Method for suppressing water evaporation and use of evaporation inhibitor

Abstract

Provided is a method for inhibiting water evaporation using a compound that is highly safe and has a good water evaporation inhibiting effect. A method for suppressing water evaporation comprises applying a sulfite ester compound to water, the structural formula of which is: JPEG0007775518000023.jpg22170 where R1 and R2 are selected from halogens, and R3 and R 3’ , R4, R 4’ are each independently selected from hydrogen, a C1-C5 alkyl group, and a C1-C5 alkenyl group, and R5 is selected from halogen. Application of the sulfite ester compound significantly reduces the evaporation rate, making it suitable for application methods such as foliar spray and drip irrigation. The method of the present invention has the advantages of being simple to operate, environmentally friendly, and cost-controllable, making it suitable for agricultural water conservation and precise drug administration in arid regions.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of agricultural chemistry, and in particular to a method for inhibiting water evaporation and the use of evaporation inhibitors. [Background technology]

[0002] Agriculture worldwide is facing the challenges of both increasing water resource shortages and climate change. According to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, agricultural water accounts for 70% of global freshwater consumption, and traditional irrigation methods have high evaporation losses of 50% to 70%, exacerbating regional water resource crises. Against the backdrop of climate change, extreme heat and dryness are common, further threatening crop water balance and yield stability. How to improve water use efficiency through technological innovation is a key issue in ensuring food security and the sustainable development of agriculture.

[0003] In an attempt to suppress water evaporation, the use of evaporation inhibitors has been reported.

[0004] Evaporation control agents, substances that reduce the rate of water evaporation through physical or chemical mechanisms, have attracted attention in recent years. Their mechanisms of action include, but are not limited to, the formation of a hydrophobic film layer on the soil or leaf blade surface, regulating plant stomatal behavior, or enhancing root water uptake. At the same time, improving droplet evaporative resistance can prevent the water from evaporating too quickly from the medicinal solution deposited on the leaf surface before the active ingredient can be fully absorbed by the leaf blade or target, thereby affecting the absorption and utilization of the active ingredient and its efficacy. Previous studies have shown that evaporation control agents can reduce soil water evaporation by 30% to 60%, significantly extending the irrigation interval, and demonstrating significant water-saving and water-increasing effects, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.

[0005] However, different evaporation prevention agents have their own limitations. Current evaporation prevention agents mainly include four types: vegetable oil, mineral oil, silicone, and surfactant. Their performance barriers and environmental risks are the main obstacles restricting the accurate and effective use of pesticides. Vegetable oil agents are easily oxidized and decomposed by light exposure, and are highly environmentally sensitive. They are prone to separation from the chemical solution under dry conditions, which can cause crop damage. Mineral oil agents have high viscosity, which increases the particle size of the mist, affecting penetration, and are difficult to biodegrade, making them prone to soil pollution. Silicone agents significantly reduce surface tension, but their strong volatility causes rapid droplet contraction, and at the same time, small mist particles are prone to drift. Surfactant agents have problems with strong biological toxicity and soil adsorption, and some synthetic components are also ecologically harmful.

[0006] JPEG0007775518000002.jpg57170

[0007] Therefore, it is important to constantly discover or provide new products that are highly safe and have a good moisture evaporation suppressing effect.

[0008] Sulfite compounds are currently used for agricultural mite control. For example, CN118373760A discloses many structurally improved sulfite compounds that exhibit superior mite control effects to propargite. However, there have been no reports of using such compounds to inhibit water evaporation. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention is the first to discover the water evaporation inhibitory effect of sulfite ester compounds, thereby broadening the range of applications of sulfite ester compounds and providing a new option as an evaporation inhibitor in agriculture.

[0010] The present invention provides a method for inhibiting water evaporation by applying a sulfite ester compound to water.

[0011] The structural formula of the sulfite ester compound is: JPEG0007775518000003.jpg26170, provided that R1 and R2 are selected from halogen; R3, R3', R4, and R4' are each independently selected from hydrogen, a C1-C5 alkyl group, and a C1-C5 alkenyl group; R5 is selected from halogen.

[0012] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, R1, R2 are selected from Cl, and R5 is selected from F.

[0013] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, R3 and R3' are selected from hydrogen, and R4 and R4' are each independently selected from hydrogen, -CH3, -CH2CH3, and -CH=CH2.

[0014] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the sulfite-based compound is selected from one or a combination of two or more of the following: JPEG0007775518000004.jpg50170

[0015] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the sulfite-based compound is selected from one or a combination of two or more of the following: JPEG0007775518000005.jpg24170

[0016] In the present invention, the sulfite ester compound exhibits a significant moisture evaporation suppression effect over a wide temperature range (20° C. to 50° C.), and is particularly applicable to high-temperature, dry environments.

[0017] In the present invention, when the sulfite compound or its product is prepared as a solution and used to inhibit water evaporation, the concentration of the sulfite compound in the solution can be selected according to actual requirements.

[0018] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the application concentration of the sulfite ester compound is 0.001% (w / w) or more.

[0019] In another specific embodiment of the present invention, the application concentration of the sulfite ester compound is 0.001% to 50% (w / w).

[0020] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, when applied, the composition further comprises a surfactant or / and a solvent.

[0021] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, when applied, the weight ratio of the sulfite ester compound to the surfactant is 1:0.1-20, and the concentration of the surfactant is 0.001% (w / w) or more; the remainder is the solvent.

[0022] In some embodiments of the present invention, the surfactant is one or a combination of two or more selected from ethoxylated castor oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, saponin, ethoxylated alcohol, ethoxylated fatty acid ester, alkoxylated diol, ethoxylated fatty acid, carboxylated alcohol, carboxylic acid, fatty acid, ethoxylated alkylphenol, fatty acid ester, sodium dodecyl sulfide, and Tween; The solvent is one or a combination of two or more selected from water, ethanol, isopropanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, acetophenone, water, glycerin, castor oil, ethoxylated alcohol, ethoxylated amide, glyceride, butanol, 1-propanol, hexanol, other alcohols, dimethyl ether, and polyethylene glycol.

[0023] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the sulfite-based compound is used as an agricultural product, and the agricultural product further comprises one or more of an auxiliary dispersant, a wetting agent, a binder, an emulsifier, a stabilizer, and a solvent.

[0024] In the present invention, dosage forms include, but are not limited to, emulsifiable concentrates, aqueous solutions, aqueous emulsions, soluble concentrates, microemulsifiable concentrates, suspensions, oil suspensions, microcapsule suspensions, mother liquors, and the like.

[0025] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, agricultural products prepared from the sulfite-based compounds are used in combination with foliar fertilizers, water-soluble fertilizers, compound fertilizers, pesticides, plant regulators, biostimulants, and soil conditioners.

[0026] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, when used, the sulfite compound or prepared agricultural product is used as a seed treatment, a foliar spray, or a root irrigation; preferably as a foliar spray.

[0027] The present invention further provides a water evaporation inhibiting composition containing the sulfite ester compound.

[0028] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the composition further comprises an agriculturally acceptable carrier or adjuvant.

[0029] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the carrier is water or an organic solvent, and the auxiliary agent comprises a dispersant, a wetting agent, a binder, an emulsifier, or a stabilizer.

[0030] The present invention further provides an evaporation inhibitor in which the active ingredient comprises a sulfite compound.

[0031] The structural formula of the sulfite ester compound is: JPEG0007775518000006.jpg22170, provided that R1 and R2 are selected from halogen; R3, R3', R4, and R4' are each independently selected from hydrogen, a C1-C5 alkyl group, and a C1-C5 alkenyl group; R5 is selected from halogen.

[0032] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, R1, R2 are selected from Cl, and R5 is selected from F.

[0033] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, R3 and R3' are selected from hydrogen, and R4 and R4' are each independently selected from hydrogen, -CH3, -CH2CH3, and -CH=CH2.

[0034] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the sulfite-based compound is selected from one or a combination of two or more of the following: JPEG0007775518000007.jpg50170

[0035] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the sulfite-based compound is selected from one or a combination of two or more of the following: JPEG0007775518000008.jpg24170 [Effects of the Invention]

[0036] (1) Efficient moisture evaporation inhibition: Within 30 minutes at 30°C, the droplet evaporation rate decreased from 48.70% to 24.06% for the blank group, achieving an inhibition efficiency of over 50%. Stable inhibition effect was maintained even at high temperatures (40°C), where the evaporation rate decreased from 67.78% to 33.02%. (2) Environmental friendliness and synergistic effects: The composition does not contain heavy metals or persistent components, and there is no risk of phytotoxicity to plants. After being mixed with surfactants, the droplet spreading area increases by 25% to 30%, and the pesticide utilization rate improves by 10% to 15%, achieving both water saving and precise pesticide application effects. (3) Economic applicability and operational flexibility: The synthesis process is simple (three-step reaction, yield ≥ 70%), and raw material costs are low; it can be applied in various application methods such as foliar spray and drip irrigation, and is suitable for complex agricultural environments such as dry and high temperatures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] The inhibitory effect of different compounds on droplet evaporation (hanging drop method). [Figure 2] The inhibitory effect of different compounds on droplet evaporation (sitting drop method). [Figure 3] 1 shows the inhibitory effect of different concentrations of Compound 1 on droplet evaporation. [Figure 4] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The technical aspects of the present invention will be described below clearly and completely, but it is clear that the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Any other embodiments that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without any creative work are all included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] "Suppression of water evaporation" according to the present invention means a reduction in water loss due to evaporation.

[0040] The "C1 to C5 alkyl group" according to the present invention is a linear or branched saturated alkyl group, and includes at least -CH3, -CH2CH3, -CH2CH2CH3, -CH2(CH3)2, -CH2CH2CH2CH3, -C(CH3)3, -CH2C(CH3)3, -CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3, etc.

[0041] The "C1 to C5 alkenyl group" according to the present invention includes at least -CH=CH2, -CH2-CH=CH2, -CH2CH2-CH=CH2, -CH2CH2CH2-CH=CH2, and the like.

[0042] "Halogen" according to the present invention is selected from F, Cl, Br, I.

[0043] The intermediate compounds of the present invention can be prepared by various synthetic methods familiar to those skilled in the art, including the specific embodiments enumerated herein, embodiments obtained by combining them with other chemical synthetic methods, and equivalent alternatives familiar to those skilled in the art, and preferred embodiments include, but are not limited to, the examples of the present invention.

[0044] The chemical reactions of the specific embodiments of the present invention are carried out in a suitable solvent, which must be suitable for the chemical reactions of the present invention and the reagents and materials required. To obtain the compounds of the present invention, the synthetic steps or reaction schemes may need to be modified or selected by those skilled in the art based on the existing embodiments.

[0045] In the present invention, the application concentration of the sulfite ester compound is 0.001% (w / w) or more, for example, 0.001%, 0.004%, 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, You can choose from 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, etc.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present invention, the application concentration of the sulfite ester compound can be selected from the range of 0.001% to 50% (w / w).

[0047] In another embodiment of the present invention, the application concentration of the sulfite ester compound can be selected from the range of 0.001% to 10% (w / w).

[0048] In another embodiment of the present invention, the application concentration of the sulfite ester compound can be selected from the range of 0.001% to 5% (w / w).

[0049] In another embodiment of the present invention, the application concentration of the sulfite ester compound can be selected from the range of 0.001% to 1% (w / w).

[0050] In another embodiment of the present invention, the application concentration of the sulfite ester compound can be selected from the range of 0.001% to 0.5% (w / w).

[0051] In another embodiment of the present invention, the application concentration of the sulfite ester compound can be selected from the range of 0.001% to 0.1% (w / w).

[0052] In another embodiment of the present invention, the application concentration of the sulfite ester compound can be selected from the range of 0.001% to 0.05% (w / w).

[0053] In the present invention, "w / w" refers to weight by weight, i.e., the percentage of the mass of the solute relative to the total mass of the solution. For example, 0.05% (w / w) means that 100 g of the solution contains 0.05 g of the target compound, and the remainder is solvent or auxiliary agent.

[0054] Suitable surfactants can be selected by those skilled in the art according to the actual application requirements. Examples of surfactants that can be used in some embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated castor oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, saponin, ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated fatty acid esters, alkoxylated diols, ethoxylated fatty acids, carboxylated alcohols, carboxylic acids, fatty acids, ethoxylated alkylphenols, fatty acid esters, sodium dodecyl sulfide, Tween, other fatty acid-based surfactants, other natural or synthetic surfactants, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the surfactant is a nonionic surfactant. In some embodiments, the surfactant is an ionic surfactant. The selection of a suitable surfactant depends on the relevant application and use conditions, and suitable surfactants are known to those skilled in the art.

[0055] In some embodiments of the present invention, the surfactant is selected from Tweens, common Tween designations include, but are not limited to, Tween-20, Tween-60, and Tween-80.

[0056] In some embodiments of the present invention, the weight ratio of the sulfite ester compound to the surfactant when applied is 1:0.1 to 1:20, for example, 1:0.1, 1:0.5, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, or 1:20.

[0057] In some embodiments of the invention, when applied, the concentration of the surfactant is 0.001% (w / w) or more, for example, 0.001%, 0.004%, 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.05%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, You can choose from 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, etc.

[0058] In some embodiments of the present invention, when applied, the application concentration of the surfactant can be selected from 0.001% to 50% (w / w).

[0059] In some embodiments of the present invention, when applied, the application concentration of the surfactant can be selected from 0.001% to 10% (w / w).

[0060] In another embodiment of the present invention, when applied, the application concentration of the surfactant can be selected from 0.001% to 5% (w / w).

[0061] In another embodiment of the present invention, when applied, the application concentration of the surfactant can be selected from 0.001% to 1% (w / w).

[0062] In another embodiment of the present invention, when applied, the application concentration of the surfactant can be selected from 0.001% to 0.5% (w / w).

[0063] In another embodiment of the present invention, when applied, the application concentration of the surfactant can be selected from 0.001% to 0.1% (w / w).

[0064] In some embodiments of the invention, when applied, the proportion of solvent is greater than 1% (w / w), for example, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 100%, 101%, 102%, 103%, 104%, 105%, 106%, 107%, 108%, 109%, 110%, 111%, 112%, 113%, 114%, 115%, 116%, 117%, 118%, You can choose from %, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%, 99.9%, 99.99%, etc.

[0065] In another embodiment of the present invention, the proportion of the solvent when applied may be 50-99.99% (w / w).

[0066] Dispersants are chemical additives that reduce interparticle interaction forces, thereby promoting uniform dispersion of solid particles in a liquid or substrate. In agricultural formulations, dispersants are commonly used in suspensions (SC) and granules (GR). For example, in aqueous suspensions, dispersants (e.g., sodium lignosulfonate or polycarboxylates) stably disperse ultrafine particles (particle size <4 μm) of solid pharmaceutical ingredients in water, preventing particle aggregation and precipitation, thereby ensuring uniform distribution of the drug solution during application. In granules, dispersants aid in uniform mixing of the pharmaceutical ingredients and carriers (e.g., viscosity), preventing ingredient segregation during the granulation process, and ensuring consistency of the active ingredient within the granules.

[0067] Wetting agents are surfactants that reduce the surface tension of liquids, thereby enhancing the wetting and penetration of chemical solutions onto solid surfaces. Their primary role is to promote the rapid dispersion of hydrophobic powders or particles in water, improve uniformity of chemical solution distribution on leaves, and prevent droplet rebound. For example, in wettable powders (WP), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) rapidly wets imidacloprid powder to form a suspension; in foliar applications, saponin, a natural wetting agent, can improve chemical solution adhesion to waxy leaf blades and reduce runoff.

[0068] Binders are additives that physically or chemically increase the mechanical strength of particles or powders, preventing them from breaking or generating dust. In granules (GR), binders (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, or starch) bind the active ingredient to the carrier (e.g., diatomaceous earth) to form a strong particle structure. For example, adding polyvinyl alcohol as a binder to herbicide granules significantly increases the particle hardness, reducing the rate of dusting during transportation and slowing the disintegration of the particles in the field, thereby extending the efficacy of the herbicide.

[0069] Emulsifiers are surfactants that reduce the interfacial tension between oil and water, facilitating the mixing of two phases and forming a stable emulsion. In emulsifiable concentrates (ECs), emulsifiers (e.g., Tween-80, AEO-9, or polyoxyethylene alkylphenol ethers) dissolve a high concentration of the active ingredient in an organic solvent (e.g., xylene) and then mix with water to form a uniform emulsion. For example, adding Tween-80 to a chlorpyrifos emulsifiable concentrate forms a stable emulsion after dilution, avoiding the oil-water layer and ensuring uniform coverage of the drug solution on the crop surface. Emulsifiers are also used in microemulsifiable concentrates (MEs), which reduce interfacial tension to achieve nano-level emulsion dispersion.

[0070] Stabilizers are functional additives that maintain the chemical stability (e.g., preventing degradation) and physical stability (e.g., preventing sedimentation and stratification) of formulations. In suspensions (SCs), stabilizers (e.g., xanthan gum, aluminum magnesium silicate, or bentonite) prevent the settling or aggregation of solid particles, extending their shelf life. For example, adding xanthan gum to fungicide suspensions significantly improves the stability of the suspension and prevents stratification during storage. In granules, stabilizers (e.g., the antioxidant BHT or the light stabilizer UV-326) prevent oxidation and photodegradation of the active ingredient within the particles, ensuring the durability of the drug's efficacy. For example, insecticide granules containing BHT can maintain the activity of the active ingredient even in high-temperature environments.

[0071] Emulsifiable concentrates are a type of agricultural formulation that consist of a highly concentrated active ingredient dissolved in a solvent and an emulsifier added. They are generally diluted with a large amount of water to form a stable emulsion, which is then sprayed. Low-volume or ultra-low-volume sprays are also possible. They can be used directly or diluted with water before spraying.

[0072] Aqueous preparations are solutions of drug substances, in which the drug is uniformly dispersed in water in an ionic or molecular state. The drug concentration depends on the water solubility of the drug substance, which is generally the maximum solubility, and is diluted by adding water when used.

[0073] Aqueous emulsions are formulations in which liquid drug substances, obtained by liquid or solvent blending, are uniformly dispersed in water as small droplets of 0.5 to 1.5 μm in size. They have a milky appearance. They consist of active ingredients, emulsifiers, dispersants, and antifreeze agents. The active ingredient typically needs to be water-soluble (water solubility) below 1000 mg / L. Emulsifiers reduce surface and interfacial tension, dispersing the oil phase into small droplets that remain stable in the aqueous phase. Dispersants and thickeners improve low-temperature and freeze-thaw stability, and antifreeze agents improve the formulation's low-temperature stability.

[0074] Solubilisers are agricultural formulations in which the active ingredient is dissolved in a suitable solvent to form a homogeneous, clear liquid formulation. The active ingredient in such formulations generally has good water solubility or high solubility in the particular solvent.

[0075] Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable, isotropic, transparent or translucent liquid dosage forms. They are colloidal dispersions with particle sizes of 0.01-0.1 μm formed by appropriately combining ingredients such as active pharmaceutical ingredients, surfactants, cosurfactants, and water. Microemulsions have high stability and are less susceptible to phenomena such as layer separation and precipitation during storage. Their transparent or translucent appearance resembles a microemulsion, allowing them to disperse more uniformly in water during use, forming a stable emulsion and facilitating accurate measurement and dilution.

[0076] Suspensions are preparations in which solid drug substances are uniformly dispersed in water as fine particles of 4 μm or less. Their international designation is SC. They have a fine particle size, typically 0.1–3 μm, and a high suspension rate. Suspensions are divided into two types: aqueous suspensions and oil suspensions. Aqueous suspensions use water as the suspension medium, while oil suspensions use oils and do not contain water. Common oils are vegetable oils, such as corn oil and rapeseed oil. Suspensions do not require the use of organic solvents and are the preferred dosage form for processing solid drug substances. Suspensions are a mixture of solid powder and liquid suspended in water. They require shaking and dilution with water before use before spraying. Suspensions are easy to transport and dilute, can be sprayed evenly, and have good adhesion and long-lasting efficacy.

[0077] Oil suspensions are formulations in which water-insoluble pesticide active ingredients are uniformly dispersed in the oil phase medium in the form of fine particles. They mainly consist of the active ingredient, oil carrier, dispersant, emulsifier, thickener, etc. The oil carrier, typically vegetable or mineral oil, provides a dispersion medium for the active ingredient. The function of the dispersant and emulsifier is to uniformly disperse and stabilize the active ingredient particles in the oil phase, preventing particle aggregation and sedimentation. The thickener adjusts the viscosity of the formulation, imparting good flowability and stability.

[0078] Microcapsule suspensions are dosage forms in which active ingredients are encapsulated in tiny capsule walls to form microcapsules with a uniform particle size, which are then suspended in an aqueous phase. They consist of various components, including active pharmaceutical ingredients, capsule wall materials, emulsifiers, dispersants, solvents, and water. Microcapsule suspensions have many advantages. First, they can effectively extend the duration of drug release, and the gradual release effect of the capsule walls allows the drug to exert its efficacy over a long period of time. Second, they can reduce the toxicity and irritation of drugs. Since the active ingredient is encapsulated, direct contact with the external environment and living organisms is reduced, making them safer for humans, animals, and beneficial organisms.

[0079] A mother liquor is a concentrated system formed by premixing active ingredients, solvents, and auxiliary agents in specific proportions, and its appearance may be a clear solution, suspension, or viscous paste, depending on the ingredients. For example, an emulsion mother liquor consists of an active ingredient (e.g., pyrethroids), a solvent (xylene), and an emulsifier (e.g., polyoxyethylene alkylphenol ether), and is diluted with water to form a spray solution when used.

[0080] In the present invention, sulfite compounds can be used in combination with foliar fertilizers, water-soluble fertilizers, compound fertilizers, pesticides, plant regulators, biostimulants, and soil conditioners, and are suitable for application methods such as foliar spray, seed treatment, and root irrigation, thereby achieving a comprehensive increase in agricultural production. (1) Mechanism of synergistic combination: When combined with foliar fertilizers or pesticides, the compounds inhibit evaporation, thereby extending the droplet residence time and increasing the absorption efficiency of nutrients or active ingredients. For example, spraying it on tomatoes together with humic acid foliar fertilizer can improve fruit quality; when used in drip irrigation with water-soluble fertilizer, it forms a water-retaining barrier on the soil surface, optimizing the sustained release of nitrogen fertilizer and reducing the amount of irrigation required; when used in combination with pesticides, it delays the drying of droplets, improving pest control effectiveness in high-temperature environments while reducing application frequency and the risk of residues; (2) Multi-route application effects: foliar spray (preferred): forms a uniform molecular film, reducing water evaporation and transpiration stress, for example, protecting crops from burns in hot and dry areas; seed treatment: its film-forming properties promote germination and root development, for example, significantly enhancing drought resistance and soil-borne disease resistance after soaking wheat seeds; root irrigation application: builds a water-retaining layer in the soil, extending the effective water-fertilizer cycle and, for example, promoting healthy root growth when applied to corn fields.

[0081] "Application" according to the present invention refers to the technical operation of adding a specific substance (e.g., fertilizer, pesticide, conditioner, etc.) to soil, plants, or the environment by artificial or mechanical means to achieve a purpose such as improving crop growth conditions, controlling pests and diseases, regulating soil properties, or optimizing agricultural production.

[0082] The "foliar fertilizer" of the present invention is a fertilizer that is applied to the leaves of plants by spraying, absorbed directly into the leaf blade, and participates in plant metabolism. Its characteristic is that it bypasses the soil and acts directly on the plant body, rapidly replenishing nutrients. It is particularly used when root absorption is limited or when nutrient deficiencies need to be compensated for in a timely manner. For example, a water-soluble solution containing amino acids and trace elements falls into this category.

[0083] The "water-soluble fertilizer" of the present invention is a multi-element compound fertilizer that is completely soluble in water and typically contains major elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as medium and trace elements (e.g., calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.), with some organic components such as amino acids and humic acids added. It is suitable for integrated water-fertilizer techniques such as irrigation and drip irrigation, and has fast-acting properties, flexible formulation, and high utilization efficiency.

[0084] The "compound fertilizer" of the present invention is a compound fertilizer containing at least two of the three nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The nutrient ratio is constant, making it suitable for soil basal application and complementary to foliar fertilizers and water-soluble fertilizers. For example, potassium dihydrogen phosphate (containing phosphorus and potassium) is an example of this.

[0085] "Pesticides" according to the present invention are chemical or biological preparations used to prevent, eliminate, or control agricultural and forestry pests and to regulate plant growth. They include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, plant growth regulators, and other types. The difference between pesticides and foliar fertilizers is that pesticides are primarily applied to control pests, while foliar fertilizers are primarily applied to supply nutrients. However, the two may be mixed and applied to improve efficiency.

[0086] "Plant regulators" according to the present invention are active substances that affect plant development by regulating physiological processes (e.g., growth, flowering, and fruiting). They include natural hormones (e.g., auxins and gibberellins) and synthetic analogs, but are distinct from fertilizers in that their function is focused on physiological regulation rather than nutrient supply. For example, chitosan, as a biostimulant, can enhance plant stress tolerance.

[0087] A "biostimulant" according to the present invention is a substance or microorganism that improves plant growth by promoting nutrient uptake, increasing abiotic stress tolerance (e.g., drought, salt-alkali), or improving plant quality.

[0088] The "soil conditioner" of the present invention is a material for improving the physical, chemical or biological properties of soil, such as adjusting pH, increasing organic matter, or promoting the activity of beneficial microorganisms, and its main function is to optimize the soil environment rather than providing nutrients directly.

[0089] As used herein, "comprise" or "containing" is to be construed in its open-ended sense, i.e., specifying the presence of certain mentioned features, elements, steps or components, but not excluding the presence or addition of further features, elements, steps or components.

[0090] The "solvent" used in the present invention can be selected from water, ketones, alcohols, aldehydes, ethers, esters or carboxylic acids and may include non-aryl ketones, non-aryl alcohols, non-aryl aldehydes, non-aryl esters, non-aryl carboxylic acids, aryl alcohols, aryl-alkyl alcohols, aryl aldehydes, aryl-alkyl ketones, aryl-aryl ketones, aryl carboxylic acids, aryl-alkyl esters, aryl-aryl esters, aryl-alkyl ethers, aryl-aryl ethers and / or combinations thereof.

[0091] In some embodiments, the "organic solvent" can be selected from hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, oxygen-containing solvents, naturally occurring solvents, special function solvents, and their composites, such as n-hexane, toluene, dichloromethane, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, castor oil, turpentine, etc.

[0092] In some embodiments, the solvent includes water, ethanol, isopropanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, acetophenone, glycerin, castor oil, ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated amides, glycerides, butanol, 1-propanol, hexanol, other alcohols, dimethyl ether, polyethylene glycol, and the like.

[0093] <Example 1> Synthesis of sulfite ester compounds (1) Synthesis of Compound 1 JPEG0007775518000009.jpg23170 Step 1: JPEG0007775518000010.jpg25170 2,4-Dichlorophenol (1 g, 6.2 mmol) was placed in a flask and dissolved in 20 mL of DMF. Propylene oxide (722 mg, 7.6 mmol) and cesium carbonate (8 g, 24.8 mmol) were added, and the mixture was heated in an oil bath at 100 °C. After 6 h, the reaction was monitored for completion by TLC. 100 mL of water was added, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (30 mL x 3). The organic phase was collected, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, concentrated under reduced pressure, and purified to give compound iii-1 (989 mg, colorless, transparent liquid).

[0094] Step 2: Thionyl chloride (803 mg, 6.8 mmol) was placed in a flask and dissolved in 20 mL of dichloromethane. The mixture was then transferred to a 0°C ice bath and stirred. Compound iii-1 (989 mg, 4.5 mmol) was then added dropwise. After the addition was complete, the mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 10 hours. After monitoring the completion of the reaction by TLC, the reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain crude compound v-1 as a pale yellow oil.

[0095] Step 3: Compound vi-1 (346 mg, 5.4 mmol) was placed in a flask and triethylamine (683 mg, 6.8 mmol) was added. The mixture was then transferred to a 0 °C ice bath and stirred. Compound v-1 (1269 mg, 4.5 mmol) was then added dropwise. After the addition was complete, the mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 6 hours. After monitoring the reaction completion by TLC, 100 mL of water was added to the reaction mixture, which was then extracted with dichloromethane (30 mL x 3). The organic phase was then collected, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, concentrated under reduced pressure, and purified by column chromatography to obtain compound 1 (902 mg, homogeneous liquid).

[0096] 1 H NMR(400MHz,CDCl3)δ 7.39(d,J=2.5Hz,1H),7.20(dd,J=8.8,2.5Hz,1H),6.85(d,J=8.8Hz,1H),5.01-4.93(m,1H),4.74-4.66(m,1H),4.63-4.55(m,1 H),4.40-4.31(m,1H),4.31-4.22(m,1H),4.10(dd,J=10.0,6.3Hz,1H),4.02(dd,J=10.0,4.3Hz,1H),1.52(d,J=6.5Hz,3H)ppm. HRMS(ESI)Calcd. For C 11 H 14 Cl2FO4SNa + [M+Na] + 352.9768;Found:352.9786,354.9758.

[0097] (2) Synthesis of Compound 2 JPEG0007775518000013.jpg27170 Compound 2 was synthesized by referring to the synthesis method of Compound 1, replacing propylene oxide in Step 1 with ethylene carbonate, and going through Steps 2 and 3.

[0098] 1 H NMR(400MHz,CDCl3)δ 7.31(d,J=2.5Hz,1H),7.12(dd,J=8.8,2.5Hz,1H),6.78(d,J=8.8Hz,1H),4. 65-4.62(m,1H),4.53-4.49(m,1H),4.34-4.30(m,2H),4.25-4.18(m,3H)ppm. HRMS(ESI)Calcd. For C 10 H 11 O4Cl2FS + [M+H] + 316.9739;Found:316.09658.

[0099] (3) Synthesis of Compound 3 JPEG0007775518000014.jpg27170 Referring to the synthesis method of compound 1, propylene oxide in step 1 is replaced with 1,2-butylene oxide, and compound 3 is synthesized through steps 2 and 3.

[0100] 1 H NMR(400MHz,CDCl3)δ 7.32-7.29(m,1H),7.14-7.09(m,1H),6.85 -6.81(m,1H),4.75-3.96(m,7H),1.86-1.66(m,2H),0.98(t,J=6.7Hz,3H)ppm. HRMS(ESI)Calcd. For C 12 H 15 O4Cl2FS + [M+H] + 344.0052;Found:344.0026.

[0101] (4) Synthesis of Compound 4 JPEG0007775518000015.jpg27170 Referring to the synthesis method of compound 1, compound 4 is synthesized by replacing propylene oxide in step 1 with epoxybutene and going through steps 2 and 3.

[0102] 1 H NMR(400MHz,CDCl3)δ 7.31(dd,J=2.6,1.4Hz,1H),7.11(dd,J=8.8,2.5Hz,1H),6.77(dd,J=8.8,1.2Hz,1H),5.95-5.87(m,1H),5.48(d,J=17.2,Hz ,1H),5.39-5.33(m,1H),5.17-5.10(m,1H),4.65-4.56(m,1H),4.54-4.45(m,1H),4.40-4.12(m,2H),4.06-3.97(m,2H)ppm.

[0103] (5) Synthesis of Compound 5 JPEG0007775518000016.jpg27170 Referring to the synthesis method of compound 1, compound 5 is synthesized by replacing propylene oxide in step 1 with methylpropylene oxide and going through steps 2 and 3.

[0104] 1 H NMR(400MHz,CDCl3)δ 7.31(d,J=2.5Hz,1H),7.11(dd,J=8.8,2.6Hz,1H),6.75(d,J=8.8Hz,1H),4.61-4.57(m,1H),4.4 9-4.45(m,1H),4.30-2.34(m,1H),4.21-4.18(m,1H),3.92(s,2H),1.58(s,3H),1.57(s,3H)ppm. HRMS(ESI)Calcd. For C 12 H 16 Cl2FO4S + [M+H] + 345.0125;Found:345.0143.

[0105] <Test Example 1> Measurement of droplet evaporation inhibition rate by the hanging drop method 1. Sample Preparation: CK (blank group): 50% (w / w) Tween 80, 50% (w / w) deionized water, and the same mass of deionized water and Tween 80 were mixed uniformly to form a homogeneous liquid, which was used as the test solution for the blank group; Methyl esterified soybean oil: 50% (w / w) Tween 80, 50% (w / w) methyl esterified soybean oil, the same mass of methyl esterified soybean oil and Tween 80 were mixed uniformly to form a homogeneous liquid, which was used as the test liquid; Compound 1: 50% (w / w) Tween 80, 50% (w / w) Compound 1, equal masses of Compound 1 and Tween 80 were mixed uniformly to form a homogeneous liquid, which was used as the test solution; Compound 2: 50% (w / w) Tween 80, 50% (w / w) Compound 2. Equal masses of Compound 2 and Tween 80 were mixed uniformly to form a homogeneous liquid, which was used as the test solution; Compound 3: 50% (w / w) Tween 80, 50% (w / w) Compound 3. Equal masses of Compound 3 and Tween 80 were mixed uniformly to form a homogeneous liquid, which was used as the test solution; Compound 4: 50% (w / w) Tween 80, 50% (w / w) Compound 4, equal masses of Compound 4 and Tween 80 were mixed uniformly to form a homogeneous liquid, which was used as the test solution; Compound 5: 50% (w / w) Tween 80, 50% (w / w) Compound 5, and equal masses of Compound 5 and Tween 80 were mixed uniformly to form a homogeneous liquid, which was used as the test liquid.

[0106] 2. Experimental Method (1) Weigh out 0.1 g ± 0.001 g of the test solution and dilute it 1000 times with standard deionized water to 100 g to obtain the test solution; (2) After the test liquid is drawn into the microsyringe, the microsyringe is fixed in the syringe fixing groove of the contact angle tester and fixed vertically above the temperature control box. To avoid the influence of environmental temperature and humidity on droplet evaporation, the needle of the microsyringe is inserted into the temperature control box. The temperature of the water bath connected to the temperature control box is 30°C; (3) After the instrument is stabilized, the SCA20 software controls the droplet generator on the instrument to generate a single droplet of 15 μL, at which point the droplet hangs from the needle of the microsyringe; (4) Select video recording, automatically capture the droplets with the CCD camera of the image capture device, and record the entire process of droplet evaporation; process the data using SCA20 software to obtain the time-varying droplet volume, and calculate the droplet evaporation rate using a formula. The droplet evaporation rate and droplet evaporation inhibition rate data in this test were both obtained with an evaporation time of 30 min. The temperature during measurement was 30°C. Droplet evaporation rate = (initial droplet volume finial droplet volume) / initial droplet volume; Evaporation suppression rate (%) = (W f -W d ) / W f ×100%(W f : Amount of water evaporation from the blank set; W d : amount of water evaporation from test set).

[0107] 3.Result analysis The results (Table 1 and Figure 1) showed that the addition of compounds 1 and 3 significantly inhibited droplet evaporation. After 30 minutes, the evaporation rate of the blank sample reached 48.70%, while that of compounds 1 and 3 decreased to 24.06% and 27.79%, respectively. Both compounds showed a linear inhibition trend within 30 minutes (R2 > 0.98). Compounds 2 (37.33%), 4 (38.26%), and 5 (43.00%) also showed some inhibition. Compound 1 had the highest evaporation inhibition rate (50.60%), significantly superior to methyl-esterified soybean oil (49.92%) and the other compounds. Compound 3 ranked second with an inhibition rate of 42.94%, superior to compounds 2 (23.36%), 4 (21.45%), and 5 (11.70%). The mechanism of action may involve the formation of a dynamic interfacial film through intermolecular interactions, thereby reducing the mass transfer efficiency at the liquid-gas interface. The inhibition rates of Compound 1 and methyl-esterified soybean oil are similar, but Compound 1 has a more stable molecular structure and is therefore more advantageous for long-term use. JPEG0007775518000017.jpg78170

[0108] <Test Example 2> Measurement of droplet evaporation inhibition rate by the sitting drop method 1. Sample Preparation: The sample preparation method was the same as in Test Example 1. 2. Experimental method (1) Weigh out 0.1 g ± 0.001 g of the test solution and dilute it 1000 times with standard deionized water to 100 g to obtain the test solution; (2) To more accurately simulate the evaporation of droplets on the leaf surface, a standard paraffin sheet was used to simulate the wax layer on the leaf surface. After the test liquid was absorbed with a microsyringe, the microsyringe was fixed in the syringe fixing groove of the contact angle measuring instrument. After the instrument was stabilized, the SCA20 software controlled the droplet generator on the measuring instrument to generate a single 10 μL droplet. The droplet was then dropped onto the surface of the standard wax sheet. To avoid the influence of environmental temperature and humidity on droplet evaporation, the standard wax sheet was placed in a temperature-controlled box, and the temperature of the water bath connected to the temperature-controlled box was set to 30°C; (3) Select video recording, and automatically photograph the droplets with the CCD camera of the image acquisition device (with a 2-second interval between photographs) to record the entire process of droplet evaporation. The data is processed using SCA20 software to obtain the time-dependent change in droplet volume, and the droplet evaporation rate is calculated using a formula. The droplet evaporation rate and droplet evaporation inhibition rate data in this test were both obtained using an evaporation time of 5 min. The temperature during measurement was 30°C. Droplet evaporation rate = (initial droplet volume finial droplet volume) / initial droplet volume. Evaporation suppression rate (%) = (W f -W d ) / W f ×100%(W f : Amount of water evaporation from the blank set; W d : amount of water evaporation from the test piece).

[0109] 2.Result analysis The experimental results (Figure 2 and Table 2) show that compounds 1 and 2 exhibited significant evaporation inhibition within 5 minutes. While the control reached a 5-minute evaporation rate of 16.09%, compounds 1 and 2 decreased to 9.11% and 10.61%, respectively. Dynamic analysis revealed that the inhibition efficiencies of both compounds within the 5-minute period were 43.3% and 33.0%, respectively, significantly superior to the other compounds tested. Furthermore, compound 1 had the highest evaporation inhibition rate (43.35%), significantly superior to methyl-esterified soybean oil and the other compounds. JPEG0007775518000018.jpg79170

[0110] <Test Example 3> Relationship between compound concentration and evaporation prevention performance 1. Sample Preparation: CK (blank group): 50% (w / w) Tween 80, 50% (w / w) deionized water, deionized water and Tween 80 were mixed uniformly to form a homogeneous liquid, which was used as the blank group test solution; 4% Compound 1: 50% (w / w) Tween 80, 4% (w / w) Compound 1, 46% (w / w) deionized water, 0.4g ± 0.001g of Compound 1 and 5g ± 0.001g of Tween 80 were weighed and mixed uniformly to form a homogeneous liquid, and then 4.6g ± 0.001g of deionized water was added and mixed uniformly to obtain the test solution; 10% Compound 1: 50% (w / w) Tween 80, 10% (w / w) Compound 1, 40% (w / w) deionized water, 1g ± 0.001g of Compound 1 and 5g ± 0.001g of Tween 80 were weighed and mixed uniformly to form a homogeneous liquid, and then 4g ± 0.001g of deionized water was added and mixed uniformly to obtain the test solution; 50% Compound 1: 50% (w / w) Tween 80, 50% (w / w) Compound 1, Weigh out equal masses of Compound 1 and Tween 80 and mix them uniformly to form a homogeneous liquid, which will be used as the test liquid.

[0111] 2. Experimental Method (1) Weigh out 0.1g ± 0.001g of each test solution and dilute it 1000 times with standard deionized water to 100g to obtain the test solution; (2) After the test liquid is drawn into the microsyringe, the microsyringe is fixed in the syringe fixing groove of the contact angle tester and fixed vertically above the temperature control box. To avoid the influence of environmental temperature and humidity on droplet evaporation, the needle of the microsyringe is inserted into the temperature control box. The temperature of the water bath connected to the temperature control box is 40°C; (3) After the instrument is stabilized, the SCA20 software controls the droplet generator on the instrument to generate a single droplet of 15 μL, at which point the droplet hangs from the needle of the microsyringe; (4) Select video recording, automatically capture the droplets with the CCD camera of the image capture device, and record the entire process of droplet evaporation; process the data using SCA20 software to obtain the time-varying droplet volume, and calculate the droplet evaporation rate using a formula. The droplet evaporation rate and droplet evaporation inhibition rate data in this test were both obtained with an evaporation time of 30 min. The temperature during measurement was 40°C. Droplet evaporation rate = (initial droplet volume finial droplet volume) / initial droplet volume. Evaporation suppression rate (%) = (W f -W d ) / W f ×100%(W f : Amount of water evaporation from the blank set; W d : amount of water evaporation from the test piece).

[0112] 3.Result analysis In this experimental study, we found that the addition of Compound 1 significantly improved the droplet evaporation prevention properties. In the blank group, after 30 minutes of observation, the droplet evaporation rate reached 67.78%, meaning that more than two-thirds of the droplets had evaporated within 30 minutes, indicating a severe water loss situation. Adding Compound 1 to the droplet system significantly improved the situation. At the same 30-minute point, the evaporation rate of droplets containing Compound 1 was only in the 30-50% range; at 30 minutes, the evaporation inhibition rate reached its highest level, reaching 51.30%, demonstrating excellent evaporation prevention, effectively slowing the rate of droplet water loss and improving droplet stability (Figure 3 and Table 3). JPEG0007775518000019.jpg58170

[0113] Furthermore, a linear fitting process was performed on the droplet evaporation rate data measured at each time point. A very clear pattern was observed from the trend shown by the fitting curve: as the amount of compound 1 added gradually increased, the droplet evaporation rate tended to decrease significantly. This indicates that there is a close relationship between the amount of compound 1 added and the droplet evaporation prevention ability, and the higher the amount added, the better the droplet evaporation prevention ability (Figure 4).

[0114] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the embodiments without departing from the principle and spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is limited by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for suppressing water evaporation by applying a sulfite ester compound to water, The structural formula of the sulfite ester compound is: and However, R １ , R ２ is selected from halogens, R ３ , R ３ ', R ４ , R ４ ' are each independently hydrogen, C １ ~C ５ Alkyl group, C １ ~C ５ alkenyl groups, R ５ wherein is selected from halogens, and the method for suppressing water evaporation further comprises Tween (registered trademark) as a surfactant when applied.

2. The R １ , R ２ is selected from Cl, R ５ 2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

3. R ３ , R ３ ' is selected from hydrogen, and R ４ , R ４ ' are each independently hydrogen, -CH ３ , -CH ２ CH ３ , -CH=CH ２ 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sulfite-based compound is selected from one or a combination of two or more of the following:

5. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sulfite-based compound is selected from one or a combination of two or more of the following:

6. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the sulfite ester compound applied is 0.001% (w / w) or more.

7. 7. The application concentration of the sulfite ester compound is 0.001% to 50% (w / w). The method described below.

8. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising a solvent when applied.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein when applied, the weight ratio of the sulfite ester compound to the surfactant is 1:0.1-20, the concentration of the surfactant is 0.001% (w / w) or more, and the remainder is the solvent.

10. the surfactant is Tween (registered trademark) or a combination of Tween (registered trademark) and one or more selected from ethoxylated castor oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, saponin, ethoxylated alcohol, ethoxylated fatty acid ester, alkoxylated diol, ethoxylated fatty acid, carboxylated alcohol, carboxylic acid, fatty acid, ethoxylated alkylphenol, fatty acid ester, and sodium dodecyl sulfide; 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the solvent is one or a combination of two or more selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, isopropanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, acetophenone, glycerin, castor oil, ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated amides, glycerides, butanol, 1-propanol, hexanol, other alcohols, dimethyl ether, and polyethylene glycol.

11. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the sulfite-based compound is used as an agricultural product, the agricultural product further comprising one or more of a co-dispersant, a wetting agent, a binder, an emulsifier, a stabilizer, and a solvent.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the product formulation is an emulsion, an aqueous solution, an aqueous emulsion, a liquid, a microemulsion, a suspension, an oil suspension, a microcapsule suspension, or a mother liquor.

13. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the agricultural product prepared from the sulfite ester compound is used in combination with a foliar fertilizer, a water-soluble fertilizer, a compound fertilizer, a pesticide, a plant regulator, a biostimulant, or a soil conditioner.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein in use, the agricultural product prepared from the sulfite-based compound is used as a seed treatment, foliar spray, or root irrigation.

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