C 10 ~C 22 -Fatty acid esters, C1 to C 20 C, which can be obtained by transesterification with alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol, or butanol) 10 ~C 22 -Fatty acid C1~C 20 -alkyl esters. Preferred fatty acid alkyl esters are, for example, C 10 ~C 22 -Fatty acid C1~C 20 -Alkyl esters are methyl esters, ethyl esters, propyl esters, butyl esters, 2-ethylhexyl esters and dodecyl esters. Preferred glycol and glycerol fatty acid esters are, for example, C 10 ~C 22 -Fatty acid esters are C 10 ~C 22 fatty acids, in particular fatty acids with an even number of carbon atoms, such as erucic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, in particular C 18 - homogeneous or mixed glycol and glycerol esters of fatty acids, such as stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid or linolenic acid.

[0022] Animal oils and vegetable oils are generally known and commercially available.For the purposes of the present invention, the term "animal oil" is understood to mean oils of animal origin, such as whale oil, cod liver oil, musk oil or mink oil, and the term "vegetable oil" is understood to mean oils of oleaginous plant species, such as soybean oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, coconut oil, palm oil, thistle oil, walnut oil, peanut oil, olive oil or castor oil, in particular rapeseed oil, and in this case vegetable oils also include their transesterification products, such as alkyl esters, for example rapeseed oil methyl ester or rapeseed oil ethyl ester.

[0023] The vegetable oil is preferably C 10 ~C 22 - esters of fatty acids, preferably C 12 ~C 20 -Esters of fatty acids. 10 ~C 22 The fatty acid esters may be, for example, unsaturated or saturated C 10 ~C 22 fatty acids, in particular those with an even number of carbon atoms, such as esters of erucic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, in particular C 18 - Esters of fatty acids, such as stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid or linolenic acid. Examples of vegetable oils are glycerol or glycol C 10 ~C 22 -C with fatty acids 10 ~C 22 -fatty acid esters, or for example glycerol or glycol C as mentioned above 10 ~C 22 -Fatty acid esters, C1 to C 20 C, which can be obtained by transesterification with alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol, or butanol) 10 ~C 22 -Fatty acid C1~C 20The vegetable oils are, in the form of mixtures, for example commercially available vegetable oils, in particular rapeseed oil, for example the methyl esters of rapeseed oil, e.g. Phytorob® B (Novance, France). , Edenor® MESU and Agnike® ME series (Cognis, Germany), Radia® series (ICI), Prilube® series (Petrofina) or in the form of biodiesel, or In the form of formulation adjuvants containing commercially available vegetable oils, in particular rapeseed oil, for example those based on the methyl ester of rapeseed oil, e.g. Hasten® (Victoria Chemical Company, Australia), Actiro Actirob® B (Novance, France), Rako-Binol® (Bayer AG, Germany), Renol )® (Stefes, Germany) or Mero® (Stefes, Germany).

[0024] Examples of synthetic acid esters include fatty acids with odd numbers of carbon atoms, e.g., C 11 ~C 21 -Derived from fatty acid esters.

[0025] Preferred organic solvents are hydrocarbons, in particular aromatic and / or aliphatic hydrocarbons, and fatty acid esters, such as vegetable oils, for example triglycerides of fatty acids having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, which may be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, and may or may not contain further functional groups, such as, for example, corn oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, palm oil, thistle oil or castor oil, and their transesterification products, such as fatty acid alkyl esters, and mixtures thereof.

[0026] Preferred solvents for use in the present invention include linear or branched C6 to C30 paraffin oils, such as hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, decane, undecane, dodecane, tridecane, tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane, mixtures thereof, or mixtures thereof with higher boiling homologues, such as heptadecane, octadecane, nonadecane, eicosane, heneicosane, docosane, tricosane, tetracosane, pentacosane, and mixtures thereof with their branched isomers; aromatic or alicyclic solvents, which may be unsubstituted or substituted, C7 to C18-hydrocarbon compounds, such as mono- or poly-alkyl-substituted benzenes or mono- or poly-alkyl-substituted naphthalenes; vegetable oils, such as liquid triglycerides, for example olive oil, kapok oil, castor oil, papaya oil, camellia oil, palm oil, sesame oil, corn oil, rice bran oil, and the like. Examples include oils such as oat oil, peanut oil, walnut oil, palm oil, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil, tung oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, or even transesterification products thereof, such as alkyl esters, for example rapeseed oil methyl ester or rapeseed oil ethyl ester; animal oils, for example whale oil, cod liver oil, or mink oil; liquid esters of C1-C12 monoalcohols or polyols, for example butanol, n-octanol, i-octanol, dodecanol, cyclopentanol, cyclohexanol, cyclooctanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or benzyl alcohol, with C2-C10 carboxylic or polycarboxylic acids, for example caproic acid, capric acid, caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, succinic acid, and glutaric acid; or liquid esters of aromatic carboxylic acids, for example benzoic acid, toluic acid, salicylic acid, and phthalic acid.Thus, esters that can be used in the compositions of the invention are, for example, benzyl acetate, ethyl caproate, isobornyl acetate, ethyl pelargonate, methyl or ethyl benzoate, methyl, propyl, or butyl salicylate, diesters of phthalic acid with saturated aliphatic or alicyclic C1-C12 alcohols, such as dimethyl phthalate, dibutyl ester, diisoctyl phthalate; liquid amides of C1-C3 amines, alkylamines, or alkanolamines with C6-C18 carboxylic acids; or mixtures thereof.

[0027] The non-aqueous solvent system is present in an amount that allows it to act as a liquid carrier for other components present in the composition. Preferably, the non-aqueous solvent system contains an organic solvent in an amount of at least 5% by weight based on the weight of the composition. If other components in the composition are also liquid (e.g., liquid herbicides and / or liquid emulsifiers), a lower amount of organic solvent is possible. More preferably, the non-aqueous solvent system contains the organic solvent in an amount of at least 10% by weight, at least 15% by weight, at least 20% by weight, at least 25% by weight, at least 30% by weight, or at least 40% by weight of the composition. Preferably, the non-aqueous solvent system contains the organic solvent in an amount of 95% by weight or less of the composition. More preferably, the non-aqueous solvent system contains the organic solvent in an amount of 90% by weight or less, 85% by weight or less, 80% by weight or less, 75% by weight or less, or 60% by weight or less of the composition. Any of the disclosed lower weight percent limits for the amount of organic solvent in a non-aqueous solvent system can be combined with any of the disclosed upper weight percent limits to define additional suitable weight percent ranges for purposes of this invention. By way of example, exemplary ranges for the amount of organic solvent in the composition include 5-95 wt.%, 10-90 wt.%, 20-80 wt.%, 30-60 wt.%, 40-60 wt.%, 10-75 wt.%, and 20-60 wt.%, all based on the weight of the liquid herbicidal composition.

[0028] If more than one organic solvent is present in the composition, the amounts stated herein refer to the total amount of all organic solvents present in the composition.

[0029] The total amount of protic organic solvents, such as alcohols, amines and carboxylic acids, is preferably maintained at 20 wt% or less based on the weight of the liquid composition.More preferably, the total amount of protic organic solvents is 15 wt% or less, 10 wt% or less, 5 wt% or less, 2 wt% or less, or 1 wt% or less of the composition.When more than one protic solvent is present in the composition, the amount described herein refers to the total amount of all protic solvents present in the composition.

[0030] 4.4 Sulfonylureas The liquid composition of the present invention comprises at least one sulfonylurea herbicide present in an amount of 10% by weight or less based on the weight of the liquid composition.The sulfonylurea is not particularly limited and may be any herbicidal sulfonylurea known in the art or described in patent literature.For example, the sulfonylurea may be selected from the sulfonylureas listed in Section 16 of "The Pesticide Manual" (ISBN-10:190139686X).According to the general structure, the sulfonylurea may be a compound according to formula (1) as described in WO2007 / 027863A2 (EI DuPont de Nemours and Company): [ka] In the formula, J is R 13 SO2N(CH3)- or J is [ka] wherein: R is H or CH3; R 1is F, Cl, Br, NO2, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C3-C4 cycloalkyl, C2-C4 haloalkenyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkoxy, C2-C4 alkoxyalkoxy, CO2R 14 , C(O)NR 15 R 16 , SO2NR 17 R 18 , S(O) n R 19 , C(O)R 20 , CH2CN or L; R 2 is H, F, Cl, Br, I, CN, CH3, OCH3, SCH3, CF3 or OCF2H; R 3 is Cl, NO2, CO2CH3, CO2CH2CH3, C(O)CH3, C(O)CH2CH3, C(O)-cyclopropyl, SO2N(CH3)2, SO2CH3, SO2CH2CH3, OCH3 or OCH2CH3; R 4 is C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C2 haloalkyl, C1-C2 alkoxy, C2-C4 haloalkenyl; F, Cl, Br, NO2, CO2R 14 , C(O)NR 15 R 16 , SO2NR 17 R 18 , S(O)nR 19 , C(O)R 20 or L; R 5 is H, F, Cl, Br or CH3; R 6 is C1-C3 alkyl optionally substituted with 0-3 F, 0-1 Cl and 0-1 C3-C4 alkoxyacetyloxy, or R 6 is C1-C2 alkoxy, C2-C4 haloalkenyl, F, Cl, Br, CO2R 14 , C(O)NR 15 R 16 , SO2NR 17 R 18 , S(O) n R 19 , C(O)R 20or L; R 7 is H, F, Cl, CH3 or CF3; R 8 is H, C1-C3 alkyl or pyridyl; R 9 is C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C2 alkoxy, F, Cl, Br, NO2, CO2R 14 , SO2NR 17 R 18 , S(O) n R 19 , OCF2H, C(O)R 20 , C2-C4 haloalkenyl or L; R 10 is H, Cl, F, Br, C1-C3 alkyl or C1-C2 alkoxy; R 11 is H, C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C2 alkoxy, C2-C4 haloalkenyl, F, Cl, Br, CO2R 14 , C(O)NR 15 R 16 , SO2NR 17 R 18 , S(O) n R 19 , C(O)R 20 or L; R 12 is halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, or C1-C3 alkylsulfonyl; R 13 is C1-C4 alkyl; R 14 is selected from the group consisting of allyl, propargyl, oxetan-3-yl, and C1-C3 alkyl optionally substituted with at least one member independently selected from halogen, C1-C2 alkoxy, and CN; R 15 is H, C1-C3 alkyl or C1-C2 alkoxy; R 16 is C1-C2 alkyl; R 17 is H, C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C2 alkoxy, allyl, or cyclopropyl; R18 is H or C1-C3 alkyl; R 19 is C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C3 haloalkyl, allyl, or propargyl; R 20 is C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, or C3-C5 cycloalkyl optionally substituted by halogen; n is 0, 1 or 2; L is [ka] and L 1 is CH2, NH or O; R 21 is selected from the group of H and C1-C3 alkyl; X is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 haloalkylthio, C1-C4 alkylthio, halogen, C2-C5 alkoxyalkyl, C2-C5 alkoxyalkoxy, amino, C1-C3 alkylamino and di(C1-C3 alkyl)amino; Y is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkoxy, C1-C4 alkylthio, C1-C4 haloalkylthio, C2-C5 alkoxyalkyl, C2-C5 alkoxyalkoxy, amino, C1-C3 alkylamino, di(C1-C3 alkyl)amino, C3-C4 alkenyloxy, C3-C4 alkynyloxy, C2-C5 alkylthioalkyl, C2-C5 alkylsulfinylalkyl, C2-C5 alkylsulfonylalkyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C3-C5 cycloalkyl, azido and cyano; Z is selected from the group CH and N; With the proviso that (i) when one or both of X and Y is C1 haloalkoxy, then Z is CH; and (ii) when X is halogen, then Z is CH and Y is OCH3, OCH2CH3, N(OCH3)CH3, NHCH3, N(CH3)2, or CF2H.

[0031] In the above formula (1), the term "alkyl," used either alone or in compound words such as "alkylthio" or "haloalkyl," includes, for example, straight-chain or branched alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, or the different butyl isomers; "cycloalkyl" includes, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, and cyclopentyl; and "alkenyl" includes, for example, straight-chain or branched alkenes, such as ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, and the different butenyl isomers. "Alkenyl" also includes polyenes, such as 1,2-propadienyl and 2,4-butadienyl; "alkynyl" includes straight-chain or branched alkynes, such as ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, and the different butynyl isomers; "alkynyl" can include moieties composed of multiple triple bonds, such as 2,5-hexadiynyl; "alkoxy" includes, for example, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propyloxy, isopropyloxy, and the different butoxy isomers; "Alkoxyalkyl" refers to alkoxy substitution on alkyl, examples of which include CH3OCH2, CH3OCH2CH2, CH3CHOCH2, CH3CH2CH2CH2OCH2, and CH3CHOCH2CH2; "alkoxyalkoxy" refers to alkoxy substitution on alkoxy; "alkenyloxy" refers to straight-chain or branched alkenyloxy moieties, examples of which include H2C=CHCHO, (CH3)CH=CHCHO, and CH2=CHCH2CH2O; "alkynyloxy" refers to alkyl moieties, examples of which include H2C=CHCHO, (CH3)CH=CHCHO, and CH2=CHCH2CH2O; "Oxy" includes straight-chain or branched alkynyloxy moieties, examples of which include HC≡CCH2O and CH3C≡CCH2O; "alkylthio" includes branched or straight-chain alkylthio moieties, such as methylthio, ethylthio, and the different propylthio isomers; "alkylthioalkyl" refers to alkylthio substitution on alkyl, examples of which include CH3SCH2, CH3SCH2CH2, CH3CH2SCH2, CH3CH2CH2CH2SCH2, and CH3CH2SCH2CH2;"Alkylsulfinylalkyl" and "alkylsulfonylalkyl" include the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones, respectively; other substituents such as "alkylamino," "dialkylamino," etc. are similarly defined;

[0032] In the above formula (1), the total number of carbon atoms in a substituent is indicated by the prefix "Ci-Cj," where i and j are numbers from 1 to 5. For example, C1-C4 alkyl refers to methyl through butyl, including various isomers. As further examples, C2 alkoxyalkyl refers to CHOCH2; C3 alkoxyalkyl refers to, for example, CH3CH(OCH3), CHOCH2CH2, or CH3CHOCH2; and C4 alkoxyalkyl refers to the various isomers of an alkyl group substituted with an alkoxy group containing a total of four carbon atoms, examples of which include CH3CH2CH2OCH2 and CH3CHOCH2CH2.

[0033] In the above formula (1), the term "halogen," either alone or in compound words such as "haloalkyl," includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine. Furthermore, when used in compound words such as "haloalkyl," the alkyl may be partially or fully substituted with halogen atoms, which may be the same or different. Examples of "haloalkyl" include F3C, ClCH2, CF3CH2, and CFC12. The terms "haloalkoxy," "haloalkylthio," and the like, are defined in the same way as the term "haloalkyl." Examples of "haloalkoxy" include CFO, CCl3CHO, HCF2CH2CH2O, and CF3CHO. Examples of "haloalkylthio" include CCl3S, CF3S, CCl3CH2S, and ClCH2CH2CH2S.

[0034] For purposes of this invention, preferred sulfonylureas according to formula (1) include those in which X is selected from the group of C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 haloalkoxy, halogen, di(C1-C3 alkyl)amino, and Y is selected from the group of C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, and C1-C4 haloalkoxy. More preferably, X is selected from CH3, OCH3, Cl, OCHF2, and N(CH3)2, and Y is selected from CH3, OCH3, OCHF2, and OCH2CF3.

[0035] Preferred sulfonylureas according to formula (1) also include those in which J is J-1 and R 1 is Cl, CO2CH3, CO2C2H5, CH2CH2CF3, or OCH2CH2Cl, and R 2 is H; J is J-1 and R 1 is CO2CH3 and R 2 is CH3; J is J-2 and R 3 is CO2C2H5, OCH2CH3, or COC3-cycloalkyl, and L 1 is CH2, O, or NH, and R 2 is H; J is J-5 and R 4 is CO2CH3 and R 5 is H; J is J-6 and R 6 is CON(CH3)2, SO2CH2CH3, or CF3, and R 7 is H; J is J-10 and R 8 is CH3 and R 9 is CO2CH3 and R 10 However, Cl may also be mentioned.

[0036] For purposes of this invention, sulfonylureas according to formula (1), or any of the exemplary sulfonylureas described herein, shall be understood to mean all of the forms commonly used in this technical field, such as acids, esters, salts, and isomers. In this invention, salts include acid addition salts with inorganic or organic acids, such as hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, propionic acid, salicylic acid, tartaric acid, 4-toluenesulfonic acid, or valeric acid. Also included are salts formed with organic bases (e.g., pyridine, ammonia, or triethylamine) or inorganic bases (e.g., hydrides, hydroxides, or carbonates of sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, or barium). Preferred salts of the sulfonylureas according to formula (1), or the exemplary sulfonylureas described herein, include lithium, sodium, potassium, triethylammonium, and quaternary ammonium salts. Preferred esters for purposes of this invention are alkyl esters, particularly C1-C 10 alkyl esters, such as methyl and ethyl esters.

[0037] Exemplary sulfonylureas according to formula (1) that can be used in the present invention include: Amidosulfuron (N-[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimdinyl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-N-methylmethanesulfonamide), Azimsulfuron (N-[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]- carbonyl]-1-methyl-4-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-sulfonamide), Bensulfuron methyl (methyl 2-[[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]amino]-sulfonyl]methyl]benzoate), Chlorimuron-ethyl (ethyl 2-[[[[(4-chloro-6-methoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate), Chlorsulfuron (2-chloro-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]benzenesulfonamide), Cinosulfuron (N-[[(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]-2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-benzenesulfonamide), Cyclosulfamuron (N-[[[2-(cyclopropylcarbonyl)phenyl]amino]-sulfonyl]-N 1 -(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea), Ethametsulfuron methyl (methyl 2-[[[[[4-ethoxy-6-(methylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]amino]carbonyl]amino]-sulfonyl]benzoate), Ethoxysulfuron (2-ethoxyphenyl[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)-amino]carbonyl]sulfamate), Flazasulfuron (N-[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinesulfonamide), Flucetosulfuron (l-[3-[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)-amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-2-pyridinyl]-2-fluoropropyl methoxyacetate), Flupyrsulfuron methyl ((methyl 2-[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pyridinecarboxylate), Foramsulfuron (2-[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-4-(formylamino)-N,N-dimethylbenzamide), Halosulfuronmethyl (methyl 3-chloro-5-[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-l-methyl-lH-pyrazole-4-carboxylate), Imazosulfuron (2-chloro-N-[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]-carbonyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-sulfonamide), Iodosulfuron methyl (methyl 4-iodo-2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate), Iofensulfuron (2-iodo-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-l,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]benzenesulfonamide), Mesosulfuron-methyl (methyl 2-[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]amino]-sulfonyl]-4-[[(methylsulfonyl)amino]methyl]benzoate), Metazosulfuron (3-chloro-4-(5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-1,4,2-dioxazin-3-yl)-N-[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-5-sulfonamide), Metsulfuron methyl (methyl 2-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate), Nicosulfuron (2-[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-N,N-dimethyl-3-pyridinecarboxamide), Orthosulfamuron (2-[[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]amino]-N,N-dimethylbenzamide), Oxasulfuron (3-oxetanyl 2-[[[[(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate), Primisulfuron-methyl (methyl 2-[[[[[4,6-bis(trifluoromethoxy)-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]benzoate), Prosulfuron (N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]-2-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)benzenesulfonamide), Pyrazosulfuron ethyl (ethyl 5-[[[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate), Rimsulfuron (N-[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]-3- (ethylsulfonyl)-2-pyridinesulfonamide), Sulfometuron methyl (methyl 2-[[[[(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-benzoate), Sulfosulfuron (N-[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]-2-(ethylsulfonyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-sulfonamide), Thifensulfuron-methyl (methyl 3-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]amino]sulfonyl]-2-thiophenecarboxylate), Triasulfuron (2-(2-chloroethoxy)-N-[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]benzenesulfonamide), Tribenuron methyl (methyl 2-[[[[N-(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-N-methylamino]carbonyl]amino]-sulfonyl]benzoate), Trifloxysulfuron (N-[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]-3-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-2-pyridinesulfonamide), Triflusulfuron methyl (methyl 2-[[[[[4-dimethylamino)-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]amino]carbonyl]amino]-sulfonyl]-3-methylbenzoate) and Tritosulfuron (N-[[[4-methoxy-6-(trifluoromethyl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]amino]carbonyl]-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonamide).

[0038] Other sulfonylureas described in the art (e.g., propyrisulfuron: 2-chloro-N-[[(4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]carbonyl]-6-propylimidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine-3-sulfonamide) (e.g., WO 2014 / 018410 A1 (Dow Agrosciences); WO 2012 / 175899 A1 (Syngenta Ltd.)) can also be used in the present invention.

[0039] Preferred salts of the above-mentioned sulfonylureas include their sodium salts and their potassium salts.

[0040] At least one sulfonylurea is preferably included in the liquid composition of the present invention in an amount of at least 0.1 wt.%, based on the total weight of the liquid composition. More preferably, the sulfonylurea is included in an amount of at least 0.2 wt.%, at least 0.5 wt.%, at least 0.7 wt.%, at least 1 wt.%, or at least 2 wt.%. Increasing the amount of sulfonylurea It has been found that adding at least one sulfonylurea can improve its chemical stability. The at least one sulfonylurea is present in an amount of 10% by weight or less, preferably 8% by weight or less, 6% by weight or less, 5% by weight or less, 3% by weight or less, or 2% by weight or less. Reducing the amount of sulfonylurea allows it to be combined with other less active ingredients that must be present in relatively larger amounts. Any of the preferred lower weight % limits for the amount of sulfonylurea can be combined with any of the preferred lower weight % limits to define additional suitable weight % ranges for the present invention. By way of example, further exemplary ranges for the amount of at least one sulfonylurea in the liquid composition include 0.1-10% by weight, 0.5-10% by weight, 1-10% by weight, 2-10% by weight, 0.1-8% by weight, 0.1-5% by weight, 0.1-3% by weight, 0.1-2% by weight, 0.5-3% by weight, and 0.5-2% by weight.

[0041] The composition may contain more than one sulfonylurea herbicide, and in this case, at least one sulfonylurea is present in the amount of 10% by weight or less, based on the liquid composition, preferably in the amount described in the preceding paragraph.The additional sulfonylurea herbicide in the composition may be present in any practical amount.When the liquid composition contains more than one sulfonylurea herbicide, the total amount of sulfonylurea herbicide in the liquid composition is preferably 30% by weight or less.More preferably, the total amount of sulfonylurea herbicide in the liquid composition is 25% by weight or less, 20% by weight or less, or 10% by weight or less. The total amount of sulfonylurea herbicide in the liquid composition can be 0.1 to 30% by weight, 0.1 to 25% by weight, 0.1 to 20% by weight, 0.1 to 10% by weight, 0.5 to 30% by weight, 1 to 20% by weight, 2 to 10% by weight, 0.1 to 8% by weight, 0.1 to 5% by weight, 0.1 to 3% by weight, 0.1 to 2% by weight, 0.5 to 3% by weight, and 0.5 to 2% by weight.

[0042] When the sulfonylurea is used in a modified form, such as a salt, ester or other form thereof, the weight percent amounts stated herein refer to the weight of the modified sulfonylurea.

[0043] When the liquid composition is an oil solution of sulfonylurea, the sulfonylurea present in an amount of 10 wt.% or less preferably has a particle size (D50) of at least 100 nm or more, at least 200 nm or more, at least 500 nm or more, at least 1 μm or more, at least 2 μm or more, or at least 3 μm or more, because particle sizes smaller than this may generate excessive heat during grinding, which may potentially decompose the sulfonylurea. Preferably, the sulfonylurea has a particle size (D50) of 30 μm or less, 15 μm or less, 10 μm or less, 7 μm or less, 5 μm or less, 3 μm or less, 1 μm or less, or 500 nm or less. Any of the preferred lower limits of the particle size of the sulfonylurea can be combined with any of the preferred upper limits to define further suitable particle size ranges for the present invention. By way of example, further exemplary ranges of particle size (D50) for sulfonylureas include 0.1-30 μm, 0.2-15 μm, 0.5-10 μm, 0.1-0.5 μm, 0.2-1 μm, 0.5-3 μm, 1-15 μm, 1-10 μm, 1-7 μm, 2-15 μm, 2-10 μm, 2-7 μm, 3-15 μm, 3-10 μm, and 3-7 μm. D50 refers to the volume median particle size and can be determined by laser light scattering using the method described in CIPAC MT187.

[0044] As discussed above, the liquid compositions of the present invention may contain more than one sulfonylurea herbicide compound. The liquid compositions may contain any combination of the sulfonylureas disclosed herein. For example, the liquid compositions may contain 10% by weight or less of the sulfonylurea herbicide compound. The liquid composition may contain tribenuron methyl and any other sulfonylurea described herein in an amount of 10% by weight or less; the liquid composition may contain metsulfuron methyl and any other sulfonylurea described herein in an amount of 10% by weight or less; the liquid composition may contain nicosulfuron and any other sulfonylurea described herein in an amount of 10% by weight or less; the liquid composition may contain iodosulfuron and any other sulfonylurea described herein in an amount of 10% by weight or less; or the liquid composition may contain halosulfuron methyl and any other sulfonylurea described herein in an amount of 10% by weight or less.Further exemplary combinations of sulfonylureas for use in the present invention include amidosulfuron and iofensulfuron (optionally as the sodium salt); nicosulfuron and rimsulfuron; nicosulfuron and thifensulfuron methyl; nicosulfuron and prosulfuron; metsulfuron methyl and iodosulfuron methyl (optionally as the sodium salt); metsulfuron methyl and sulfosulfuron; metsulfuron methyl and thifensulfuron methyl; metsulfuron methyl and bensulfuron methyl; metsulfuron methyl and chlorsulfuron; metsulfuron methyl and chlorimuron ethyl; metsulfuron methyl and tribenuron methyl; tribenuron methyl and bensulfuron methyl; tribenuron methyl and thifensulfuron methyl; metsulfuron methyl, tribenuron methyl and thifensulfuron methyl; tribenuron methyl and chlorimuron ethyl; tribenuron methyl and meso Examples include sulfuron (optionally as mesosulfuron-methyl); tribenuron-methyl and iodosulfuron-methyl (optionally as the sodium salt); iodosulfuron-methyl (optionally as the sodium salt) and mesosulfuron; iodosulfuron-methyl (optionally as the sodium salt) and mesosulfuron-methyl; iodosulfuron-methyl (optionally as the sodium salt) and amidosulfuron; iodosulfuron-methyl (optionally as the sodium salt) and foramsulfuron; iofensulfuron (optionally as the sodium salt) and iodosulfuron; mesosulfuron (and / or as the methyl ester) and iodosulfuron-methyl; foramsulfuron and iodosulfuron-methyl (optionally as the sodium salt); rimsulfuron and thifensulfuron; bensulfuron-methyl and thifensulfuron-methyl; thifensulfuron-methyl and chlorimuron-ethyl. In the above combinations, the first-mentioned sulfonylurea herbicide for any given combination is present in an amount of 10% by weight or less based on the weight of the liquid composition.Alternatively, in the above combinations, the second-mentioned sulfonylurea herbicide is present in an amount of 10 wt% or less based on the weight of the liquid composition. In the case of a triple combination, the third-mentioned sulfonylurea herbicide may be present in an amount of 10 wt% or less based on the weight of the liquid composition. In yet further embodiments, each sulfonylurea herbicide in the above-listed combinations is present in an amount of 10 wt% or less based on the weight of the liquid composition.

[0045] Finally, while the liquid compositions of the present invention may contain one or more of the sulfonylureas disclosed herein, it is also contemplated that the present invention extends to liquid compositions from which one or more of the sulfonylureas disclosed herein are excluded. In other words, if the definition of a liquid composition disclosed herein, including the liquid compositions defined in the appended claims, does not explicitly refer to a specific sulfonylurea, the present invention extends to liquid compositions from which that specific sulfonylurea is excluded, but from which at least one sulfonylurea is present in the liquid composition. As an example, in the case of any of the liquid compositions defined herein that do not explicitly indicate the presence of nicosulfuron and / or iodosulfuron, the present invention extends to that liquid composition from which nicosulfuron and / or iodosulfuron are explicitly excluded.

[0046] 4.5 Surfactants The total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition of the present invention is preferably 5% by weight or more, and may be 7.5% by weight or more, 10% by weight or more, 12.5% ​​by weight or more, 15% by weight or more, 17.5% by weight or more, or 20% by weight or more. The total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition of the present invention is preferably 30% by weight or less, and may be 25% by weight or less, 20% by weight or less, 17.5% by weight or less, or 15% by weight or less. Preferred ranges for the total amount of surfactant include any of the lower limits of 5% by weight or more, 7.5% by weight or more, 10% by weight or more, 12.5% ​​by weight or more, or 15% by weight or more, combined with upper limits of 30% by weight or less, 25% by weight or less, or 20% by weight or less. For example, preferred ranges for the total amount of surfactant in a liquid composition include 5-30 wt%, 5-20 wt%, 7.5-30 wt%, 7.5-20 wt%, 10-30 wt%, 10-25 wt%, 10-20 wt%, 10-17.5 wt%, 10-15 wt%, 12.5-30 wt%, 12.5-25 wt%, 12.5-20 wt%, 12.5-17.5 wt%, 15-30 wt%, 15-25 wt%, and 15-20 wt%. Of note, commercial surfactants are sometimes provided in a liquid carrier (e.g., organic solvent). When such surfactants are used to prepare the liquid formulations of the present invention, the actual amount of surfactant (i.e., not including the carrier or any other non-surfactant components) should be considered when calculating the total amount of surfactant in the composition.

[0047] At least 80% by weight and up to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is made up of surfactants selected from the surfactant classes listed below: Class 1 Alkyl End-Capped Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates Class 2 Alkylbenzenesulfonates with non-nitrogen-containing counterions; Class 3 Metallic stearates; Class 4 Fatty Acid-Polyalkylene Glycol ABA-Block Copolymer Class 5 fatty alcohol alkoxylates; Class 6 fatty acid alkoxylates; Class 7 Ethoxylated Castor Oil; Class 8 Sorbitan esters; Class 9 Ethoxylated sorbitan esters; Class 10 EO / PO / EO block copolymer; Class 11 Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates; Class 12 Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate sulfate esters with non-nitrogen-containing counterions; Class 13 Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphate esters with non-nitrogen-containing counterions; and Class 14 Ethoxylated alkyl phosphate esters with non-nitrogen-containing counterions.

[0048] The present inventors have discovered that the stability of sulfonylurea herbicides is significantly improved when at least 80% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is composed of surfactants from surfactant classes 1 to 14 listed above. The present invention allows for the presence of other surfactants, albeit in relatively small amounts (up to 20% by weight of the total amount of surfactants) compared to the total amount of surfactants from surfactant classes 1 to 14. Allowing for small amounts of other surfactants provides increased flexibility to tailor the overall surfactant properties within the liquid composition to the desired needs. Thus, the surfactant classes listed above provide sufficient flexibility to tailor the overall surfactant properties of the liquid composition for commercial and practical purposes. Therefore, in terms of further improving the stability of sulfonylureas, the liquid Preferably, at least 85% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the herbicidal composition is made up of surfactants from the surfactant classes listed above, more preferably at least 90% by weight, even more preferably at least 95% by weight, and even more preferably 99% by weight is made up of surfactants from the surfactant classes listed above, and in other embodiments, all of the surfactants in the liquid herbicidal composition are selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14 listed above.

[0049] The liquid composition includes at least two different classes of surfactants 1-14, each of which accounts for at least 10% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. This ensures that measurable amounts of surfactants from two different surfactant classes are present in the liquid composition. The inventors have discovered that combining two or more surfactant classes 1-14 allows for a surfactant system with superior surfactant properties that can be tailored as needed, while improving the stability of sulfonylurea herbicides. For example, the liquid composition may include a surfactant with superior dispersing properties (e.g., from classes 1-4) and a surfactant with superior emulsifying properties (e.g., from classes 5-14), thereby providing a composition with superior dispersing and emulsifying properties. As an example, the liquid composition may include 70% by weight of a surfactant from class 1 and 10% by weight of a surfactant from class 8, based on the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this example, 80 wt.% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14 (in this example, the remaining 20 wt.% of surfactants may be surfactants that do not fall into classes 1-14, or surfactants that fall into classes 1-14, or a mixture of both). In this example, at least two different surfactant classes 1-14 each account for at least 10 wt.% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition (class 1 accounts for 70 wt.% and class 8 accounts for 10 wt.%).

[0050] The liquid composition may contain three surfactants from three different surfactant classes 1-14, four surfactants from four different surfactant classes 1-14, or five surfactants from five different surfactant classes 1-14, etc. In each of these cases, the combined amount of surfactants from surfactant classes 1-14 is 80% or more by weight of the total surfactant content, with at least two surfactant classes (or optionally all three, four, five, etc.) separately accounting for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the composition. As an example, the liquid composition may contain 70% by weight of a surfactant from Class 1, 10% by weight of a surfactant from Class 8, and 5% by weight of a surfactant from Class 10, based on the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this case, 85% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14, and at least two different surfactant classes 1-14 account for at least 10% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition (i.e., Class 1 accounts for 70% by weight and Class 8 accounts for 10% by weight). In this example, surfactant class 10 does not account for at least 10% by weight of the total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition (it accounts for 5% by weight), but this is acceptable because at least two other surfactant classes (i.e., class 1 and class 8) each account for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition. In one embodiment of the invention, the liquid composition may contain three surfactants from three different surfactant classes 1-14, four surfactants from four different surfactant classes 1-14, or five surfactants from five different surfactant classes 1-14, where each of the three, four, or five surfactant classes accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition.

[0051] The liquid composition may contain more than one surfactant per surfactant class. In this case, each surfactant is considered relative to the total amount of surfactant in the composition, but the combined amount of surfactants in a particular class is considered relative to the contribution of that surfactant class to the total amount of surfactant in the composition. As an example, a liquid composition may contain three surfactants from two different classes, i.e., 70% by weight of a first surfactant from Class 1, 5% by weight of a second surfactant from Class 8, and 5% by weight of a third surfactant, also from Class 8. In this example, 80% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14, with at least two different surfactant classes 1-14 each accounting for at least 10% by weight of the total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition (i.e., when the total amount of surfactants from Class 8 is considered, Class 1 accounts for 70% by weight; Class 8 accounts for 10% by weight).

[0052] As noted above, surfactants from classes 1-4 tend to have excellent dispersing properties, whereas surfactants from classes 5-14 tend to have excellent emulsifying properties. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 accounts for at least 10% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and at least one of surfactant classes 5-14 accounts for at least 10% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14.

[0053] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid composition in which at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 accounts for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and at least one of surfactant classes 5-14 accounts for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14; surfactant classes 1-4 together account for 30-90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5-14 together account for 10-70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 1-4 together preferably account for 40-90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5-14 each together account for 10-60% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. More preferably, surfactant classes 1-4 collectively account for 50-90 wt% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5-14 each collectively account for 10-50 wt% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. Even more preferably, surfactant classes 1-4 collectively account for 60-90 wt% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5-14 each collectively account for 10-40 wt% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. Even more preferably, surfactant classes 1-4 collectively account for 70-90 wt% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5-14 each collectively account for 10-30 wt% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. Surfactant classes 1-4 may even collectively account for 80-90 wt% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5-14 each collectively account for 10-20 wt% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In each of the preferred embodiments described above, 80% to 100% by weight, preferably 90% to 100% by weight, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14. The inventors have found that as the content of surfactants from classes 1 to 4 increases, the stabilization of sulfonylureas improves.

[0054] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a liquid composition comprising at least one surfactant from surfactant classes 5 to 14 comprising 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14. The present invention relates to a liquid composition in which surfactant class 1 accounts for 30-90 wt% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5-14, in total, account for 10-70 wt% or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that surfactant classes 5-14 are used in combination. In this embodiment, surfactant class 1 preferably accounts for 40-90 wt%, more preferably 50-90 wt%, even more preferably 60-90 wt%, even more preferably 70-90 wt%, and even up to 80-90 wt%, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5-14 account for 10-60 wt%, 10-50 wt%, 10-40 wt%, 10-30 wt%, and 10-20 wt%, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0055] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid composition wherein at least one of surfactant classes 5-14 accounts for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and wherein surfactant class 2 accounts for 30-90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14; and surfactant classes 5-14 collectively account for 10-70% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant class 2 preferably accounts for 40-90 wt.%, more preferably 50-90 wt.%, even more preferably 60-90 wt.%, even more preferably 70-90 wt.%, and even up to 80-90 wt.%, while surfactant classes 5-14 account for, respectively, 10-60 wt.%, 10-50 wt.%, 10-40 wt.%, 10-30 wt.%, and 10-20 wt.%, of the total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition.

[0056] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid composition wherein at least one of surfactant classes 5-14 accounts for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and wherein surfactant class 3 accounts for 30-90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14; and surfactant classes 5-14 collectively account for 10-70% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant class 3 preferably accounts for 40-90 wt.%, more preferably 50-90 wt.%, even more preferably 60-90 wt.%, even more preferably 70-90 wt.%, and even up to 80-90 wt.%, while surfactant classes 5-14 account for, respectively, 10-60 wt.%, 10-50 wt.%, 10-40 wt.%, 10-30 wt.%, and 10-20 wt.%, of the total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition.

[0057] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid composition wherein at least one of surfactant classes 5-14 accounts for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and wherein surfactant class 4 accounts for 30-90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14; and surfactant classes 5-14 collectively account for 10-70% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant class 4 preferably accounts for 40-90 wt.%, more preferably 50-90 wt.%, even more preferably 60-90 wt.%, even more preferably 70-90 wt.%, and even up to 80-90 wt.%, while surfactant classes 5-14 account for, respectively, 10-60 wt.%, 10-50 wt.%, 10-40 wt.%, 10-30 wt.%, and 10-20 wt.%, of the total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition.

[0058] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a surfactant comprising at least one of surfactant classes 1-4. The present invention relates to a liquid composition in which surfactant class 5 accounts for 10-70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that surfactant classes 1-14 account for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14. In this embodiment, surfactant class 5 preferably accounts for 10-60% by weight, 10-50% by weight, 10-40% by weight, 10-30% by weight, or 10-20% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 1-4 account for 40-90% by weight, 50-90% by weight, 60-90% by weight, 70-90% by weight, or 80-90% by weight, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0059] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid composition in which surfactant class 6 accounts for 10-70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14. In this embodiment, surfactant class 6 preferably accounts for 10-60% by weight, 10-50% by weight, 10-40% by weight, 10-30% by weight, or 10-20% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 1-4, in total, account for 40-90% by weight, 50-90% by weight, 60-90% by weight, 70-90% by weight, or 80-90% by weight, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0060] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid composition in which surfactant class 7 accounts for 10-70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14. In this embodiment, surfactant class 7 preferably accounts for 10-60% by weight, 10-50% by weight, 10-40% by weight, 10-30% by weight, or 10-20% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 1-4, in total, account for 40-90% by weight, 50-90% by weight, 60-90% by weight, 70-90% by weight, or 80-90% by weight, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0061] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid composition in which surfactant class 8 accounts for 10-70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14. In this embodiment, surfactant class 8 preferably accounts for 10-60% by weight, 10-50% by weight, 10-40% by weight, 10-30% by weight, or 10-20% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 1-4, in total, account for 40-90% by weight, 50-90% by weight, 60-90% by weight, 70-90% by weight, or 80-90% by weight, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0062] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a liquid composition comprising at least one surfactant from surfactant classes 1 to 4 comprising 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and wherein 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14. and surfactant classes 1-4, in total, account for 30-90 wt.% or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that surfactant class 9 accounts for 10-70 wt.% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant class 9 preferably accounts for 10-60 wt.%, 10-50 wt.%, 10-40 wt.%, 10-30 wt.%, or 10-20 wt.% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 1-4, in total, account for 40-90 wt.%, 50-90 wt.%, 60-90 wt.%, 70-90 wt.%, or 80-90 wt.%, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0063] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid composition in which surfactant class 10 accounts for 10-70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14; and surfactant classes 1-4, collectively, account for 30-90% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant class 10 preferably accounts for 10-60%, 10-50%, 10-40%, 10-30%, or 10-20% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 1-4, collectively, account for 40-90%, 50-90%, 60-90%, 70-90%, or 80-90% by weight, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0064] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid composition in which surfactant class 11 accounts for 10-70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14. In this embodiment, surfactant class 11 preferably accounts for 10-60% by weight, 10-50% by weight, 10-40% by weight, 10-30% by weight, or 10-20% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 1-4, in total, account for 40-90% by weight, 50-90% by weight, 60-90% by weight, 70-90% by weight, or 80-90% by weight, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0065] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid composition in which surfactant class 12 accounts for 10-70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14; and surfactant classes 1-4, collectively, account for 30-90% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant class 12 preferably accounts for 10-60%, 10-50%, 10-40%, 10-30%, or 10-20% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 1-4, collectively, account for 40-90%, 50-90%, 60-90%, 70-90%, or 80-90% by weight, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0066] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a liquid composition comprising surfactant class 13 comprising 10-70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 comprises 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80% by weight to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14; surfactant class 13 comprising 10-70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; surfactant classes 1-4 comprising 10-70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 comprises 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80% by weight to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14; In this embodiment, surfactant class 13 preferably accounts for 10-60 wt%, 10-50 wt%, 10-40 wt%, 10-30 wt%, or 10-20 wt% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 1-4 in total account for 40-90 wt%, 50-90 wt%, 60-90 wt%, 70-90 wt%, or 80-90 wt%, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0067] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a liquid composition in which at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 accounts for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-14, with surfactant class 14 accounting for 10-70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; and surfactant classes 1-4, collectively, accounting for 30-90% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant class 14 preferably accounts for 10-60%, 10-50%, 10-40%, 10-30%, or 10-20% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 1-4, collectively, account for 40-90%, 50-90%, 60-90%, 70-90%, or 80-90% by weight, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0068] The surfactant classes of the present invention listed above will now be described in more detail, and representative examples of each will be provided. With respect to any of the embodiments described thus far, it will be understood that the present invention also relates to embodiments in which the surfactant classes are as described in detail below.

[0069] Class 1. Alkyl-end-capped fatty alcohol alkoxylates Class 1 surfactants are those commonly known in the art as alkyl end-capped fatty alcohol alkoxylates, preferably C1-C6-alkyl end-capped fatty alcohol alkoxylates. In a preferred embodiment, and for all embodiments described herein, the alkyl end-capped fatty alcohol alkoxylates can be represented by formula (I): R 1 -(EO) x (PO) y (BO) z -OR 2 Formula (I) During the ceremony, R 1is a linear or branched C8 to C24 alkyl group, preferably a linear or branched C12 to C15 alkyl group; EO, PO, and BO represent ethoxy (OC2H4), propoxy (OC3H6), and butoxy (OC4H8) groups, respectively, and the EO, PO, and BO groups are arranged randomly or in a block structure; the subscripts x, y, and z are each independently an integer from 0 to 50, provided that the sum of x+y+z is from 1 to 150, preferably from 3 to 50; R 2 is a C1 to C6 alkyl group, preferably methyl.

[0070] In one embodiment, R 1 , EO, PO, BO and R 2 is as described above for formula (I), except that x is 0 to 50, y is 0 to 20, and z is 0 to 15, provided that the sum of x+y+z is 1 to 95, preferably 3 to 30. In another embodiment, R 1 is a linear C12-C15 alkyl group, x is 1-50, preferably 3-15, both y and z are 0, and EO, PO, BO and R 2 is as described above for formula (I). In another embodiment, R 1 is a linear or branched C12-C15 alkyl group, EO, PO, and BO are as described above with respect to formula (I), x is 3 to 15, y is 0 to 4, z is 0, the sum of x+y+z is 3 to 15, and R 2 is a C1 to C3 alkyl group, preferably is methyl. In another embodiment, R 1 is a linear C12-C15 alkyl group, EO, PO, and BO are as described above with respect to formula (I), x is 3 to 15, y and z are both 0, and R 2 is a C1-C3 alkyl group, preferably methyl. 1is a linear C12-C15 alkyl group, EO, PO, and BO are as described above with respect to formula (I), x is 6 to 15, y and z are both 0, and R 2 is methyl. Examples of alkyl end-capped fatty alcohol alkoxylates that can be used include the XM products from Clariant, such as isotridecyl alcohol polyglycol ethers with 6EO (Genapol® XM060) or 15EO (Genapol® XM060). Examples include the methyl ether of methyl ether with methyl ether (registered trademark) XM0150.

[0071] Class 2. Alkylbenzene sulfonates with non-nitrogen-containing counterions Class 2 surfactants are generally known in the art as alkylbenzene sulfonates. The sulfonic acid group is associated with a counterion. The inventors have found that alkylbenzene sulfonates with nitrogen-containing counterions provide poorer stabilization of sulfonylureas. Therefore, Class 2 surfactants are alkylbenzene sulfonates whose counterions do not contain nitrogen. In a preferred embodiment, and for all embodiments described herein, the alkylbenzene sulfonate can be represented by formula (II): [ka] During the ceremony, R 1 is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R 2 is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R 3 is an alkyl group having 8 to 40 carbon atoms, preferably in the para position relative to the SO3M group; M is a monovalent or divalent cation, with the proviso that M does not contain a nitrogen atom.

[0072] In one embodiment, R 1 and R 2are independently hydrogen or methyl, and R 3 and M is as defined above with respect to formula (II). In another embodiment, R 1 and R 2 are hydrogen and R 3 and M is as defined above with respect to formula (II). In another embodiment, R 1 and R 2 are hydrogen and R 3 and M are as defined above with respect to formula (II), and R is in the para position relative to the SOM group. 1 and R 2 are independently hydrogen or methyl, and R 3 is a linear or branched C8-C16 alkyl group, and M is as defined above with respect to formula (II). 1 , R 2 and R 3 is as defined in formula (II) or any of the preceding embodiments, and M is an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth metal ion, or a Zn ion. In formula (II) or any of the preceding embodiments, R 3 may be attached to the benzene ring at any carbon atom of the alkyl chain. 3 is a linear alkyl group, such that alkylbenzene sulfonate is linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (often abbreviated in the industry as LAS). 3 Also, branched alkylbenzene sulfonates are branched alkylbenzene sulfonates (often abbreviated as BAS in the industry). It may be a branched alkyl group. In Formula (II) or any of the foregoing embodiments, the preferred alkali metal for M is lithium, sodium, or potassium, and the preferred alkaline earth metal for M is calcium or magnesium. In Formula (II) or any of the foregoing embodiments, M is preferably sodium or calcium. In a preferred embodiment, the alkylbenzenesulfonate is a sodium or calcium salt of alkylbenzenesulfonate, in which case R 1 and R 2 are both H and R 3 is a C10-C14 alkyl group. In this embodiment, R 3 is more preferably in the para position relative to the SO3M group. In this embodiment, it is more preferred that the C10-C14 alkyl group is a linear C10, linear C11, linear C12, linear C13, or linear C14 alkyl group.

[0073] Examples of suitable commercial alkylbenzene sulfonates include, but are not limited to, Ninate® 411, Bio-Soft® N-411, Bio-Soft® 411-E, Bio-Soft® D-40, Bio-Soft® D-62-L, Bio-Soft® N-300, Ninate® 60E, Ninate® 60L, Ninate® 70B, and Ninate® 401-A (all from Stepan; Northfield, Illinois); Nansa® EVM50 / NS, Nansa® EVM50 / NS (all from Stepan; Northfield, Illinois); Nansa® EVM62 / H, Nansa® EVM62 / N, Nansa® EVM62 / S, Nansa® EVM63 / B, Nansa® EVM70 / B, Nansa® EVM70 / 13, Nansa® EVM70 / 2E, Nansa® YS94, Nansa® TS50 / F, and Nansa® AS / 1 (all from Huntsman International LLC; The Woodlands, TX); Calsogen® EH, Calsogen® 4814, Phenylsulfonat CA, Phenylsulfonat CA62, and Phenylsulfonat CAL (all from Clariant; Charlotte, NC). The most preferred alkylbenzene sulfonates are the sodium or calcium salts of linear dodecylbenzene sulfonate, in particular Rhodacal® 70 / B (calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate), Rhodacal® 60 / BE (calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) from Rhodia GmbH (formerly Rhone-Poulenc), Phenylsulfonate CA100 (calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) from Clariant GmbH, Calcium) or Huntsman's Nansa® EVM70 / 2E (linear calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate), Nansa® EVM40 / 2ND (branched alkylbenzene sulfonate), and Nansa® EVM40 / 2NDL (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate).

[0074] Class 3. Metal stearates Class 3 surfactants are commonly known in the art as metal stearates (or metal stearates). In preferred embodiments, and for all embodiments described herein, the metal stearate can be sodium stearate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, or aluminum stearate.

[0075] Class 4. Fatty acid-polyalkylene glycol ABA-block copolymer Class 4 surfactants are ABA-block copolymers of fatty acids and polyalkylene glycols. In a preferred embodiment, and for all embodiments described herein, the ABA-block copolymers may have the general formula A-COO-B-OOC-A, where B is a divalent residue of a water-soluble polyalkylene glycol and A is a residue of a fatty acid having a molecular weight of at least 500. In this regard, ABA-block copolymers are those having the general formula A-COO-B-OOC-A, where A and B are as defined below.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment, A is represented by formula (IV-A): [ka] During the ceremony, R is hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon group; R1 is hydrogen or a monovalent C1 to C24 hydrocarbon group, preferably a C1 to C24 alkyl group; R2 is a divalent C1 to C24 hydrocarbon group, preferably a C1 to C24 alkyl group; n is zero or one; p is an integer of 0 to 200.

[0077] The units in brackets in the above formula may all be the same or may be different with respect to R1, R2 and n. The hydrocarbons R, R1 and R2 may be linear or branched.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, B is a divalent residue of a water-soluble polyalkylene glycol having a molecular weight of at least 500 and having the formula (IV-B): [ka] During the ceremony, R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C3 alkyl group; q is an integer of 10 to 500.

[0079] The repeat units in polymer component B may all be the same or may be different with respect to R. Preferably, in a block copolymer of formula A-COO-B-OOC-A, component B is derived from polyethylene glycol and component A is derived from stearic acid, such as polyhydroxystearic acid, preferably poly(12-hydroxy-stearic acid).

[0080] Therefore, R is a linear C derived from stearic acid. 17 H 35 The unit containing R1 and R2 may be a group, and the unit containing R1 and R2 may be derived from 12-hydroxy-stearic acid. p, in this case, preferably has a value of at least 2. Preferably, q may have a value of 20 to 60, more preferably a value of greater than 23. The weight ratio of the combined component A to component B (A:B) is preferably 9: It is in the range of 1 to 1:9.

[0081] An example of a commercially available ABA type polymeric surfactant as described above is Arlacel P135, which is a PEG 30 dipolyhydroxystearate. Another similar surfactant for use in the present invention is Atlox 4912. Both Atracel P135 and Atrox 4912 are block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polyhydroxystearic acid (ABA) having a molecular weight of approximately 5000 and are commercially available from Croda. Another example of a mer surfactant is the commercial surfactant Termul™ 2510 (Huntsman).

[0082] Class 5. Fatty alcohol alkoxylates Class 5 surfactants are those commonly known in the art as fatty alcohol alkoxylates. In a preferred embodiment, and for all embodiments described herein, the fatty alcohol alkoxylates can be represented by formula (V): R 1 -(EO) x (PO) y (BO) z -OH formula (V) During the ceremony, R 1 is a linear or branched C8 to C24 alkyl group, preferably a linear or branched C12 to C15 alkyl group; EO, PO, and BO represent ethoxy (OC2H4), propoxy (OC3H6), and butoxy (OC4H8) groups, respectively, and the EO, PO, and BO groups are arranged randomly or in a block structure; The subscripts x, y, and z are each independently an integer of 0 to 50, provided that the sum of x+y+z is 1 to 150, and preferably 3 to 50.

[0083] In one embodiment, R 1 , EO, PO, and BO are as described above for formula (V), except that x is 0 to 50, y is 0 to 20, and z is 0 to 15, provided that the sum of x+y+z is 1 to 95, preferably 3 to 30. In another embodiment, R 1 is a linear C12-C15 alkyl group, x is 1 to 50, preferably 3 to 15, y and z are both 0, and EO, PO, and BO are as described above with respect to formula (V). 1 is a linear or branched C12-C15 alkyl group, EO, PO, and BO are as described above for formula (V), x is 3 to 15, y is 0 to 4, z is 0, and the sum of x+y+z is 3 to 15. In another embodiment, R 1is a linear C12-C15 alkyl group, EO, PO, and BO are as described above with respect to formula (V), x is 3 to 15, and both y and z are 0. In another embodiment, R 1 is a linear C12-C15 alkyl group, EO, PO, and BO are as described above with respect to formula (V), x is 6-15, and both y and z are 0.

[0084] Examples of fatty alcohol alkoxylates that can be used include the Genapol® C, EP, LA, O, OA, OX, T, UD, and X products from Clariant, such as isotridecyl alcohol polyglycol ether with 3EO (Genapol® X030), 5EO (Genapol® X050), 6EO (Genapol® X060; 8EO (Genapol® X080), 9EO (Genapol® X090), 10EO (Genapol® X100), 15EO (Genapol® X150); or C12-C15 alkoxylated ether with 8EO and 4PO (Genapol® EP2584), and Synperonic® A products from Croda, such as 3EO (Synperonic® A3), 7EO (Synperonic® A7), 11EO (Synperonic® A8), 12EO (Synperonic® A9), 15EO (Synperonic® A10), 15EO (Synperonic® A11), 15EO (Synperonic® A12), 15EO (Synperonic® A13), 15EO (Synperonic® A14), 15EO (Synperonic® A15), 15EO (Synperonic® A16), 15EO (Synperonic® A17), 15EO (Synperonic® A18), 15EO (Synperonic® A19 ... C12-C15 polyglycol ethers with O (Synperonic® A11), Plurafac® and Lutensol® A, AT, ON, and TO products from BASF, Agnique® FOH products from Cognis, Ethylan® from Akzo-Nobel products from Huntsman, and Empilan® products from Termul® Tergitol™ 5429 (from Huntsman International); Tergitol™ 15-S-3, Tergitol™ 15-S-7, Tergitol™ 15-S-9, Tergitol™ 15-S-12, Tergitol™ 15-S-15, Tergitol™ 15-S-20, Tergitol™ 15-S-30, and Tergitol™ 15-S-40 (all from The Dow Chemical Co.). Other examples include polyoxyalkylenated C2-C18 aliphatic alcohols containing 2 to 50 oxyalkylene (oxyethylene and / or oxypropylene) units, particularly those having 12 (average) carbon atoms or 18 (average) carbon atoms, such as Antarox B12DF, Antarox FM33, and Antarox FM43. Interlocks FM63 and Interlocks V74, Rhodasurf ID0 60, Rhodasurf ID070 and Rhodasurf LA42 (from Rhodia), as well as polyoxyalkylenated C8 to C22 fatty alcohols containing 1 to 25 oxyalkylene (oxyethylene or oxypropylene) units.

[0085] Class 6. Fatty acid alkoxylates Class 6 surfactants are commonly known in the art as fatty acid alkoxylates. In a preferred embodiment, and for all embodiments described herein, the fatty acid alkoxylates can be represented by formula (VI): R 1 -COO-(EO) x (PO) y (BO) z -R 2 Formula (VI) During the ceremony, R 1 is a linear or branched C7 to C23 alkyl group, preferably a linear or branched C11 to C17 alkyl group; EO, PO, and BO represent ethoxy (OC2H4), propoxy (OC3H6), and butoxy (OC4H8) groups, respectively, and the EO, PO, and BO groups are arranged randomly or in a block structure; the subscripts x, y, and z are each independently an integer from 0 to 50, provided that the sum of x+y+z is from 1 to 150, preferably from 3 to 50; R 2 is hydrogen (i.e., mono fatty acid alkoxylates) or C(=O)R 3 (i.e., difatty acid alkoxylates), and R 3 is a linear or branched C7 to C23 alkyl group, preferably a linear or branched C11 to C17 alkyl group.

[0086] In one embodiment, R 1 , EO, PO, BO and R 2 is as described above for formula (VI), except that x is 0 to 50, y is 0 to 20, and z is 0 to 15, provided that the sum of x+y+z is 1 to 95, preferably 3 to 30. In another embodiment, R 1 is a linear C11-C17 alkyl group, x is 1-50, preferably 3-15, both y and z are 0, and EO, PO, BO and R 2 is as described above with respect to formula (VI). In another embodiment, R 1 is a linear or branched C11-C17 alkyl group, EO, PO, and BO are as described above with respect to formula (VI), x is 3 to 15, y is 0 to 4, z is 0, the sum of x+y+z is 3 to 15, and R 2 is H or C(=O)R 3 and R 3 is a C11 to C17 alkyl group. 1 is a linear C11-C117 alkyl group, EO, PO, and BO are as described above with respect to formula (VI), x is 3 to 15, y and z are both 0, and R 2 is H or C(=O)R 3 and R3 is a C11 to C17 alkyl group. 1 is a linear C11 to C17 alkyl group, and EO, PO, and BO are groups represented by the formula (V I) as described above, x is 6 to 15, y and z are both 0, and R 2 is H or C(=O)R 3 and R 3 is a C11 to C17 alkyl group.

[0087] Examples of fatty acid alkoxylates that can be used include POE monolaurate, POE dilaurate, POE monooleate, POE dioleate, POE monostearate, POE distearate, POE monoisostearate, POE diisostearate, POE monopalmitate, POE dipalmitate, POE monomyristate, POE dimyristate, POE di-2-ethylhexoate, and POE dierucate, where POE represents a degree of polyoxyethylene from 3 to 15. In one example, the surfactant is POE-8 monostearate or POE-8 distearate. Commercial examples include Pegnol 24-O, 14-O, and EDS(S) (each manufactured by Toho Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), Agnike PEG 200ML, 600ML, 200MO, 260MO, 300MO, 400MO, 600MO, 400MS, 660MS, 300DO, 400DO, 600DO, and 200DL (each manufactured by BASF), and Cithrol 4MS, 10MS, 4ML, 6ML, 2DO, and 2DE. , 4DL, and 4DS, as well as Myrj S8 (PEG-8 stearate), Myrj S40 (PEG-40 stearate), Myrj S50 (PEG-50 stearate), or Myrj 59 (PEG-100 stearate) (each manufactured by Croda), Nikkol MYL-10, MYS-10, MYS-45, and MYO-10 (each manufactured by Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.). Nonion L-2, L-4, O-2, O-4, O-6, S-1, S-2, S-4, S-6, S-10, S-15, MM-4, MM-9, IS-2, IS-4, IS-6, DL-4HN, DP-1.5HN, DO-4HN, DS-4HN, DIS-400 and DIS-600 (manufactured by NOF Corporation, respectively), Ethofat O / 15, O / 20 and 6 0, as well as Lionon MO-60, DT-600M, DT-600S and DBH-40 (each manufactured by Lion Corporation).

[0088] Class 7. Ethoxylated castor oil Class 7 surfactants are commonly known in the art as ethoxylates of castor oil. In a preferred embodiment, and for all embodiments described herein, the ethoxylated castor oil surfactants may be represented by formula (VII) or their hydrogenated forms: [ka] During the ceremony, EO is an ethylene oxide unit, each of a, b, and c independently represents an integer from 0 to 300; Each of x, y, and z independently represents an integer of 1 to 300.

[0089] In this context, hydrogenated castor oil is a castor oil of formula (VII) in which some, preferably ≥ 90%, and most preferably all, of the carbon-carbon double bonds contained in the ricinoleic acid residues are hydrogenated. In one embodiment, whether hydrogenated or not, the degree of ethoxylation in formula (VII) is 3 to 600 (i.e., 3≦a+b+c+x+y+z≦600), preferably 3 to 400, more preferably 3 to 200, even more preferably 5 to 60, and even more preferably 10 to 40. In one embodiment of the present invention, whether hydrogenated or not, a, b, and c are all 0, and the degree of ethoxylation is obtained from x+y+z. For example, in this embodiment, a+b+c=0, and the degree of ethoxylation is 3 to 600 (i.e., 3≦x+y+z≦600), preferably 3 to 400, more preferably 3 to 200, even more preferably 5 to 60, and even more preferably 10 to 40.

[0090] Examples of preferred ethoxylated castor oils include PEG-8 castor oil, PEG-9 castor oil, PEG-10 castor oil, PEG-11 castor oil, PEG-15 castor oil, PEG-16 castor oil, PEG-20 castor oil, PEG-25 castor oil, PEG-26 castor oil, PEG-29 castor oil, PEG-44 castor oil, PEG-50 castor oil, PEG-54 castor oil, PEG-55 castor oil, PEG-60 castor oil, and PEG-75 Castor oil, PEG-80 castor oil, PEG-100 castor oil, PEG-200 castor oil, PEG-8 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-10 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-16 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-20 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-25 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-35 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-65 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-80 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-100 hydrogenated castor oil, and PEG-200 hydrogenated castor oil.

[0091] Examples of commercially available ethoxylated castor oils include Etocas 5, Etocas 10 (PEG-10 castor oil), Etocas 29, Etocas 32, Etocas 35, and Etocas 40 (PEG-40 castor oil), all from Croda, Toximul 8240, Toximul 8241, and Toximul 8242 (all from Stepan); Thermur® 1283, Thermur® 1284, Thermur® 1285, Thermur® 2507, Thermur® 3512, and Thermur® 3540 (all from Huntsman International); Emulsogen® EL200, Emulsogen® EL300, Emulsogen® EL400, Emulsogen® EL500, Emulsogen® EL600, Emulsogen® EL700, Emulsogen® EL800, Emulsogen® EL900, Emulsogen® EL1000, Emulsogen® EL1100, Emulsogen® EL1200, Emulsogen® EL1300, Emulsogen® EL1400, Emulsogen® EL1500, Emulsogen® EL1600, Emulsogen® EL1700, Emuls Emulsogen® EL360, Emulsogen® EL400, and Emulsogen® EL540 (all from Clariant); Alkamulus R81, Alkamulus BR, Alkamulus OR / 40, and Alkamulus 14R (all from Rhodia); Sorpol CA30 and Sorpol CA42 from Toho Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.; CO-20TX, CO-40TX, CO-50TX, and CO-60TX from Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.; EMALEX C-20, EMALEX C-30, and EMALEX C-40 from Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd. Examples of commercially available ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oils include Croduret 7, Croduret 25, Croduret 40, Croduret 50, and Croduret 60 from Croda; HCO-20, HCO-30, and HCO-40 from Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.; and EMALEX HC-20 from Nippon Emulsion Co., Ltd.

[0092] Class 8. Sorbitan esters Class 8 surfactants are commonly known in the art as sorbitan esters. In a preferred embodiment, and for all embodiments described herein, the sorbitan ester can be represented by formula (VIII): [ka] During the ceremony, R 1 is a C10 to C18 saturated or unsaturated fatty acid residue (i.e., -(C=O)-C9 to -(C=O)-C17), R2 and R 3 are independently hydrogen or a C10 to C18 saturated or unsaturated fatty acid residue (i.e., -(C=O)-C9 to -(C=O)-C17).

[0093] R 1 , R 2 and R 3 R may be the same or different. 1 , R 2 and R 3 Preferred fatty acid residues of R include capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, myristoleic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid. 2 and R 3 are both hydrogen, and R 1 is a fatty acid residue selected from lauric acid (i.e., the surfactant is sorbitan laurate), stearic acid (i.e., the surfactant is sorbitan stearate), and oleic acid (i.e., the surfactant is sorbitan oleate). In another preferred embodiment, R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are all fatty acid residues selected from lauric acid (i.e., the surfactant is sorbitan trilaurate), stearic acid (i.e., the surfactant is sorbitan tristearate), and oleic acid (i.e., the surfactant is sorbitan trioleate). Examples of commercially available sorbitan esters that can be used for the present invention include Span™ 20, Span™ 40, Span™ 60, Span™ 65, Span™ 80, and Span™ 85 (all from Croda; Edison, NJ).

[0094] Class 9. Ethoxylated sorbitan esters Class 9 surfactants are commonly known in the art as ethoxylated sorbitan esters. In a preferred embodiment, and for all embodiments described herein, the ethoxylated sorbitan ester can be represented by formula (IX): [ka] During the ceremony, EO is an ethylene oxide unit, R 1 is a C10 to C18 saturated or unsaturated fatty acid residue (i.e., -(C=O)-C9 to -(C=O)-C17), R 2 ~R 4 are independently hydrogen or C10 to C18 saturated or unsaturated fats an acid residue (i.e., -(C=O)-C9 to -(C=O)-C17); The degree of ethoxylation is 10 to 40 (ie, 10≦w+x+y+z≦40), preferably 18 to 22, and more preferably 20.

[0095] In a preferred embodiment, w+x+y+z=18 to 22, preferably 20, and R 1 is a C12 to C18 saturated or unsaturated fatty acid residue, and R 2 ~R 4 are all H. In an even more preferred embodiment, w+x+y+z=20 and R 1 is a C18 unsaturated fatty acid residue derived from oleic acid, and R 2 ~R 4 are all H. Preferred examples of ethoxylated sorbitan esters include polyoxyethylene(20) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene(20) sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene(20) sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene(20) sorbitan monooleate, and sorbitan hexaoleate.

[0096] Examples of commercially available ethoxylated sorbitan esters that can be used for the present invention include Arlatone™ TV, Atlas™ G-1086, (sorbitan hexaoleate), Atlas® G-1096, Atrox® 1045A, Cirrasol® G-1086, Cirrasol® G-1096, Tween® 20, Tween® 21, Tween® Examples of suitable ethylene glycol monoacrylates include Tween™ 40, Tween™ 60, Tween™ 61, Tween™ 65, Tween™ 80 (polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate), Tween™ 81, and Tween™ 85 (all from Croda), Toximul™ SEE-340, and Toximul™ SEE-341 (from Stepan).

[0097] Class 10. EO / PO / EO Block Copolymer Class 10 surfactants are those commonly known in the art as tri-block copolymers of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO). They are also sometimes referred to in the art as polyoxylethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers. In a preferred embodiment, and for all embodiments described herein, the EO / PO / EO block copolymer can be represented by formula (X): R 1 -(EO) x (PO) y (EO) z -R 2 Formula (X) During the ceremony, EO is an ethylene oxide unit, PO is a propylene oxide unit, and EO and PO are arranged in a block configuration; x and z are independently in the range of 2 to 150, and y is in the range of 1 to 100; R 1 is OH or a linear or branched C1-C20 alkyl or alkenyl group; R 2 is H or a linear or branched C1 to C20 alkyl or alkenyl group.

[0098] In the EO / PO block copolymer of formula (X), it is preferred that x and z are independently in the range of 5 to 100 and y is in the range of 10 to 80; it is more preferred that x and z are independently in the range of 8 to 50 and y is in the range of 20 to 60; it is even more preferred that x and z are independently in the range of 10 to 20 and y is in the range of 25 to 40. In these preferred embodiments, it is even more preferred that x and z are the same. The EO / PO block copolymer of formula (X) preferably has a weight average molecular weight in the range of 250 to 19,000, more preferably 1,000 to 15,000, even more preferably 1,500 to 10,000, and even more preferably 1,500 to 5,000. In a preferred embodiment, x and z are independently in the range of 2 to 150. where y is in the range of 1 to 100, and R 1 is OH and R 2 is H, and the EO / PO block copolymer has a weight average molecular weight in the range of 250 to 19,000. In another preferred embodiment, x and z are independently in the range of 8 to 50, y is in the range of 20 to 60, and R 1 is OH and R 2 is H. In another preferred embodiment, x and z are independently in the range of 8 to 20, y is in the range of 20 to 40, and R 1 is OH and R 2 is H.

[0099] Examples of commercially available EO / PO block copolymers that can be used for the present invention include those sold under the name Synperonic by Croda, e.g. Synperonic® PE / F32 (INCI name: poloxamer 108), Synperonic® PE / F108 (INCI name: poloxamer 338), Synperonic® PE / L44 (INCI name: poloxamer 124), Synperonic® PE / L42 (INCI name: poloxamer 122), Synperonic® PE / F127 (INCI name: poloxamer 407), Synperonic® PE / F88 (INCI name: poloxamer 238), Synperonic® PE / L64 (INCI name: poloxamer 184), Synperonic® PE / F88 (INCI name: poloxamer 238), Synperonic® PE / F87 (INCI name: poloxamer 237), or Lutrol® F68 (BASF, INCI name: Poloxamer 188)

[0100] Class 11. Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates Class 11 surfactants are those commonly known in the art as tristyrylphenol ethoxylates. In a preferred embodiment, and for all embodiments described herein, the tristyrylphenol ethoxylates can be represented by formula (XI): [ka] During the ceremony, n is a number from 4 to 150, preferably from 10 to 100, and more preferably from 15 to 60.

[0101] Preferred examples are those where n is 15, 16, 19, 20, 36 or 54. A commercially available example of this surfactant with 16EO is Soprophor. (registered trademark) BSU (from Rhodia).

[0102] Class 12. Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates with non-nitrogen-containing counterions Sulfate Class 12 surfactants are those commonly known in the art as tristyrylphenol ethoxylate sulfates. The sulfate group is associated with a counterion. The inventors have discovered that tristyrylphenol ethoxylate sulfates with nitrogen-containing counterions result in poorer stabilization of sulfonylureas. Therefore, Class 12 surfactants are tristyrylphenol ethoxylate sulfates whose counterions do not contain nitrogen. In a preferred embodiment, and for all embodiments described herein, the tristyrylphenol ethoxylate sulfate can be represented by formula (XII): [ka] During the ceremony, n is a number from 4 to 150, preferably from 10 to 100, and more preferably from 15 to 60; R 1 is a cation, where R 1 does not contain a nitrogen atom.

[0103] In a preferred embodiment, R 1 is one selected from hydrogen, sodium, or potassium. In a more preferred embodiment, n is a number from 15 to 60, and R 1 is one selected from hydrogen, sodium, or potassium.

[0104] An example of a commercially available tristyrylphenol ethoxylate sulfate surfactant with a non-nitrogen-containing counterion is Soprofol® 4D384.

[0105] Class 13. Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphate esters with non-nitrogen-containing counterions Class 13 surfactants are those commonly known in the art as tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphate esters. The phosphate group is associated with a counterion. The inventors have discovered that tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphate esters with nitrogen-containing counterions provide poorer stabilization of sulfonylureas. Therefore, Class 13 surfactants are tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphate esters whose counterions do not contain nitrogen. In a preferred embodiment, and for all embodiments described herein, the tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphate ester can be represented by formula (XIII): [ka] During the ceremony, n is a number from 4 to 150, preferably from 10 to 100, and more preferably from 15 to 60; R 1 and R 2 are independently cations, provided that R 1 MoR 2 also does not contain a nitrogen atom.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment, R 1 and R 2 is independently selected from hydrogen, sodium, or potassium. In a still preferred embodiment, n is a number from 15 to 60, and R 1 and R 2 is independently selected from hydrogen, sodium, or potassium.

[0107] Examples of tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphate esters according to formula (XIII) are tristyrylphenol-polyglycol ether-phosphate ester, available as Soprofol® 3D33, as well as tristyrylphenol-polyglycol ether-phosphate potassium salt, available as Soprofol® FLK (all from Rhodia).

[0108] Class 14. Ethoxylated alkyl phosphate esters Class 14 surfactants are generally known in the art as ethoxylated alkyl phosphate esters. The phosphate group is associated with a counterion. The inventors have found that ethoxylated alkyl phosphate esters with nitrogen-containing counterions typically result in poorer stabilization of sulfonyl ureas. Therefore, it is preferred to use ethoxylated alkyl phosphate esters whose counterions do not contain nitrogen. In a preferred embodiment, and for all embodiments described herein, the ethoxylated alkyl phosphate ester can be represented by formula (XIV): [ka] During the ceremony, R 1 is a linear or branched C6 to C24 alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably a linear or branched C8 to C12 alkyl group; R 2 is a linear or branched C6 to C24 alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably or a linear or branched C8 to C12 alkyl group, or alternatively a cation, provided that the cation does not contain a nitrogen atom; R 3 is a cation, with the proviso that the cation does not contain a nitrogen atom; n is 3 to 20; m is 0 to 20.

[0109] In a preferred embodiment, R of formula (XIV) 2 and R 3 The cations in R are independently selected from hydrogen, sodium, or potassium. 1 is a C6 to C10 linear or branched alkyl group, n is 3 to 8, m is 0, and R 2 and R 3 are independently cations, preferably selected from hydrogen, sodium, and potassium. 1is a C8 alkyl group, n is 5, m is 0, and R 2 and R 3 is as defined above for formula (XIV). In another preferred embodiment, R 1 is a C alkyl group, n is 4, m is 0, and R 2 and R 3 is as defined above for formula (XIV). In another preferred embodiment, R 1 is a C11-C14 alkyl group, n is 6, m is 0, and R 2 and R 3 is as defined above for formula (XIV). In another embodiment, R 1 is a C10 to C16 linear or branched alkyl group, n is 3 to 8, m is 3 to 8, and R 2 is a C10 to C16 linear or branched alkyl group, and R 3 is a cation, preferably selected from hydrogen, sodium, and potassium. In a preferred embodiment, R 1 is a C11 to C14 alkyl group, n+m=6, and R 3 is a cation, preferably hydrogen, sodium, and potassium. Commercial examples of ethoxylated alkyl phosphate esters include Rhodafac RS610 / E (Solvay), Atrox AL-3382 (Croda), and Multitrope 810 (Croda).

[0110] 4.6 Preferred Combinations of Sulfonylureas and Surfactants As noted above, improved stability of sulfonylureas is achieved when 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are comprised of surfactants selected from the surfactant classes 1 to 14 listed above; and when at least two of the surfactant classes 1 to 14 each account for at least 10% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. However, the inventors have found that stability is even further improved when the surfactant classes are selected depending on the sulfonylurea in question.

[0111] For example, the stability of metsulfuron methyl is most improved when the surfactant is selected from surfactant classes 1-13, with best results obtained with surfactants selected from classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. Thus, in one aspect, the invention provides a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system; metsulfuron methyl; and two or more surfactants, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1-13 (or more preferably 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13), and at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 accounts for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes the surfactant classes 1 to 4 together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and the surfactant classes 5 to 13 (or more preferably 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13) together account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, the surfactant classes 1 to 4 together account for 40 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. 90% by weight, more preferably 50-90% by weight, even more preferably 60-90% by weight, even more preferably 70-90% by weight, and even up to 80-90% by weight, while surfactant classes 5-13 (or more preferably 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13) collectively account for 10-60%, 10-50%, 10-40%, 10-30%, and 10-20% by weight, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0112] With respect to the embodiment described in the immediately preceding paragraph, when the liquid composition contains 0.5 to 2 wt.% metsulfuron methyl, it is preferred that surfactant classes 1 to 4 collectively comprise 30 to 90 wt.% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, surfactant classes 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 collectively comprise 10 to 70 wt.% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80 wt.% to 100 wt.% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 1 to 4 collectively comprise: The total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition, Preferably, the surfactants in the liquid composition comprise 60-90% by weight, preferably 70-90% by weight, and even 80-90% by weight, while surfactant classes 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 collectively comprise 10-40% by weight, 10-30% by weight, and 10-20% by weight, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. Liquid formulations containing relatively low amounts of metsulfuron methyl exhibit higher degradation rates of the sulfonylurea. Surfactants from classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 have been observed to provide the best stabilization of metsulfuron methyl at these low concentrations.

[0113] The stability of thifensulfuron methyl is improved when the surfactant is selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14. Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention relates to a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system, thifensulfuron methyl, and two or more surfactants, wherein at least one of surfactant classes 1 to 4 accounts for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and at least one of surfactant classes 5 to 14 accounts for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14; surfactant classes 1 to 4 collectively account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5 to 14 collectively account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 1 to 4 preferably together comprise 40 to 90 wt.%, more preferably 50 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 60 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 70 to 90 wt.%, and even up to 80 to 90 wt.%, of the total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5 to 14 together comprise 10 to 60 wt.%, 10 to 50 wt.%, 10 to 40 wt.%, 10 to 30 wt.%, and 10 to 20 wt.%, respectively, of the total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition.

[0114] The stability of chlorimuron ethyl is most improved when the surfactant is selected from surfactant classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system; chlorimuron ethyl; and two or more surfactants, wherein at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 comprises 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. the surfactant classes 1 to 4 together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and the surfactant classes 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 together account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, the surfactant classes 1 to 4 together preferably account for 40 to 90% by weight, more preferably 50 to 90% by weight, even more preferably 60 to 90% by weight, even more preferably 70 to 90% by weight, and even up to 80 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while the surfactant classes 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 together account for 10 to 60% by weight, 10 to 50% by weight, 10 to 40% by weight, 10 to 30% by weight, and 10 to 20% by weight, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0115] With respect to the three sulfonylureas just mentioned, namely, metsulfuron methyl, thifensulfuron methyl, and chlorimuron ethyl, the inventors have also found that when selecting a surfactant from any of Classes 1-14, to maximize stability, it is preferable to select a surfactant in which the hydroxyl content (—OH) of the surfactant is 6% or less by weight based on the molecular weight of the surfactant. When selecting a surfactant from Classes 13 or 14, it is preferable to select the diester form.

[0116] The stability of bensulfuron is improved when the surfactant is selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14, with best results obtained with surfactants selected from classes 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14. Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention provides a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system; bensulfuron; and two or more surfactants, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14 (preferably 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14), and at least one of surfactant classes 1 to 4 (preferably 2 and / or 4) accounts for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes the surfactant classes 1 to 4 (preferably 2 and / or 4) together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and the surfactant classes 5 to 14 (preferably 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14) together account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 1 to 4 (preferably 2 and / or 4) preferably together comprise 40 to 90 wt.%, more preferably 50 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 60 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 70 to 90 wt.%, and even up to 80 to 90 wt.% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5 to 14 (preferably 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14) together comprise 10 to 60 wt.%, 10 to 50 wt.%, 10 to 40 wt.%, 10 to 30 wt.%, and 10 to 20 wt.%, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0117] With respect to the embodiment described in the immediately preceding paragraph, when the liquid composition contains 0.5 to 2 wt. % bensulfuron, it is preferred that surfactant classes 2 and 4 collectively constitute 30 to 90 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, surfactant classes 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 collectively constitute 10 to 70 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80 to 100 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 2 and 4 collectively constitute 60 to 90 wt. %, preferably 70 to 90 wt. %, and even 80 to 100 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. Preferably, surfactant classes 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 collectively account for 10-40%, 10-30%, and 10-20% by weight, respectively, of the total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition. Surfactants from classes 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 exhibit the best stabilization of bensulfuron at these low concentrations.

[0118] The stability of sulfosulfuron is improved when the surfactant is selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14, with best results obtained with surfactants selected from classes 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14. Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention provides a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system; sulfosulfuron; and two or more surfactants, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14 (preferably 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14), and wherein at least one of surfactant classes 1 to 4 (preferably 2 and / or 4) accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and The liquid herbicidal composition is characterized in that at least one of Classes 5 to 14 (preferably 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14) accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; surfactant Classes 1 to 4 (preferably 2 and / or 4) account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition in total; and surfactant Classes 5 to 14 (preferably 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14) account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition in total. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 1 to 14 (preferably 2 and / or 4) preferably together comprise 40 to 90 wt.%, more preferably 50 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 60 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 70 to 90 wt.%, and even up to 80 to 90 wt.%, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5 to 14 (preferably 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14) together comprise 10 to 60 wt.%, 10 to 50 wt.%, 10 to 40 wt.%, 10 to 30 wt.%, and 10 to 20 wt.%, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0119] With respect to the embodiment described in the immediately preceding paragraph, when the liquid composition contains 0.5 to 2 wt. % sulfosulfuron, it is preferred that surfactant classes 2 and 4, collectively, account for 30 to 90 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, surfactant classes 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14, collectively, account for 10 to 70 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80 to 100 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 2 and 4, collectively, account for 60 to 90 wt. %, preferably 70 to 90 wt. % or even 80 to 90 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14, collectively, account for 10 to 40 wt. %, 10 to 30 wt. %, and 10 to 20 wt. %, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. Surfactants from classes 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14 show the best stabilization of sulfosulfuron at these low concentrations.

[0120] As with metsulfuron methyl, thifensulfuron methyl, and chlorimuron ethyl, the inventors have found that, with bensulfuron and sulfosulfuron, certain members of the surfactant class are expected to stabilize these sulfonylureas to a greater extent than other members of the class. With bensulfuron and sulfosulfuron, when selecting surfactants with hydroxyl groups, it is also preferred to select surfactants in which the hydroxyl content (—OH) of the surfactant is 6% or less by weight, based on the molecular weight of the surfactant. When selecting surfactants from Classes 1-14, it is preferred to select those that do not contain any nitrogen in the surfactant.

[0121] The stability of rimsulfuron is improved when the surfactant is selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14 (preferably 2 and / or 4), with best results obtained with surfactants selected from classes 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14. Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system; rimsulfuron; and two or more surfactants, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14 (preferably 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14), wherein at least one of surfactant classes 1 to 4 (preferably 2 and / or 4) accounts for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes the surfactant classes 1 to 4 (preferably 2 and / or 4) together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and the surfactant classes 5 to 14 (preferably 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13 and 14) together account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 1 to 4 (preferably 2 and / or 4) preferably together comprise 40 to 90 wt.%, more preferably 50 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 60 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 70 to 90 wt.%, and even up to 80 to 90 wt.%, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5 to 14 (preferably 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13 and 14) together comprise 10 to 60 wt.%, 10 to 50 wt.%, 10 to 40 wt.%, 10 to 30 wt.%, and 10 to 20 wt.%, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0122] With respect to the embodiment described in the immediately preceding paragraph, when the liquid composition contains 0.5 to 2 wt. % rimsulfuron, it is preferred that surfactant classes 2 and 4, collectively, account for 30 to 90 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, surfactant classes 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14, collectively, account for 10 to 70 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80 to 100 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 2 and 4, collectively, account for 60 to 90 wt. %, preferably 70 to 90 wt. % or even 80 to 90 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14, collectively, account for 10 to 40 wt. %, 10 to 30 wt. %, and 10 to 20 wt. %, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. Surfactants from classes 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14 show the best stabilization of rimsulfuron at these low concentrations.

[0123] The stability of amidosulfuron is improved when the surfactant is selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14 (preferably 2, 4, 5, 7 and 11). Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system; amidosulfuron; and two or more surfactants, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14 (preferably 2, 4, 5, 7, and 11), wherein at least one of surfactant classes 1 to 4 (preferably 2 and / or 4) accounts for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and at least one of surfactant classes 5 to 14 (preferably 5, 7, and 11) accounts for 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; surfactant classes 1 to 4 (preferably 2 and / or 4) collectively account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5 to 14 (preferably 5, 7, and 11) collectively account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 1 to 4 (preferably 2 and / or 4) preferably account for 40 to 90 wt.%, more preferably 50 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 60 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 70 to 90 wt.%, and even up to 80 to 90 wt.%, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5 to 14 (preferably 5, 7, and 11) account for 10 to 60 wt.%, 10 to 50 wt.%, 10 to 40 wt.%, 10 to 30 wt.%, and 10 to 20 wt.%, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0124] The stability of pyrazosulfuron is improved when the surfactant is selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14, with best results being obtained with surfactants selected from classes 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14. Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention relates to a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system; pyrazosulfuron; and two or more surfactants, characterized in that surfactant classes 1 to 4 (preferably 1, 2, and 4) collectively account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14 (preferably 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14), and surfactant classes 5 to 14 (preferably 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14) account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 1 to 14 (preferably 1, 2 and 4) in total preferably account for 40 to 90 wt.%, more preferably 50 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 60 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 70 to 90 wt.%, and even up to 80 to 90 wt.%, of the total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5 to 14 (preferably 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13 and 14) account for 10 to 60 wt.%, 10 to 50 wt.%, 10 to 40 wt.%, 10 to 30 wt.%, and 10 to 20 wt.%, respectively, of the total amount of surfactant in the liquid composition.

[0125] With respect to the embodiment described in the immediately preceding paragraph, when the liquid composition contains 0.5 to 2 wt. % pyrazosulfuron, it is preferred that surfactant classes 1, 2, and 4 collectively account for 30 to 90 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, surfactant classes 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14 account for 10 to 70 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80 wt. % to 100 wt. % of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 1, 2, and 4 collectively comprise 60-90 wt.%, preferably 70-90 wt.%, and even 80-90 wt.%, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14 collectively comprise 10-40 wt.%, 10-30 wt.%, and 10-20 wt.%, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. Liquid formulations containing relatively low amounts of pyrazosulfuron have been observed to exhibit higher degradation rates of the sulfonylurea. Surfactants from classes 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14 exhibit the best stabilization of pyrazosulfuron at these low concentrations.

[0126] The stability of triflusulfuron is most improved when the surfactant is selected from surfactant classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 (preferably 2, 4, 5, and 11). Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides a liquid herbicidal composition comprising a non-aqueous solvent system; triflusulfuron; and two or more surfactants, with the understanding that 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 (preferably 2, 4, 5, and 11). at least one (preferably 2 and / or 4) of surfactant classes 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 (preferably 5 and / or 11) accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; surfactant classes 1 to 4 (preferably 2 and / or 4) account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; and surfactant classes 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 (preferably 5 and 11) account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 1 to 4 (preferably 2 and / or 4) preferably together comprise 40 to 90 wt.%, more preferably 50 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 60 to 90 wt.%, even more preferably 70 to 90 wt.%, and even up to 80 to 90 wt.%, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 (preferably 5 and / or 11) together comprise 10 to 60 wt.%, 10 to 50 wt.%, 10 to 40 wt.%, 10 to 30 wt.%, and 10 to 20 wt.%, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

[0127] With respect to the embodiment described in the immediately preceding paragraph, when the liquid composition contains 0.5 to 2 wt.% triflusulfuron, it is preferred that surfactant classes 2 and 4 collectively account for 30 to 90 wt.% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, surfactant classes 5 and 11 collectively account for 10 to 70 wt.% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and 80 to 100 wt.% of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 2, 4, 5, and 11. In this embodiment, surfactant classes 2 and 4 collectively account for 60 to 90 wt.%, preferably 70 to 90 wt.%, or even 80 to 90 wt.%, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, while surfactant classes 5 and 11 collectively account for 10 to 40 wt.%, 10 to 30 wt.%, and 10 to 20 wt.%, respectively, of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. Surfactants from classes 2, 4, 5, and 11 exhibit the best stabilization of triflusulfuron at these low concentrations.

[0128] Examples of surfactants for each of the surfactant classes in the invention, including the specific embodiments discussed above for metsulfuron methyl, thifensulfuron methyl, chlorimuron ethyl, bensulfuron, sulfosulfuron, rimsulfuron, amidosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, and triflusulfuron, are set forth below. Capped isotridecyl alcohol polyglycol ether;6EO;Me (Class 1; e.g., Genapol XM060), Capped isotridecyl alcohol polyglycol ether;15EO;Me (Class 1; e.g., Genapol XM150), Calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (Class 2; e.g. Nansa EVM70 / 2E), Calcium stearate (class 3), Magnesium stearate (class 3), C12-C15 alkoxylated ethers; 8EO and 4PO (class 5; for example, Genapol EP2584), C12-C15 polyglycol ethers; 3EO (Class 5; e.g. Synperonic A3), C12-C15 polyglycol ethers; 7EO (Class 5; e.g. Synperonic A7), C12-C15 polyglycol ethers; 11EO (Class 5; e.g. Synperonic A11), PEG-8 monostearate (class 6; e.g., Cisrol 4MS), PEG-8 stearate (class 6; e.g., Merge S8), Ethoxylated castor oil; 10EO (Class 7; e.g. Ethoxylated Castor Oil 10), Ethoxylated castor oil; 40EO (Class 7; e.g. Ethox 40), Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Class 9; e.g., Tween 80), Sorbitan hexaoleate; 40EO (Class 9; e.g. Atlas G1086), EO / PO block copolymer, 40% EO (Class 10; e.g. Synperonic PE / L64), Ethoxylated tristyrylphenols; 16EO (Class 11; e.g., Soprofol BSU), Ethoxylated tristyrylphenol phosphate esters; 16EO (Class 13; e.g., Soprofol 3D33), Isotridecyl phosphate ester; 6EO (Class 14; e.g. Rodafac RS610 / E), Octyl phosphate ester; 5EO (Class 14; e.g. Atrox AL-3382), Decyl phosphate esters; 4EO (Class 14; e.g. Multitrop 810).

[0129] 4.7 Additional activators The liquid herbicidal composition may also include a non-sulfonylurea herbicide or safener, for example as outlined below.

[0130] 4.7.1 Non-sulfonylurea herbicides The composition of the present invention may contain one or more herbicides in addition to the sulfonylurea herbicide. These additional non-sulfonylurea herbicides may be liquid, waxy solid, or powder, and may be dissolved, dispersed, suspended, or otherwise contained in the composition. The additional herbicidal compound is not particularly limited and may be any herbicidal compound known in the art. For example, the compound may be selected from the herbicidal compounds listed in Section 16 of "The Pesticide Manual" (ISBN-10: 190139686X) and the references cited therein. Exemplary additional herbicidal compounds include 2,4-D (e.g., ester or amine), 2,4-DB, 2,3,6-TBA, acetochlor, acifluorfen, acifluorfen sodium, aclonifen, alachlor, alloxydim, alloxydim-sodium, ametryn, amicarbazone, aminopyralid, amitrole, anilofos, asulam, atrazine, azafenidine, beflubutamid, benazolin, benazolin ethyl, benfuresate, bentazon, benzfendizone, benzobicyclon, benzofenap, bifenox, bilanaphos, bipyrazone, bispyribac-sodium, bixlozone, bromacil, bromobutide , bromofenoxime, bromoxynil, butachlor, butafenacil, butenachlor, butralin, butroxydim, butyrate, cafenstrole, Rubetamide, carfentrazone-ethyl, clomethoxyfen, chloridazon, chlornitrofen, chlorotoluron, cinidon-ethyl, cinmethylin, clacyfos, clefoxydim, clethodim, clodinafop-propargyl, clomazone, clomeprop, clopyralid, chloransulam-ethyl, cumyluron, cyanazine, cyclopyranyl, cyclopyrimorate, cyclo Xyzim, cyhalofop-butyl, sipirafluon, dymron, dazomet, desmedipham, dicamba, dichlobenil, dichlorprop, dichlorprop-P, diclofop-methyl, diclosulam, difenzoquat, diflufenican, diflufenzopyr, dikegulac sodium, dimefron, dimepiperate, dimethsulfazate, dimethachlor, dimethamethrin, dimethenamid, diquat dibromide, dithiopyr, diuron, dymro phenanthrene, epirifenacil, EPTC, esprocarb, ethalfluralin, ethofumesate, ethoxyfene, etobenzanide, fenoxaprop-ethyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fenquinotrione, fentrazamide, flamprop-M-isopropyl, flamprop-M-methyl, florasulam, florpiruxifen, fluazifop, fluazifop-butyl, fluazolate, flucarbazone-sodium, fluchloralin, flufenacet, flufenpyr, flu Lumetsulam, flumiclorac pentyl, flumioxazin, fluometuron, fluorochloridone, fluoroglycofen ethyl, flupoxam, fluridone, fluroxypyr, fluroxypyr butoxypropyl, fluroxypyr meptyl, flurprimidol, flurtamone, fluthiacet methyl, fomesafen, glufosinate, glufosinate ammonium, glyphosate, haloxifen, haloxyfop, haloxyfop ethoxyethyl, haloxyfop methyl, haloxyfop ip-P-methyl, herbimycin, hexazinone, imazamethabenzmethyl, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin, imazethapyr, indanofan, ioxynil, isoproturon, isouron, isoxaben, isoxachlorthor, isoxaflutole, ketospiradox, lactofen, lancotrione, lenacil, linuron, MCPA, MCPB, mecoprop, mecoprop-P, mefenacet, mesotrione, metamifop, metamitron, meta Zachlor, methabenzthiazuron, methyldimethyron, metobromuron, metolachlor, metoslam, methoxuron, metribuzin, molinate, monolinuron, naproanilide, napropamide, nebron, norflurazon, orbencarb, oryzalin, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, oxaziclomefone, oxyfluorfen, paraquat, pelargonic acid, pendimethalin, pendralin, penoxsulam, pentoxazone, petoxamid, phenmedi Fam, picloram, picolinafen, pinoxaden, piperophos, pretilachlor, profluazol, profoxydim, prometryn, propachlor, propanil, propaquizafop, propisochlor, propoxycarbazone sodium, propyzamide, prosulfocarb, pyraclonil, pyraflufen-ethyl, pyrazolate, pyrazoxyfen, pyribenzoxim, pyributicarb, pyridafol, pyri lidate, pyriftalid, pyriminobac-methyl, pyrithiobac-sodium, quinclorac, quinmerac, quinoclamine, quintrione, quizalofop-ethyl, quizalofop-p-ethyl, quizalofop-p-tefuryl, sethoxydim, simazine, simetryn, S-metolachlor, sulcotrione, sulfentrazone, sulfosate, tebuthiuron, tepraloxydim, terbuthylazine, terbutryn, tetflupyrrolimet, thenylchlor, thiazopyr, thiobencarb, thiafenacil, thiocarbazil, tolpyralate, tralkoxydim, triafamone, triallate, triaziflam, triclopyr, tridiphan, trifludimoxazine, trifluralin, and tripyrasulfone.

[0131] When present, the additional non-sulfonylurea herbicide is preferably contained in the liquid composition of the present invention in an amount of at least 0.1% by weight. More preferably, the non-sulfonylurea herbicide is contained in an amount of at least 0.2% by weight, at least 0.5% by weight, at least 0.7% by weight, at least 1% by weight, at least 2% by weight, at least 5% by weight, at least 10% by weight, at least 15% by weight, at least 20% by weight, or at least 25% by weight. The non-sulfonylurea herbicide is preferably contained in the composition in an amount of 95% by weight or less. When the non-sulfonylurea herbicide is itself a liquid, a large amount of the non-sulfonylurea herbicide may be present. More preferably, the non-sulfonylurea herbicide is contained in an amount of 60% by weight or less, 50% by weight or less, 40% by weight or less, 35% by weight or less, 30% by weight or less, or 25% by weight or less. Any of the disclosed lower weight percent limits for the amount of non-sulfonylurea herbicide can be combined with any of the disclosed upper weight percent limits to define additional suitable weight percent ranges for purposes of this invention. Further exemplary ranges for the amount of urea herbicide include 0.1-95% by weight, 1-60% by weight, 2-50% by weight, 5-40% by weight, 10-30% by weight, 15-25% by weight, 25-35% by weight, and 10-50% by weight.

[0132] When salts or derivatives (such as esters) of non-sulfonylurea herbicides are employed for purposes of this invention, the weight percent amounts recited herein refer to the weight of the salt or derivative. When more than one non-sulfonylurea herbicide is present in the composition (as a salt, derivative, or otherwise), the amounts recited herein refer to the combined amounts of all non-sulfonylurea herbicides present in the composition.

[0133] In the present invention, one or more of the non-sulfonylurea herbicides may be, for example, a sulfonylurea herbicide, as described in WO 2008 / 061721 A2 (GAT Microencapsulation AG). It may be partially or fully encapsulated (e.g., microcapsules), in which case the weight percent amounts stated herein refer to the weight of the non-sulfonylurea herbicide excluding any encapsulating material.

[0134] The liquid compositions of the present invention may include any of the sulfonylureas described herein together with any of the non-sulfonylurea herbicides described herein.

[0135] For example, the liquid composition may contain tribenuron methyl and any of the other non-sulfonylurea herbicides described herein.Exemplary combinations with tribenuron methyl include tribenuron methyl and 2,4-D (e.g., as ester or amine or choline salt); tribenuron methyl and MCPA (e.g., as ester or amine); tribenuron methyl and bromoxynil; tribenuron methyl and glyphosate; tribenuron methyl and fluroxypyr; tribenuron methyl and dicamba (e.g., as sodium salt or diglycolamine salt or ester); tribenuron methyl and mecoprop-P; tribenuron methyl and MCPB; tribenuron methyl, fluroxypyr and clopyralid; tribenuron methyl and carfentrazone ethyl; tribenuron methyl and clopyralid (e.g., as MEA salt); tribenuron methyl and clodinafop; tribenuron methyl and quinclorac; tribenuron methyl and florasulam.

[0136] The liquid composition may include nicosulfuron and any of the other non-sulfonylurea herbicides described herein. Exemplary combinations with nicosulfuron include nicosulfuron and dicamba (which may be as the sodium salt or ester); nicosulfuron and atrazine; nicosulfuron and flumetsulam; nicosulfuron and clopyralid (which may be as the potassium salt or ester); nicosulfuron and diflupenzopyr (which may be as the sodium salt or ester). good); nicosulfuron and metolachlor; nicosulfuron and terbuthylazine; nicosulfuron and mesotrione; and nicosulfuron and bentazon.

[0137] The liquid composition may contain metsulfuron methyl and any of the other non-sulfonylurea herbicides described herein. Exemplary combinations with metsulfuron methyl include metsulfuron methyl and acetochlor; metsulfuron methyl and carfentrazone ethyl; metsulfuron methyl and imazapyr; metsulfuron methyl and aminopyralid; metsulfuron methyl and fluroxypyr; metsulfuron methyl and mecoprop-p; metsulfuron methyl and picloram; metsulfuron methyl and pyraflufen ethyl; metsulfuron methyl and propanil; metsulfuron methyl and glyphosate ammonium; metsulfuron methyl and dicamba (naphthalene methyl). metsulfuron methyl and 2,4-D (which may be as the dimethylammonium salt, choline salt, or ester); and metsulfuron methyl, dicamba (which may be as the sodium, dimethylammonium, or diglycolamine salt, or as the ester) and 2,4-D (which may be as the dimethylammonium salt, choline salt, or ester).

[0138] Further exemplary combinations of sulfonylureas and non-sulfonylureas for use in the present invention include bensulfuron methyl and acetochlor; bensulfuron methyl and indanofan; bensulfuron methyl and clomeprop; bensulfuron methyl and pretilachlor; bensulfuron methyl and fentrazamide; bensulfuron methyl and thenylchlor; bensulfuron methyl and pentoxazone; bensulfuron methyl and pyriminobac-methyl; bensulfuron methyl and bromobutide; bensulfuron methyl bensulfuron methyl and butachlor; bensulfuron methyl and dymron; bensulfuron methyl and mefenacet; bensulfuron methyl, dymron and mefenacet; chlorimuron ethyl and sulfentrazone; iodosulfuron methyl (optionally as the sodium salt) and isoxadifen ethyl; iodosulfuron methyl (optionally as the sodium salt) and propoxycarbazone (optionally as the sodium salt); iodosulfuron methyl (optionally as the sodium salt) and propoxycarbazone (optionally as the sodium salt); iodosulfuron methyl (may be as the sodium salt) and diflufenican; iodosulfuron methyl (may be as the sodium salt) and fenoxaprop-P-ethyl; mesosulfuron (and / or as the methyl ester) and diflufenican; mesosulfuron (and / or as the methyl ester) and propoxycarbazone (e.g., the sodium salt); pyrazosulfuron ethyl and pretilachlor; pyrazosulfuron ethyl and pyriftalid; pyrazosulfuron ethyl and mefenacet; pyrazosulfuron pyrazosulfuron ethyl and esprocarb;pyrazosulfuron ethyl and dimethamethrin;pyrazosulfuron ethyl and oxaziclomefone;pyrazosulfuron ethyl and benzobicyclon;pyrazosulfuron ethyl and cyhalofop butyl;pyrazosulfuron ethyl and penoxsulam;pyrazosulfuron ethyl, cyhalofop butyl, pretilachlor, and dimethamethrin;pyrazosulfuron ethyl, benzobicyclon and penoxsulam;pyrazosulfuron ethyl, benzobicyclon, dimethamethrin and oxaziclomefone;Pyrazosulfuron ethyl, pretilachlor, dimethamethrin, and esprocarb; pyrazosulfuron ethyl, benzobicyclon, butachlor and pyraclonil; pyrazosulfuron ethyl, benzobicyclon and fentrazamide; foramsulfuron and isoxadifen ethyl; foramsulfuron and cyprosulfamide; foramsulfuron and thiencarbazone methyl; foramsulfuron, iodosulfuron methyl sodium salt, and isoxadifen ethyl; foramsulfuron, iodosulfuron methyl sodium salt, cyprosulfamide and thiencarbazone methyl; iodosulfuron and thiencarbazone methyl; Methos These include: rimsulfuron methyl, bensulfuron methyl and acetochlor; thifensulfuron methyl, chlorimuron ethyl and flumioxazin; rimsulfuron and mesotrione; rimsulfuron and metolachlor; rimsulfuron and dicamba; rimsulfuron, metolachlor and dicamba; thifensulfuron methyl, and one or more of dicamba, 2,4-D-esters, MCPA-esters, clodinafop, quinclorac, fluroxypyr, acetochlor, lenacil and prometryn; chlorimuron ethyl and acetochlor; chlorimuron ethyl and metribuzin; chlorimuron ethyl and imazethapyr.

[0139] 4.7.2 Relief agents The compositions of the present invention may be dissolved, dispersed, suspended, or otherwise incorporated into the composition. The composition may also contain one or more mitigating agents that can be incorporated in the manner described above. Suitable mitigating agents are those listed in "The Pesticide Manual" (ISBN-10:190139686X) as well as those listed in US2006 / 0276337A1, paragraphs

[0113] to

[0129] , which paragraphs are incorporated herein by reference.

[0140] Exemplary mitigating agents include: (1) Compounds of the dichlorophenylpyrazoline-3-carboxylic acid type, for example, ethyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(ethoxycarbonyl)-5-methyl-2-pyrazoline-3-carboxylate and related compounds, as described in WO 91 / 07874; (2) Derivatives of dichlorophenylpyrazolecarboxylic acids, preferably compounds such as ethyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methylpyrazole-3-carboxylate, ethyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-isopropylpyrazole-3-carboxylate, ethyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)pyrazole-3-carboxylate, ethyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-phenylpyrazole-3-carboxylate, and related compounds, as described in EP-A-333131 and EP-A-269806; (3) compounds of the triazolecarboxylic acid type, preferably compounds such as fenchlorazole, i.e., ethyl 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-trichloro-methyl-(1H)-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxylate, and related compounds (see EP-A-174562 and EP-A-346620); (4) 5-benzyl- or 5-phenyl-2-isoxazoline-3-carboxylic acid or 5,5-diphenyl-2-isoxazoline-3-carboxylic acid type compounds, preferably compounds such as ethyl 5-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-2-isoxazoline-3-carboxylate or ethyl 5-phenyl-2-isoxazoline-3-carboxylate, as described in WO 91 / 08202, and related compounds, or ethyl 5,5-diphenyl-2-isoxazolinecarboxylate or n-propyl ester or ethyl 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-phenyl-2-isoxazoline-3-carboxylate, as described in patent application WO-A-95 / 07897; (5) Compounds of the 8-quinolinoxyacetic acid type, preferably 1-methylhex-1-yl(5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate, 1,3-dimethylbut-1-yl(5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate, 4-allyloxybutyl(5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate, 1-allyloxybutyl(5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate, as described in EP-A-86750, EP-A-94349 and EP-A-191736 or EP-A-0492366. 2-(2-propylideneiminoxy)-1-ethyl(5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate, 2-oxoprop-1-yl(5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)acetate and related compounds; (6) (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)malonic acid type compounds, preferably compounds such as diethyl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)malonate, diallyl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)malonate, methylethyl (5-chloro-8-quinolinoxy)malonate and related compounds, as described in EP-A-0 582 198; (7) active compounds of the type of phenoxyacetic acid or phenoxypropionic acid derivatives or aromatic carboxylic acids, such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (esters), esters of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy-propionic acid, MCPA or 3,6-dichloro -2-Methoxybenzoic acid (ester), etc.; (8) Active compounds of the pyrimidine type, for example "fenclorim"; (9) Active compounds of the dichloroacetamide type, frequently used as pre-emergence safeners (safeners acting on the soil), such as "Dichlormid" (-N,N-diallyl-2,2-dichloroacetamide), "R-29148" (3-dichloroacetyl-2,2,5-trimethyl-1,3-oxazolidone from Stauffer), "Benoxacor" (4-dichloroacetyl-3,4-dihydro-3-methyl-2H-1,4-benzoxazine), "PPG-1292" (PPG Industries). N-allyl-N-[(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)methyl]dichloroacetamide from BASF Industries), "DK-24" (N-allyl-N-[(allylaminocarbonyl)methyl]dichloroacetamide from Sagro-Chem), "AD-67" or "MON4660" (3-dichloroacetyl-1-oxa-3-azaspiro[4,5]decane from Nitrokemia or Monsanto), "dicyclonone" or "BAS145138" or "LAB145138" (3-dichloroacetyl-2,5,5-tri-methyl-1,3-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane) and "furilazol" or "MON13900" ((RS)-3-dichloroacetyl-1-oxa-3-azaspiro[4.5]decane from BASF). Acetyl-5-(2-furyl)-2,2-dimethyloxazolidone), etc.; (10) Active compounds of the type of dichloroacetone derivatives, such as "MG191" (CAS registration number 96420-72-3) (2-dichloromethyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane from Nitrokemia); (11) Active compounds of the oximino compound type, such as "Oxabetrinil" ((Z)-1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethoxyimino-(phenyl)acetonitrile), "Fluxofenim" (1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-ethanone O-(1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)oxime, and "Ciometrinil" or "CGA43089" ((Z)-cyanomethoxyimino-(phenyl)acetonitrile); (12) Active compounds of the thiazolecarboxylic acid ester type, known as seed dressings, such as "Flurazole" (benzyl 2-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxylate); (13) Active compounds of the type of naphthalenedicarboxylic acid derivatives, such as "naphthalic anhydride" (1,8-naphthalenedicarboxylic anhydride); (14) Active compounds of the chroman acetic acid derivative type, such as "CL304415" (CAS registration number 31541-57-8) (American Cyanamid) 2-(4-carboxychroman-4-yl)acetic acid from (15) Active compounds which, in addition to herbicidal action against harmful plants, also have a safener action against crop plants, such as “Dimepiperate” or “MY-93” (-S-1-methyl-1-phenylethylpiperidine-1-thiocarboxylate), “Dymron” or “SK23” (1-(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)-3-p-tolyl-urea), “Cumylron” or “JC-940” (3-(2-chlorophenylmethyl)-1-(1-methyl-1-phenyl-ethyl)urea, see JP-A-60087254), “Methoxyphenone” or “NK049” (3,3′-dimethyl-4-methoxybenzophenone), “CSB” (1-bromo-4-(chloromethylsulfonyl)benzene) (CAS registration number 54091-06-4 from Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), etc.

[0141] Preferred herbicide safeners for use in the present invention include benoxacor, BCS (1-bromo-4-[(chloromethyl)sulfonyl]benzene), cloquintocet-mexyl, cyometrinil, cyprosulfamide, dichlormid, dicyclonone, 2-(dichloromethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane (MG191), dietholate, fenchlorazole-ethyl, fenclorim, flurazole, fluxofenim, furilazole, isoxadifen-ethyl, jiecaowan, jiecaoxi, These include mefenpyr, mefenpyr-ethyl, metcamifen, methoxyphenone ((4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)(3-methylphenyl)methanone), mephenate, naphthalic anhydride, and oxabetrinil.

[0142] The liquid compositions of the present invention may include any of the sulfonylureas described herein together with any suitable emollient described herein. Exemplary combinations of sulfonylureas and emollients include iodosulfuron methyl (optionally as the sodium salt) and mefenpyr-diethyl; mesosulfuron (and / or as the methyl ester) and mefenpyr-di-ethyl; mesosulfuron (and / or as the methyl ester) and propoxycarbazone (e.g., the sodium salt) and mefenpyr-di-ethyl.

[0143] 4.8 Stabilizers Because the surfactant combinations described herein can improve the stabilization of sulfonylurea herbicides compared to surfactant combinations currently used in the industry, the present invention provides formulators with improved freedom to tailor compositions to specific needs without the need to include stabilizers. Nevertheless, if a regulatory agency requires a certain minimum degree of stability, the liquid compositions of the present invention may contain one or more stabilizers to further improve stabilization and meet those regulatory requirements. Suitable stabilizers include salts of carboxylic acids or inorganic acids, such as diammonium hydrogen phosphate, ammonium acetate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, sodium thiocyanate; urea, thiourea, or derivatives thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid herbicidal composition does not contain urea when it contains nicosulfuron as the sulfonylurea herbicide. In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid herbicidal composition does not contain urea at all. It has been found that in some cases, urea provides less stabilization than many of the stabilizers described herein. Particularly preferred stabilizers include inorganic salts selected from metal carbonates and metal phosphates as disclosed in WO2016 / 102499A1, or inorganic or organic Li salts as disclosed in WO2017 / 220680A1, i.e., the liquid compositions of the present invention may contain any of the salts disclosed in any of these documents, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0144] The total amount of stabilizer, if present, is preferably 0.1% by weight or more, preferably 10% by weight or less, based on the weight of the liquid herbicidal composition.

[0145] Exemplary stabilizers from these documents are listed below.

[0146] 4.8.1 Inorganic salts selected from metal carbonates and metal phosphates Exemplary inorganic salts selected from metal carbonates and metal phosphates include those derived from alkali metals, such as lithium, sodium, and potassium, those derived from alkaline earth metals, such as magnesium and calcium, and those derived from other metals, such as aluminum. Preferred salts for the present invention include sodium phosphate and sodium carbonate in their various forms. Exemplary salts include Na3PO4, Na2CO3, AlPO4, Mg3(PO4)2, and Na2HPO4. Both anhydrous and hydrated forms of metal salts can be used, but the anhydrous form is most preferred in view of improving the chemical stability of sulfonylureas. When present, the total amount of inorganic salts selected from metal carbonates and metal phosphates is preferably 0.1 wt. % or more, preferably 10 wt. % or less, based on the weight of the liquid herbicidal composition.

[0147] The terms "sodium phosphate" and "potassium phosphate" will be understood to include the various forms of sodium phosphate and potassium phosphate, respectively, as well as all anhydrous and hydrated forms thereof. For example, "sodium phosphate" includes monosodium phosphate (anhydrous), monosodium phosphate (monohydrate), monosodium phosphate (dihydrate), disodium phosphate (anhydrous), disodium phosphate (dihydrate), disodium phosphate (heptahydrate), disodium phosphate (octahydrate), disodium phosphate (dodecahydrate), trisodium phosphate (anhydrous, hexagonal), trisodium phosphate (anhydrous, cubic), trisodium phosphate (hemihydrate), trisodium phosphate (hexahydrate), trisodium phosphate (octahydrate), trisodium phosphate (dodecahydrate), monosodium diphosphate (anhydrous), disodium diphosphate (anhydrous), disodium diphosphate (hexahydrate), trisodium diphosphate (anhydrous), trisodium diphosphate (hydrate), trisodium diphosphate (neptahydrate), tetrasodium phosphate (anhydrous), tetrasodium diphosphate (decahydrate), sodium triphosphate, and sodium tetraphosphate. The term "potassium phosphate" includes monopotassium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, and tripotassium phosphate, as well as their anhydrous forms.

[0148] 4.8.2 Lithium salts Organic lithium salts are made of lithium and C1-C 12 The organic lithium salt is preferably a salt of lithium and a C1 to C6 10 It is a salt of an organic acid, more preferably a C1 to C8 organic acid, and even more preferably a C1 to C6 organic acid. 10 Organic acid, C2~C8 organic acid, C4~C 10 Organic acids and salts with C4-C8 organic acids are also contemplated and preferred. The organic acids may be saturated or unsaturated; aliphatic, aromatic, or heterocyclic; and / or linear, branched, or cyclic. 12The use of terms such as "organic acid," as used herein, should be construed as a disclosure of organic acids having each of the possible numbers of carbon atoms in the stated range, in this case, organic acids having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 carbon atoms. For the avoidance of any doubt, when assessing the total number of carbon atoms in an organic acid, the carbon atoms in the carboxylic acid group in the organic acid, as well as any substituents on the organic acid, are counted. Short chain fatty acids (C1-C5) or medium chain fatty acids (C6-C7) are preferred for the stability they provide sulfonylureas while reducing the thickening effect in liquid formulations. 12) are particularly preferred. In this regard, short-chain fatty acids are most preferred. Preferably, the short-chain fatty acid is a C1-C4 organic acid, more preferably a C1-C3 organic acid, and most preferably a C1- or C2-organic acid. The organic acid may have one, two, three, or more carboxyl groups. Derivatives of organic acids are mono-, di-, tri-, or polysubstituted acids along the carbon chain or ring structure. Examples of substituents on the organic acids of the present invention include C1-C6-alkyl, C2-C6-alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl and aralkenyl, hydroxymethyl, C2-C6-hydroxyalkyl, C2-C6-hydroxyalkenyl, aminomethyl, C2-C6-aminoalkyl, cyano, formyl, oxo, thioxo, hydroxyl, mercapto, amino, carboxyl, or imino groups. Preferred substituents are C1-C6-alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl), hydroxymethyl, hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl groups. Examples of organic acids that can be used in the lithium organic acid salts include, but are not limited to, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, lactic acid, citric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, isovaleric acid, lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid, caproic acid, pivalic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, salicylic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, glyceric acid, glyoxylic acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebaceous acid, and the like. cinnamic acid, propiolic acid, crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid, elaidic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, muconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, camphoric acid, phthalic acid (o-, m-, or p-), naphthoic acid, benzoic acid, toluic acid, hydratropic acid, atropic acid, cinnamic acid, isonicotinic acid, nicotinic acid, dicarbamic acid, 4,4'-dicyano-6,6'-dinicotinic acid, 8-carbamoyl-octanoic acid, Examples include 1,2,4-pentanetricarboxylic acid, 2-pyrrolecarboxylic acid, malonaldehyde acid, 4-hydroxyphthalamic acid, 1-pyrazolecarboxylic acid, gallic acid, and propanetricarboxylic acid. It is particularly preferred to use the lithium salts of formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, fumaric acid, salicylic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, and / or tartaric acid, with formic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, and oxalic acid being most preferred.

[0149] Inorganic lithium salts are salts of lithium with inorganic acids. Exemplary inorganic acids include, but are not limited to, HAlO, HAl(OH), HAsO, HAsO, HAsO, HBO, (HBO). n , H2B4O7, HBO3, HBrO3, HBrO2, HBrO, HBrO4, H2CO3, H4CO4, H2C2O6, H2CO4 (or H2CO3H2O2), HClO3, HClO4, HClO2, HClO, HONC, HOCN, HNCO, HIO3, HIO (also is IOH, HIO4), H5IO6, H4I2O9, HNO3, HNO2, H3PO4, H5PO5, HPO3, H3PO3, H4P2O5, HPO2, H3PO2, H4P2O6, H4P2O7, H2SO4, H2SO3, H2S2O3, H2S2O7, H2SO2, H2S x O6 (x = 2 to 6), H6SO6, H2S2O4, H2SO5, H2S2O8, HSO3Cl, HSO3F, H2SiO3 (or SiO2·H2O), H4SiO4, H2Si2O5 (or SiO2·H2O), H4Si3O8, H6Si2O7 (or 2SiO2·3H2O), H[CHB 11 Cl 11 ], H2S, H2CS4, H2CS3, HCN, HSeCN, HSCN, HBF4, H2SiF6, HPF6, HF, HCl, HBr, and HI. Preferably, the inorganic lithium salt is a carbonate, phosphate, sulfate, or halide (preferably F or Cl).

[0150] Lithium salts contemplated for use in the present invention include, by way of example only, the following compounds: lithium acetate, lithium acetate dihydrate, lithium acetoacetate, lithium acetylacetonate, lithium iodoacetate, lithium 2-hydroxybutanoate, lithium molybdate, lithium titanate, lithium manganese oxide, lithium manganese dioxide, lithium iron phosphate, lithium zirconate, lithium iron oxide, lithium D-gluconate, lithium pentaborate, lithium bromide, lithium iodide, lithium chloride, lithium calcium chloride, lithium bicarbonate, lithium carbonate, lithium citrate, lithium hydroxide, lithium manganate, lithium methionate, lithium oxalate, lithium monoxide, lithium oxide, lithium monoorthophosphate, lithium orthophosphite, lithium silicate, lithium disilicate, lithium metasilicate, lithium sodium carbonate carbonate), lithium salt (E,E)-2,4-hexadienoic acid, dilithium fluorophosphate, dilithium fluorophosphite, lithium metaphosphate, trilithium phosphate, trilithium phosphite, lithium propanoate, lithium butanoate, lithium pentanoate, lithium hexanoate, lithium heptanoate, lithium octanoate, lithium nonanoate, lithium decanoate, lithium formate, lithium phosphate (dibasic, monobasic, tribasic), lithium salicylate, lithium sodium phosphate, lithium sulfite, lithium sulfate, dilithium sulfite, lithium thiocyanate, fluoro Lithium orosilicate, dilithium oxalate, lithium beta-hydropyruvate, lithium benzoate, lithium cyclohexanoate, lithium fluoride, lithium aluminate, lithium tetrafluoroborate, lithium thioacetate, monolithium L-glutamate, lithium fumarate, lithium trimethylsilanolate, lithium hydrogen sulfate, lithium pyrophosphate, lithium dihydrogen phosphate, monolithium L-aspartate, lithium bromate, lithium periodate, monolithium D-sucrose, lithium D-aspartate, (R)- Alpha-hydroxymethylaspartic acid lithium salt , lithium salt of ethyl malonate, lithium salt of lactic acid, dilithium thiosulfate, lithium dichloroacetate, lithium dimethylacetate, lithium diethylacetate, lithium dipropyl acetate, lithium metaborate, lithium laurate, lithium caprate, lithium caprylate Lithium, lithium caproate, lithium tetraborate, lithium difluoride, lithium bismuthate, lithium borate, lithium chlorite, lithium hexametaphosphate, lithium hydrogen phosphite, lithium hydrogen selenite, lithium hydrogen sulfite, lithium hydrosulfite, lithium hypochlorite, lithium polyphosphate, lithium polyphosphite, lithium propionate, lithium pyrophosphate, lithium selenate, lithium thiosulfate, lithium thiosulfide, and lithium thiosulfite. It will be understood that the above list includes analogs, homologs, isomers, enantiomers, hydrates, and derivatives thereof.

[0151] Both the anhydrous and hydrated forms of the lithium salt can be used for the purposes of this invention, although the anhydrous form is most preferred in view of improving the chemical stability of the sulfonylurea.

[0152] The total amount of inorganic and C1-C12 organic Li salts, if present, is preferably 0.1 wt. % or more, preferably 10 wt. % or less, based on the weight of the liquid herbicidal composition.

[0153] 4.9 Co-formulants The compositions of the present invention may contain one or more additional excipients, such as thickeners and thixotropic agents, wetting agents, anti-drift agents, adhesives, penetrating agents, preservatives, antifreeze agents, antioxidants, solubilizers, extenders, carriers, colorants, antifoaming agents, fertilizers, evaporation inhibitors, and pH and viscosity modifying agents. In one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid composition contains at least one excipient that is an adjuvant, examples of which include those described in Compendium of Herbicide Adjuvants, Part 12, Southern Illinois University, 2014, or or one of those listed in any previous edition. Examples of commonly used adjuvants include, but are not limited to, paraffin oil, horticultural spray oils (e.g., summer oil), methylated rapeseed oil, methylated soybean oil, highly refined vegetable oils, etc., polyol fatty acid esters, polyethoxylated esters, ethoxylated alcohols, alkyl polysaccharides and blends, amine ethoxylates, sorbitan fatty acid ester ethoxylates, polyethylene glycol esters, alkyl polyglucosides and their derivatives (e.g., esters), organosilicon-based surfactants, ethylene vinyl acetate terpolymers, ethoxylated alkylaryl phosphate esters, etc.

[0154] 4.10 Preparation method The compositions of the present invention can be prepared by known processes, such as mixing the components and grinding the suspended solids or dissolving the solids (for example, as described in WO2016 / 102499A1 or WO2017 / 220680A1). Thus, for example, a premix can be prepared by dissolving soluble auxiliaries and additives in a non-aqueous solvent system (e.g., an organic solvent). Any soluble agrochemically active compounds used can be dissolved in the premix. After the dissolution process, solid sulfonylurea or any other insoluble agrochemically active compounds can be suspended in the mixture. The coarse suspension can optionally be subjected to fine grinding after preliminary grinding. In another embodiment, the solid sulfonylurea and optionally any insoluble components used are suspended in an organic solvent and subjected to grinding. Any soluble active compounds used and any auxiliaries and additives that do not require grinding or are not required for the grinding process can be added after grinding.

[0155] To prepare the mixture, it is possible to use customary mixing equipment, which is temperature-controlled if necessary. For the pre-grinding, for example, high-pressure homogenizers or mills operating on the rotor-stationary principle, such as Ultraturrax homogenizers (e.g., from IKA), or toothed colloid mills (e.g., from Puck or Fryma) can be used. For the fine grinding, it is possible to use, for example, bead mills operating batchwise, such as those from Drais, or bead mills operating continuously, such as those from Bachofen or Eiger. [Example]

[0156] 5. Working Example The following brand name ingredients are used in the examples: Arquad 2.10-80 (Dodecyldimethylammonium Chloride) Ethomeen C / 15 C12,14 Amine 5EO Ethoxylate Soprophor FL TSP16EO phosphate ester, TEA salt Nansa EVM 40 / 2NDL (Nansa EVM 40 / 2NDL) Calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate Synperonic PE / L64 EO / PO block copolymer, 40 %EO Atlas G1086: Sorbitan hexaoleate, 40EO Span 80 Polyoxyethylene (80) Sorbitan Monooleate Etocas 40: Ethoxylated castor oil, 40EO Genapol XM060 Capped isotridecyl alcohol polyglycol ether; 6EO; Me Soprophor 4D384 (tristyrylphenol ethoxylate) Sulfate ester Rhodacal 70 / B (Calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate) Genapol EP 2584 C12-C15 alkoxylated acetone Teru; 8EO and 4PO Atlox 4912: Block copolymer of polyethylene glycol and polyhydroxystearic acid (ABA), approximately Mw 5000 Soprophor BSU: Ethoxylated tristyrylphenol, 16 EO Etocas 10 (Ethoxylated Castor Oil, 10EO) Agrimer AL22: 2-pyrrolidone, 1-ethenylhexadecyl homopolymer.

[0157] Example 1 - Effect of adding surfactants on sulfonylurea stability A number of liquid compositions containing different sulfonylurea herbicides, with or without surfactants, were prepared in the same manner as the oil formulations of WO 2016 / 102499 A1 (but without the addition of inorganic salts). These were tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylureas after two weeks of storage at 54°C. The results are summarized below.

[0158] [Table 1-1]

[0159] [Table 1-2]

[0160] Sulfonylureas were found to be generally stable in isobornyl acetate (OD1-OD3) in the absence of any surfactant. However, the addition of surfactant significantly reduced the stability of sulfonylureas.

[0161] Example 2 - Effect of sulfonylurea concentration on its stability in the presence of surfactants The oil solution was prepared in the same manner as the oil solution in WO2016 / 102499A1 (except for the inorganic salt These were tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylureas after two weeks of storage at 54°C. The results are summarized below.

[0162] [Table 2]

[0163] The percentage degradation of sulfonylurea was found to become more severe as the sulfonylurea concentration decreased.

[0164] Example 3 - Effect of surfactant blends on sulfonylurea stability (1) Oil solutions were prepared in the same manner as those in WO2016 / 102499A1 (but without the addition of inorganic salts). These were tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylureas after two weeks of storage at 54°C. The results are summarized below.

[0165] [Table 3]

[0166] As observed in Example 1, sulfonylureas were generally found to be stable in the absence of any surfactant (OD 16), but the addition of surfactants reduced stability. The choice of surfactant is important. Adding surfactants not conforming to Classes 1-14 caused complete decomposition of the sulfonylurea (OD 17). Stability could be improved by adding surfactants conforming to Classes 1-14 of the present invention (OD 18), but stability was significantly improved when surfactants conforming to Classes 1-14 constituted 80% or more by weight of the total surfactant content (OD 19). Similar stability was found with various combinations of surfactants conforming to Classes 1-14 (OD 20-OD 23).

[0167] Example 4 - Effect of surfactant blends on sulfonylurea stability (2) Oil solutions were prepared in the same manner as those in WO2016 / 102499A1 (but without the addition of inorganic salts). These were tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylureas after two weeks of storage at 54°C. The results are summarized below.

[0168] [Table 4]

[0169] As observed in Example 3, stability can be improved by adding surfactants according to Classes 1-14 of the present invention (OD 26), but stability is significantly improved (OD 27) when surfactants according to Classes 1-14 constitute 80% by weight or more of the total surfactant content. Similar stability has been found with various combinations of surfactants according to Classes 1-14 (OD 28-OD 30).

[0170] Example 5 - Effect of surfactant blends on sulfonylurea stability (3) Oil solutions were prepared in the same manner as those in WO2016 / 102499A1 (but without the addition of inorganic salts). These were tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylureas after two weeks of storage at 54°C. The results are summarized below.

[0171] [Table 5]

[0172] As observed in Examples 4 and 5, stability can be improved by adding three surfactants according to Classes 1-14 of the present invention (OD33), but stability is significantly improved (OD34) when surfactants according to Classes 1-14 constitute 80% by weight or more of the total surfactant content. Similar stability has been found with various combinations of three surfactants according to Classes 1-14 (OD35 and OD36).

[0173] Example 6 - Stability can be further improved by adding salt Oil solutions were prepared in the same manner as those in WO2016 / 102499A1 (but without the addition of inorganic salts). These were tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylureas after two weeks of storage at 54°C. The results are summarized below.

[0174] [Table 6]

[0175] The chemical stabilization of sulfonylureas is further improved by adding inorganic salts selected from metal carbonates and metal phosphates (OD38) or by adding inorganic or C1-C12 organic lithium salts (OD40 and OD42).

[0176] Example 7 - Effect of increasing the amount of surfactant according to classes 1 to 4 Oil solutions were prepared in the same manner as OD63 in WO2017 / 220680A1. These were tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylureas after two weeks of storage at 54°C. The results are summarized below.

[0177] [Table 7]

[0178] Chemical stabilization of sulfonylureas is further improved by ensuring that a surfactant conforming to Classes 1-4 (in this case, Nansa EVM 70 / 2E - calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate) is present in greater amounts than a surfactant conforming to Classes 5-14 (in this case, Atlas G1086 - sorbitan hexaoleate 40EO). Nansa EVM 70 / 2E is commercially supplied in iso-octanol. The amount of each surfactant in OD43 was adjusted to ensure that the total amount of surfactant in the composition remained the same (17.42 wt%) at both OD42 and OD43. At OD43, calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate constituted approximately 60 wt% of the total surfactant content.

[0179] Example 8 - Effect of increasing the amount of surfactant according to classes 1 to 4 Oil solutions were prepared in the same manner as described in WO2017 / 220680A1. These were tested to determine the chemical stability of the sulfonylureas after two weeks of storage at 54°C. The results are summarized below.

[0180] [Table 8]

[0181] Chemical stabilization of sulfonylureas is further improved by ensuring that surfactants according to Classes 1-4 (in this case, Nansa EVM 40 / 2ND, primarily calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate) are present in greater amounts than surfactants according to Classes 5-14 (in this case, Atlas G1086 plus a small amount of alcohol ethoxylate in Nansa EVM 40 / 2ND). As the amount of surfactant according to Classes 1-4 increases, stability improves. The amount of each surfactant at OD45 and OD46 was adjusted to ensure that the total amount of surfactant in the composition remained the same (17.42 wt%) at OD44-OD46. At OD45 and OD46, calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate constituted approximately 60 wt% and 70 wt% of the total surfactant content, respectively. [1] non-aqueous solvent systems; one or more sulfonylurea herbicides, wherein at least one sulfonylurea herbicide is present in the liquid composition in an amount of 10% by weight or less; and two or more surfactants; A liquid herbicidal composition comprising: 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are surfactants from surfactant classes 1 to 14 listed below: (Class 1) alkyl-terminated fatty alcohol alkoxylates; (Class 2) Alkylbenzenesulfonates with non-nitrogen-containing counterions; (Class 3) Metallic stearates; (Class 4) fatty acid-polyalkylene glycol ABA-block copolymers; (Class 5) Fatty alcohol alkoxylates; (Class 6) fatty acid alkoxylates; (Class 7) Ethoxylated castor oil; (Class 8) Sorbitan esters; (Class 9) Ethoxylated sorbitan esters; (Class 10) EO / PO / EO block copolymers; (Class 11) Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates; (Class 12) Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate sulfate esters with non-nitrogen-containing counterions; (Class 13) Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphate esters with non-nitrogen-containing counterions; and (Class 14) Ethoxylated alkyl phosphate esters with non-nitrogen-containing counterions; and wherein each of at least two different surfactant classes 1 to 14 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. [2] The liquid herbicidal composition according to [1], wherein surfactants of classes 1 to 4 together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactants of classes 5 to 14 together account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. [3] The liquid herbicidal composition according to [1] or [2], wherein surfactant classes 1 to 4 together account for 60 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5 to 14 together account for 10 to 40% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition. [4] The liquid herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the at least one sulfonylurea herbicide is present in the liquid composition in an amount of 0.1 to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the liquid composition. [5] The liquid herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the at least one sulfonylurea herbicide is present in the liquid composition in an amount of 0.1 to 1 wt % based on the total weight of the liquid composition. [6] The liquid composition according to any one of [1] to [5], further comprising an inorganic salt selected from metal carbonates and metal phosphates, and / or an inorganic or C1 to C12 organic lithium salt. [7] The liquid herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is 5 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the liquid composition. [8] The liquid herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the total amount of the sulfonylurea herbicide in the liquid composition is 0.1 to 2 wt % based on the total weight of the liquid composition. [9] The sulfonylurea present in an amount of 10% by weight or less is selected from the group consisting of iodosulfuron, halosulfuron, metsulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron, chlorimuron, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, ethametsulfuron, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron, foramsulfuron, imazosulfuron, iofensulfuron, meso The liquid herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the herbicidal agent is selected from sulfuron, metazosulfuron, nicosulfuron, orthosulfamuron, oxasulfuron, primisulfuron, propyrisulfuron, prosulfuron, rimsulfuron, sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron, triasulfuron, tribenuron, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron, and tritosulfuron, or a salt or ester thereof.

[10] The herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to [9], which is formulated as an oil concentrate (OD), a dispersion concentrate (DC), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), or a liquid concentrate (SL).

[11] (1) Class 1 alkyl end-capped aliphatic alcohol alkoxylates are represented by the following formula (I): R 1 -(EO) x (PO) y (BO) z -OR 2 Formula (I) [In the formula, R 1 is a linear or branched C8 to C24 alkyl group, preferably a linear or branched C12 to C15 alkyl group; EO, PO, and BO represent ethoxy (OC2H4), propoxy (OC3H6), and butoxy (OC4H8) groups, respectively, and the EO, PO, and BO groups are arranged randomly or in a block structure; the subscripts x, y, and z are each independently an integer from 0 to 50, provided that the sum of x+y+z is from 1 to 150, preferably from 3 to 50; R 2 is a C1-C6 alkyl group, preferably methyl. Represented by; (2) The Class 2 alkylbenzene sulfonate has the following formula (II): [ka] [In the formula, R 1 is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R 2 is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R 3 is an alkyl group having 8 to 40 carbon atoms, preferably in the para position relative to the SO3M group; M is a monovalent or divalent cation, with the proviso that M does not contain a nitrogen atom. Represented by; (3) The Class 3 metallic stearates are selected from sodium stearate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, or aluminum stearate; (4) Class 4 fatty acid-polyalkylene glycol ABA-block copolymers have the general formula A-COO-B-OOC-A, where A and B are as follows: A is represented by the following formula (IV-A): [ka] [wherein R is hydrogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon group; R1 is hydrogen or a monovalent C1-C24 hydrocarbon group, preferably a C1-C24 alkyl group; R2 is a divalent C1-C24 hydrocarbon group, preferably a C1-C24 alkyl group; n is zero or 1; and p is an integer from zero to 200.] Represented by; B has a molecular weight of at least 500 and is represented by the following formula (IV-B): [ka] [wherein R3 is hydrogen or a C1-C3 alkyl group; and q is an integer of 10 to 500] is a divalent residue of a water-soluble polyalkylene glycol having the formula: (5) The Class 5 fatty alcohol alkoxylate has the following formula (V): R 1 -(EO) x (PO) y (BO) z -OH formula (V) [In the formula, R 1 is a linear or branched C8 to C24 alkyl group, preferably a linear or branched C12 to C15 alkyl group; EO, PO, and BO represent ethoxy (OC2H4), propoxy (OC3H6), and butoxy (OC4H8) groups, respectively, and the EO, PO, and BO groups are arranged randomly or in a block structure; The subscripts x, y, and z are each independently an integer of 0 to 50, provided that the sum of x+y+z is 1 to 150, preferably 3 to 50. Represented by; (6) Class 6 fatty acid alkoxylates are represented by the following formula (VI): R 1 -COO-(EO) x (PO) y (BO) z -R 2 Formula (VI) [In the formula, R1 is a linear or branched C7 to C23 alkyl group, preferably a linear or branched C11 to C17 alkyl group; EO, PO, and BO represent ethoxy (OC2H4), propoxy (OC3H6), and butoxy (OC4H8) groups, respectively, and the EO, PO, and BO groups are arranged randomly or in a block structure; the subscripts x, y, and z are each independently an integer from 0 to 50, provided that the sum of x+y+z is from 1 to 150, preferably from 3 to 50; R 2 is hydrogen (i.e., mono fatty acid alkoxylates) or C(=O)R 3 (i.e., difatty acid alkoxylates), and R 3 is a linear or branched C7 to C23 alkyl group, preferably a linear or branched C11 to C17 alkyl group. Represented by; (7) Class 7 ethoxylated castor oil surfactants have the following formula (VII): [ka] [wherein EO is an ethylene oxide unit; each of a, b, and c independently represents an integer of 0 to 300; and each of x, y, and z independently represents an integer of 1 to 300] or its hydrogenated form; (8) The sorbitan ester of Class 8 is represented by the following formula (VIII): [ka] [In the formula, R 1 is a C10 to C18 saturated or unsaturated fatty acid residue (i.e., -(C=O)-C9 to -(C=O)-C17), and R 2 and R 3 are independently hydrogen or a C10-C18 saturated or unsaturated fatty acid residue. Represented by; (9) Class 9 ethoxylated sorbitan esters are represented by the formula (IX): [ka] [wherein EO is an ethylene oxide unit, and R 1 is a C10 to C18 saturated or unsaturated fatty acid residue (i.e., -(C=O)-C9 to -(C=O)-C17), and R 2 ~R 4 are independently hydrogen or a C10-C18 saturated or unsaturated fatty acid residue, and the degree of ethoxylation is 10 to 40 (i.e., 10≦w+x+y+z≦40), preferably 18 to 22, and more preferably 20. Represented by; (10) The Class 10 EO / PO / EO block copolymer has the following formula (X): R 1 -(EO) x (PO) y (EO) z -R 2 Formula (X) wherein EO is an ethylene oxide unit, PO is a propylene oxide unit, EO and PO are arranged in a block configuration, x and z are independently in the range of 2 to 150, y is in the range of 1 to 100, and R 1 is OH or a linear or branched C1-C20 alkyl or alkenyl group, and R 2 is H or a linear or branched C1-C20 alkyl or alkenyl group. Represented by; (11) Class 11 tristyrylphenol ethoxylates are represented by the following formula (XI): [ka] [In the formula, n is a number of 4 to 150, preferably 10 to 100, and more preferably 15 to 60, and is represented by the formula: Represented by; (12) The Class 12 tristyrylphenol ethoxylate sulfate ester has the following formula (XII): [ka] [wherein n is a number from 4 to 150, preferably from 10 to 100, and more preferably from 15 to 60; R 1 is a cation, where R 1 does not contain a nitrogen atom] Represented by; (13) The tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphate ester of Class 13 is represented by the following formula (XIII): [ka] [In the formula, n is a number from 4 to 150, preferably from 10 to 100, and more preferably from 15 to 60, and R 1 and R 2 are independently cations, provided that R 1 MoR 2 does not contain a nitrogen atom] Represented by; (14) The alkyl ethoxylate phosphate ester of Class 14 is represented by the following formula (XIV): [ka] [In the formula, R 1 is a linear or branched C6 to C24 alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably a linear or branched C8 to C12 alkyl group; R 2 is a linear or branched C6-C24 alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably a linear or branched C8-C12 alkyl group, or alternatively a cation, provided that the cation does not contain a nitrogen atom; R 3 is a cation, with the proviso that the cation does not contain a nitrogen atom; n is 3 to 20; and m is 0 to 20. The herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to

[10] , which is represented by the following formula:

[12] the sulfonylurea herbicide present in an amount of 10% by weight or less is metsulfuron methyl; at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and at least one of surfactant classes 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; The liquid herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein surfactant classes 1 to 4 together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 together account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is selected from surfactant classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13.

[13] the sulfonylurea herbicide present in an amount of 10% by weight or less is thifensulfuron methyl; at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and at least one of surfactant classes 5-14 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; The herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein surfactant classes 1 to 4 together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5 to 14 together account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; and 80% by weight to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is selected from surfactant classes 1 to 14.

[14] the sulfonylurea herbicide present in an amount of 10% by weight or less is chlorimuron ethyl; at least one of surfactant classes 1-4 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and at least one of surfactant classes 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; The herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein surfactant classes 1 to 4 together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 together account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is selected from surfactant classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

[15] the sulfonylurea herbicide present in an amount of 10% by weight or less is bensulfuron; at least one of surfactant classes 2 and 4 comprises 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and at least one of surfactant classes 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14 comprises 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; The herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein surfactant classes 2 and 4 together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14 together account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is selected from surfactant classes 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14.

[16] the sulfonylurea herbicide present in an amount of 10% by weight or less is sulfosulfuron; at least one of surfactant classes 2 and 4 comprises 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and at least one of surfactant classes 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14 comprises 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; The herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein surfactant classes 2 and 4 together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14 together account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is selected from surfactant classes 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, and 14.

[17] the sulfonylurea herbicide present in an amount of 10% by weight or less is rimsulfuron; at least one of surfactant classes 2 and 4 comprises 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and at least one of surfactant classes 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13 and 14 comprises 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; The herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein surfactant classes 2 and 4 together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14 together account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is selected from surfactant classes 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14.

[18] the sulfonylurea herbicide present in an amount of 10% by weight or less is amidosulfuron; at least one of surfactant classes 2 and 4 comprises 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and at least one of surfactant classes 5, 7 and 11 comprises 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; The herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein surfactant classes 2 and 4 together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5, 7, and 11 together account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is selected from surfactant classes 2, 4, and 5, 7, and 11.

[19] the sulfonylurea herbicide present in an amount of 10% by weight or less is pyrazosulfuron; at least one of surfactant classes 1, 2 and 4 comprises 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and at least one of surfactant classes 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13 and 14 comprises 10% or more by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; The herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein surfactant classes 1, 2, and 4 together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14 account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are selected from surfactant classes 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, and 14.

[20] the sulfonylurea herbicide present in an amount of 10% by weight or less is triflusulfuron; at least one of surfactant classes 2 and 4 comprises 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and at least one of surfactant classes 5 and 11 comprises 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; The herbicidal composition according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein surfactant classes 2 and 4 together account for 30 to 90% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition, and surfactant classes 5 and 11 together account for 10 to 70% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition; and 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition is selected from surfactant classes 2, 4, 5, and 11.

Claims

[Claim 1] non-aqueous solvent systems; one or more sulfonylurea herbicides, wherein at least one sulfonylurea herbicide is present in the liquid composition in an amount of 10% by weight or less; and two or more surfactants; A liquid herbicidal composition comprising: From 80% to 100% by weight of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition are surfactants from surfactant classes 1 to 14 listed below: (Class 1) Alkyl-terminated fatty alcohol alkoxylates; (Class 2) Alkylbenzene sulfonates having non-nitrogen-containing counterions; (Class 3) Metal stearates; (Class 4) Fatty acid-polyalkylene glycol ABA-block copolymers; (Class 5) Fatty alcohol alkoxylates; (Class 6) Fatty acid alkoxylates; (Class 7) Ethoxylated castor oil; (Class 8) Sorbitan esters; (Class 9) Ethoxylated sorbitan esters; (Class 10) EO / PO / EO block copolymers; (Class 11) Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates; (Class 12) Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate sulfates with non-nitrogen-containing counterions; (Class 13) Tristyrylphenol ethoxylate phosphate esters having non-nitrogen-containing counterions; and (Class 14) Ethoxylated alkyl phosphate esters having non-nitrogen-containing counterions; and a surfactant selected from the group consisting of The liquid herbicidal composition, wherein each of at least two different surfactant classes 1 to 14 accounts for 10% by weight or more of the total amount of surfactants in the liquid composition.

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