Agrochemical composition

Abstract

The present invention provides a composition containing an agrochemical composition that is poorly water-soluble and is solid at a temperature of 25°C, a surfactant having a viscosity increase rate ΔV [%] represented by the following formula (a) of 45% or less, a thickener containing a water-soluble polymer, an antifreeze agent, and water, said composition having favorable storage stability. The agrochemical active compound content in the composition is 20 mass% or more with respect to 100 mass% of the composition, and the agrochemical active compound contains a compound represented by the following formula (I). Formula (a): ΔV [%] = (V2 – V1) / V1 × 100 [In formula (a), V1 represents the viscosity [Pa·s] of the following composition X at a temperature of 40°C, and V2 represents the viscosity [Pa·s] of the following composition X at a temperature of 60°C. Composition X comprises 37.00 parts by mass of compound (I), 4.63 parts by mass of a first surfactant, 0.19 parts by mass of a silicone antifoaming agent, and 32.85 parts by mass of water.]

Description

Pesticide composition

[0001] This patent application claims priority under the Paris Convention to and the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-039268 (filed March 14, 2022), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to compositions containing pesticidal active compounds.

[0003] The compound represented by the following formula (I) (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "compound (I)") is known as an agriculturally active compound (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] International Publication No. 2011 / 162397

[0005] When producing an aqueous suspension formulation containing Compound (I), if the total content of the pesticidal active compounds in the aqueous suspension formulation increases, the storage stability may decrease.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a composition that has good storage stability even when the pesticidal active compounds, including compound (I), are suspended in water so that the total content of the pesticidal active compounds is 20 mass% or more.

[0007] The present invention provides the following composition: [1] A composition comprising a pesticidal active compound that is poorly soluble in water and solid at 25°C, a surfactant, a thickener, an antifreeze, and water, wherein the content of the pesticidal active compound is 20% by mass or more relative to 100% by mass of the composition, the pesticidal active compound includes at least a compound represented by formula (I) below, the surfactant has a viscosity increase rate ΔV [%] represented by formula (a) below of 45% or less, and the thickener includes a water-soluble polymer. ΔV [%] = (V2 - V1) / V1 × 100 (a) [In formula (a), V1 represents the viscosity [Pa s] of the following composition X at a temperature of 40°C, and V2 represents the viscosity [Pa s] of the following composition X at a temperature of 60°C. Composition X is a composition consisting of 37.00 parts by mass of the compound represented by formula (I), 4.63 parts by mass of the surfactant, 0.19 parts by mass of a silicone-based antifoaming agent, and 32.85 parts by mass of water.] [2] The composition according to [1], in which the content of the surfactant is 4% by mass or more. [3] The composition according to [1] or [2], in which the surfactant includes one or more selected from the group consisting of lignin sulfonate, an acrylic polymer, an acrylic graft copolymer, and a modified styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer. [4] The composition according to any one of [1] to [3], in which the viscosity increase rate of the surfactant is 20% or less. [5] A method for selecting a surfactant for an aqueous suspension formulation containing a compound represented by the following formula (I), the method comprising: preparing a composition X consisting of 37.00 parts by mass of a compound represented by the following formula (I), 4.63 parts by mass of a surfactant, 0.19 parts by mass of a silicone-based antifoaming agent, and 32.85 parts by mass of water; measuring the viscosity of the composition X by raising the temperature from 40°C to 80°C at a heating rate of 1°C / min; and selecting a surfactant contained in the composition X that has a viscosity increase rate ΔV [%] represented by the following formula (a) of 45% or less. ΔV [%] = (V2 - V1) / V1 × 100 (a) (In formula (a), V1 represents the viscosity [Pa s] of the composition X measured in the measuring step at a temperature of 40°C, and V2 represents the viscosity [Pa s] of the composition X measured in the measuring step at a temperature of 60°C.)

[0008] According to the present invention, a composition having good storage stability can be provided even when the pesticidal active compounds including compound (I) are suspended in water so that the total content of the pesticidal active compounds is 20 mass% or more.

[0009] The composition of the present invention (hereinafter may be referred to as the "composition of the present invention") comprises: a pesticidal active compound that is poorly soluble in water and solid at 25°C (hereinafter may be referred to as the "pesticidal active compound"); a surfactant having a viscosity increase rate ΔV [%] represented by the following formula (a) of 45% or less (hereinafter may be referred to as the "surfactant"); a thickener containing a water-soluble polymer; an antifreeze; and water. In the composition of the present invention, the content of the pesticidal active compound is 20% by mass or more, and the pesticidal active compound includes compound (I). ΔV [%] = (V2 - V1) / V1 × 100 (a) [In formula (a), V1 represents the viscosity [Pa s] of composition X below at a temperature of 40°C, and V2 represents the viscosity [Pa s] of composition X below at a temperature of 60°C. Composition X is a composition consisting of 37.00 parts by mass of compound (I), 4.63 parts by mass of the present surfactant, 0.19 parts by mass of a silicone-based antifoaming agent, and 32.85 parts by mass of water.

[0010] In the composition of the present invention, compound (I) is preferably dispersed in water in a solid state. When the pesticidal active compound contains a pesticidal active compound other than compound (I) (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "second pesticidal active compound"), the second pesticidal active compound is also preferably dispersed in water in a solid state. The composition of the present invention is preferably an aqueous suspension concentrate containing the pesticidal active compound in a solid state, the surfactant, a thickener, an antifreeze, and water.

[0011] In the composition of the present invention, the volume median diameter of the pesticidal active compound dispersed in water is usually 15 μm or less, preferably 0.1 μm to 11 μm, more preferably 0.2 μm to 7 μm. The volume median diameter is the particle size at which the cumulative frequency in a volume-based frequency distribution is 50%. As described in the Examples below, the volume median diameter of the pesticidal active compound in the composition of the present invention can be determined by wet measurement using a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer, in which the pesticidal active compound is dispersed in water and measured.

[0012] The pesticidal active compound contained in the composition of the present invention is poorly soluble in water and is solid at a temperature of 25° C. A poorly water-soluble pesticidal active compound refers to a pesticidal active compound whose solubility in 1 L of water at a temperature of 25° C. is 1 g or less.

[0013] The content of the pesticidal active compound in the composition of the present invention is 20% by mass or more, or optionally 25% by mass or more, or 50% by mass or less, or 40% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the composition of the present invention. When the pesticidal active compound contains two or more pesticidal active compounds, the content of the pesticidal active compound refers to the total content thereof.

[0014] The pesticidal active compound may consist of one or more compounds, and includes at least compound (I). Compound (I) is a known compound and can be synthesized, for example, by the method described in WO 2011 / 162397. Compound (I) is in the R configuration.

[0015] The content of compound (I) in the composition of the present invention is 0.4% by mass or more, optionally 1% by mass or more, optionally 5% by mass or more, optionally 20% by mass or more, optionally 25% by mass or more, and optionally 50% by mass or less, optionally 45% by mass or less, or optionally 40% by mass or less, relative to 100% by mass of the composition of the present invention.

[0016] The pesticidal active compound may contain one or more (e.g., three, four, or five) second pesticidal active compounds. The content of the second pesticidal active compound in the composition of the present invention is, relative to 100% by mass of the composition of the present invention, 0.4% by mass or more, optionally 1% by mass or more, or 10% by mass or more, and 49.5% by mass or less, optionally 40% by mass or less, or optionally 30% by mass or less. When the second pesticidal active compound contains two or more pesticidal active compounds, the content of the second pesticidal active compound refers to the total content thereof.

[0017] When the composition of the present invention contains a second pesticidal active compound, the ratio of the content of Compound (I) to the content of the second pesticidal active compound (Compound (I):second pesticidal active compound) by weight may be, for example, 1:100 to 100:1, 1:10 to 10:1, 1:5 to 5:1, or 3:10 to 10:3. When the second pesticidal active compound contains two or more pesticidal active compounds, the content of the second pesticidal active compound refers to the total content thereof.

[0018] The second pesticide active compound may be at least one selected from the group consisting of insecticidal active compounds, fungicidal active compounds, herbicidal active compounds, and plant growth regulating active compounds.

[0019] Examples of the insecticidal active compounds include dimethylvinphos, acephate, salithion, bendiocarb, thiodicarb, NAC, MIPC, bensultap, diflubenzuron, teflubenzuron, chlorfluazuron, buprofezin, fenoxycarb, pyridaben, clofentezine, hexythiazox, fipronil, ethiprole, clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiacloprid.

[0020] Examples of the fungicidal compounds include thiuram, tecloftalam, carpropamid, diclocymet, tricyclazole, fthalide, kresoxim-methyl, trifloxystrobin, metominostrobin, pyraclostrobin, picoxystrobin, azoxystrobin, orysastrobin, benomyl, ferimzone, flusulfamide, probenazole, captan, diethofencarb, diclomedine, TPN, mancozeb, iprodione, triadimefon, hexaconazole, tebuconazole, difenoconazole, mefentrifluconazole, furametpyr, flutolanil, mepronil, oxolinic acid, pyrimethanil, mepanipyrim, PCNB, isoprothiolane, fenpyrazamine, procymidone, and mandestrobin.

[0021] Examples of the herbicidal active ingredient include simetryn, dymron, propanil, mefenacet, fentrazamide, etobenzanide, swep, oxaziclomefone, pyrazolate, prodiamine, cafenstrole, pentoxazone, clomeprop, pyriftalid, benzobicyclon, bromobutide, propyrisulfuron, flumioxazin, oxadiazolone, pyroxasulfone, flumiclorac pentyl, lactofen, flufenacet, isoxaflutole, and cloransulam methyl.

[0022] Examples of the plant growth regulating compounds include thidiazuron, inabenfide, paclobutrazol, and uniconazole.

[0023] The pesticidal active compound contained in the composition of the present invention may be a pesticidal active compound whose solubility in 1 L of water at 25°C is 1 g or less, 0.5 g or less, or 0.1 g or less.

[0024] The surfactant contained in the composition of the present invention is a surfactant having a viscosity increase rate ΔV represented by the above formula (a) of 45% or less. The viscosity increase rate ΔV is preferably 20% or less, more preferably 15% or less, and may be 10% or less, 5% or less, or 0% or less. There is no particular lower limit to the viscosity increase rate ΔV as long as it is within the above range, but it is usually -80% or more, may be -60% or more, or may be -50% or more.

[0025] By providing the surfactant with a viscosity increase rate ΔV within the above range, the composition of the present invention can have good storage stability even when the total content of the pesticidal active compound in the composition of the present invention is 20% by mass or more, relative to 100% by mass of the composition. Herein, "good storage stability" includes the ability to suppress aggregation and particle growth of the pesticidal active compound during storage at high temperatures. Furthermore, the composition of the present invention exhibits good manufacturability due to the inclusion of the surfactant. Herein, "good manufacturability" includes the ability to efficiently grind the pesticidal active compound to a desired particle size during the production of the composition of the present invention.

[0026] The viscosity V1 in the above formula (a) is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.010 Pa·s or more and 0.070 Pa·s or less, 0.015 Pa·s or more and 0.065 Pa·s or less, or 0.020 Pa·s or more and 0.060 Pa·s or less.

[0027] The viscosity V2 in the above formula (a) is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 0.010 Pa·s or more and 0.100 Pa·s or less, or 0.010 Pa·s or more and 0.080 Pa·s or less.

[0028] The viscosities V1 and V2 are both values ​​measured using a stress-controlled rotational rheometer. More specifically, the rheometer was used, and the jig was a flat plate (diameter 60 mm). After maintaining the temperature at 40° C. for 2 minutes under the condition of a gap of 400 μm, the viscosity was measured at a shear rate of 1000 s －１ The viscosity of composition X is measured by heating the mixture at a rate of 1°C / min up to 80°C, and the measured value at a temperature of 40°C is designated as viscosity V1, and the measured value at a temperature of 60°C is designated as viscosity V2. Using the obtained viscosities V1 and V2, the viscosity increase rate ΔV is calculated according to the above formula (a). As described above, composition X contains compound (I) and a surfactant contained in the composition of the present invention in the above-described amounts, and further contains a silicone-based antifoaming agent and water, and can be prepared by the method described in the Examples below. However, when preparing composition X, compound (I) having a purity (R-isomer content) of 95% by mass or more is used.

[0029] The surfactant is not particularly limited as long as the viscosity increase rate ΔV is within the above range, and examples thereof include anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants. The surfactant is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants.

[0030] The surfactant of the present invention is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of lignin sulfonate, acrylic polymer, acrylic graft copolymer, and modified styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, and more preferably contains at least one selected from the group consisting of lignin sulfonate and acrylic graft copolymer.

[0031] The content of the present surfactant in the composition of the present invention is usually 1% by mass or more, or may be 3% by mass or more, or 4% by mass or more, or may be 10% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the composition of the present invention. When the present surfactant contains two or more types of the present surfactant, the content of the present surfactant refers to the total content thereof.

[0032] The thickener contained in the composition of the present invention includes a water-soluble polymer, such as natural water-soluble polysaccharides such as xanthan gum, welan gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, gum arabic, carrageenan, pectin, and sodium alginate, and water-soluble synthetic polymers such as cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

[0033] The content of the water-soluble polymer in the composition of the present invention is usually 0.05% by mass or more, and may be 0.1% by mass or more, relative to 100% by mass of the composition of the present invention. When the composition of the present invention contains two or more water-soluble polymers, the content of the water-soluble polymer refers to the total content thereof.

[0034] The thickener contained in the composition of the present invention may include colloidal hydrous aluminum silicate, colloidal hydrous magnesium silicate, magnesium aluminum silicate, and mineral fine powder such as silica as a thickener other than the water-soluble polymer.

[0035] The content of the thickener in the composition of the present invention is generally 0.1% by mass or more, and may be 0.2% by mass or more, and generally 0.6% by mass or less, and may be 0.4% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the composition of the present invention. When the composition of the present invention contains two or more thickeners, the content of the thickener refers to the total content thereof.

[0036] Examples of antifreezing agents contained in the composition of the present invention include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, glycerin, propylene glycol, and urea. The content of the antifreezing agent in the composition of the present invention is usually 3% by mass or more and 8% by mass or less, and may be 3% by mass or more and 6% by mass or less. When the composition of the present invention contains two or more antifreezing agents, the content of the antifreezing agent refers to the total content thereof.

[0037] The composition of the present invention contains water. The water used in the composition of the present invention is not particularly limited, and water typically used in preparing aqueous suspension formulations, such as tap water, well water, and ion-exchanged water, can be used.

[0038] The water content in the composition of the present invention is typically 30% by mass or more, optionally 40% by mass or more, or optionally 43% by mass or more, relative to 100% by mass of the composition of the present invention, and is typically 75% by mass or less, optionally 65% ​​by mass or less, or optionally 60% by mass or less.

[0039] The composition of the present invention may contain, as necessary, a pesticidal active compound other than the present pesticidal active compound, a surfactant other than the present surfactant, and formulation adjuvants such as an antifoaming agent, a preservative, a pH adjuster, and a colorant.

[0040] Examples of the pesticidal active compound other than the pesticidal active compound that may be contained in the composition of the present invention include one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of insecticidal active compounds, fungicidal active compounds, herbicidal active compounds, plant growth regulating active compounds, and biological control agents.

[0041] The composition of the present invention may contain a surfactant other than the present surfactant to the extent that the effects of the present invention are not impaired. Examples of such surfactants include anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants.

[0042] The antifoaming agent that may be contained in the composition of the present invention includes, for example, a silicone-based antifoaming agent. The content of the antifoaming agent in the composition of the present invention is usually 0.01% by mass or more, may be 0.05% by mass or more, or may be 0.1% by mass or more, and is usually 0.4% by mass or less, may be 0.3% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the composition of the present invention.

[0043] Examples of preservatives that may be contained in the composition of the present invention include butylparaben (n-butyl parahydroxybenzoate) and 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, etc. The content of the preservative in the composition of the present invention is usually 0.1% by mass or more, and may be 0.2% by mass or more, and is usually 0.5% by mass or less, and may be 0.4% by mass or less, relative to 100% by mass of the composition of the present invention.

[0044] Examples of pH adjusters that may be contained in the composition of the present invention include carboxylic acids and salts thereof, such as citric acid monohydrate, acetic acid, and sorbic acid, phosphoric acid and salts thereof, and boric acid and salts thereof.

[0045] Examples of colorants that may be contained in the composition of the present invention include inorganic pigments such as iron oxide, titanium oxide, and Prussian blue; and organic pigments such as alizarin dyes, azo dyes, and metal phthalocyanine dyes.

[0046] The content of the formulation adjuvant in the composition of the present invention is usually 0.2% by mass or more, or may be 1% by mass or more, or may be 5% by mass or more, relative to 100% by mass of the composition of the present invention, and is usually 10% by mass or less, or may be 7% by mass or less.

[0047] The composition of the present invention can be produced by a method in which the present pesticide active compound, the present surfactant, and, if necessary, formulation adjuvants, etc. are added to water, followed by thorough stirring and mixing with a high-speed stirrer, and then finely pulverizing with a wet grinder such as a bead mill; or a method in which the present pesticide active compound is finely pulverized with a dry grinder such as a jet mill, and then the finely pulverized present pesticide active compound, the present surfactant, and, if necessary, formulation adjuvants, etc. are added to water, followed by thorough stirring and mixing with a high-speed stirrer.

[0048] By applying the composition of the present invention to plants or their growing environment, plant diseases can be controlled.

[0049] The user typically applies the composition of the present invention from a knapsack sprayer, spray tank, spray plane, or irrigation system. The composition of the present invention is typically diluted with water to the desired application concentration to obtain a spray solution. Typically, 20 to 2,000 L, preferably 100 to 300 L, of spray solution is applied per hectare.

[0050] The application amount of the composition of the present invention varies depending on the type of plant, the type and frequency of plant disease to be controlled, the application time, application method, application location, weather conditions, etc., but the application amount of Compound (I) is ２ The amount is usually 1 to 500 g, preferably 10 to 100 g per unit area.

[0051] The surfactant selection method of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "method of the present invention") is used when selecting a surfactant for an aqueous suspension formulation containing compound (I). The method of the present invention includes the following steps 1) to 3). Step 1): A step of preparing composition X consisting of 37.00 parts by mass of compound (I), 4.63 parts by mass of a surfactant, 0.19 parts by mass of a silicone-based antifoaming agent, and 32.85 parts by mass of water. Step 2): A step of measuring the viscosity of composition X prepared in step 1) by raising the temperature from 40°C to 80°C at a heating rate of 1°C / min. Step 3): A step of selecting a surfactant contained in composition X having a viscosity increase rate ΔV [%] represented by the above formula (a) of 45% or less.

[0052] Step 1) is carried out by the method described in the Examples below. Step 2) is carried out according to the method for measuring viscosity V1 and viscosity V2 described above. Step 3) is carried out by calculating the viscosity increase rate ΔV according to formula (a) above using the viscosity V1 and viscosity V2 of composition X obtained in step 2), and selecting surfactants contained in composition X whose ΔV is 45% or less. The surfactants selected by the method of the present invention are used for aqueous suspension formulations containing compound (I).

[0053] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0054] [Preparation of Compositions X(1) to (6) and Calculation of Viscosity Increase Rate ΔV] (Preparation of Compositions X(1) to (6)) 37.00 parts by mass of compound (I) (purity: 97.8% by mass, content ratio of R-isomer and S-isomer: R-isomer / S-isomer=98.3 / 1.7), 4.63 parts by mass of a surfactant (Reax910, sodium lignosulfonate, manufactured by Ingevity), 0.19 parts by mass of a silicone-based antifoaming agent (Xiameter AFE-1530, manufactured by Dow Corning Toray), and 32.85 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water were mixed to obtain a mixture (MX1). The mixture (MX1) was wet-pulverized using a horizontal bead mill (DYNO-MILL KDL, manufactured by WILLY A. BACHOFEN AG Maschinenfabrik) at a peripheral speed of 10 m / s so that the volume median diameter of compound (I) was 11 μm or less, thereby preparing composition X(1).

[0055] Composition X(2) was prepared in the same manner as in the preparation of composition X(1), except that 4.63 parts by mass of Tersperse (registered trademark) 2500 (acrylic graft copolymer, manufactured by Huntsman Petrochemical) was used instead of the surfactant used in the preparation of composition X(1).

[0056] Composition X(3) was prepared in the same manner as in the preparation of composition X(1), except that 4.63 parts by mass of Tersperse (registered trademark) 2612 (modified styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, manufactured by Huntsman Petrochemical) was used instead of the surfactant used in the preparation of composition X(1).

[0057] Composition X(4) was prepared in the same manner as in the preparation of composition X(1), except that 4.63 parts by mass of Agrilan 788 (acrylic polymer, manufactured by Nouryon) was used instead of the surfactant used in the preparation of composition X(1).

[0058] Composition X(5) was prepared in the same manner as in the preparation of composition X(1), except that 4.63 parts by mass of Selvol 24-203 (polyvinyl alcohol, manufactured by Sekisui Specialty Chemicals) was used instead of the surfactant used in the preparation of composition X(1).

[0059] Composition X(6) was prepared in the same manner as in the preparation of composition X(1), except that 4.63 parts by mass of Ethylan 500LQ (polyalkoxylate butyl ether, manufactured by Nouryon) was used instead of the surfactant used in the preparation of composition X(1).

[0060] (Calculation of Viscosity Increase Rate ΔV) For each of compositions X(1) to X(6), the viscosity V1 at a temperature of 40°C and the viscosity V2 at a temperature of 60°C were measured using a rheometer (AR-G2, manufactured by TA Instruments). The jig was a flat plate (diameter 60 mm), and after maintaining the temperature at 40°C for 2 minutes under the condition of a gap of 400 μm, the viscosity was increased by a shear rate of 1000 s －１ The temperature was raised to 80°C at a rate of 1°C / min. The viscosity increase rate ΔV was calculated using the viscosities V1 and V2 obtained from the measurement results according to the above formula (a). The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0061] [Production Example 1] 37 parts by mass of compound (I) (purity: 98.6% by mass, content ratio of R- and S-configuration: R-configuration / S-configuration = 98.9 / 1.1), 4.63 parts by mass of a surfactant (Reax910, sodium lignosulfonate, manufactured by Ingevity), 0.095 parts by mass of an antifoaming agent (Xiameter AFE-1530, silicone-based antifoaming agent, manufactured by Dow Corning Toray), and 25.52 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water were mixed to obtain a mixture (M1). The mixture (M1) was wet-pulverized using a horizontal bead mill (DYNO-MILL KDL, manufactured by WILLY A. BACHOFEN AG Maschinenfabrik) to obtain a suspension.

[0062] 0.19 parts by mass of xanthan gum (Kelzan, manufactured by CP Kelco), 0.37 parts by mass of magnesium aluminum silicate (Veegum R, manufactured by Vanderbilt), 4.63 parts by mass of propylene glycol, and 0.28 parts by mass of a preservative (Proxel GXL, manufactured by Lonza, containing 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one as an active ingredient) were added to 19.23 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water, and stirring was continued for 2 hours to obtain a mixture (M2).

[0063] Mixture (M2) was added to the suspension obtained above and mixed, and 0.095 parts by mass of a silicone antifoaming agent (Xiameter AFE-1530, silicone antifoaming agent, manufactured by Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.) and 7.96 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water were further added thereto to obtain composition (1) of the present invention as an aqueous suspension formulation. The volume median diameter of compound (I) in composition (1) of the present invention was measured by wet measurement using a laser diffraction particle size analyzer (Mastersizer 2000, manufactured by Malvern Instruments) and was found to be 2.4 μm.

[0064] [Preparation Example 2] Composition (2) of the present invention as an aqueous suspension formulation was obtained in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1, except that 4.63 parts by mass of Tersperse (registered trademark) 2500 (acrylic graft copolymer, manufactured by Huntsman Petrochemical) was used as the surfactant instead of Reax 910. The volume median diameter of compound (I) in composition (2) of the present invention was measured in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1 and was found to be 2.1 µm.

[0065] [Preparation Example 3] Composition (3) of the present invention as an aqueous suspension formulation was obtained in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1, except that 4.63 parts by mass of Tersperse (registered trademark) 2612 (modified styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, manufactured by Huntsman Petrochemical) was used instead of Reax 910 as the surfactant. The volume median diameter of compound (I) in composition (3) of the present invention was measured in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1 and was found to be 2.2 µm.

[0066] [Production Example 4] The present invention composition (4) as an aqueous suspension formulation was obtained in the same manner as in Production Example 1, except that 4.63 parts by mass of Agrilan 788 (acrylic polymer, manufactured by Nouryon) was used instead of Reax 910 as the surfactant. The volume median diameter of compound (I) in the present invention composition (4) was measured in the same manner as in Production Example 1 and was found to be 2.0 µm.

[0067] Comparative Production Example 1 Comparative composition (1) was obtained as an aqueous suspension formulation in the same manner as in Production Example 1, except that 4.63 parts by mass of Selvol 24-203 (polyvinyl alcohol, manufactured by Sekisui Specialty Chemicals) was used instead of Reax 910 as the surfactant. The volume median diameter of compound (I) in comparative composition (1) was measured in the same manner as in Production Example 1 and was found to be 2.6 μm. Comparative composition (1) required a longer time to be pulverized than compositions (1) to (4) of the present invention, and was therefore less manufacturable.

[0068] Comparative Production Example 2 Comparative composition (2) as an aqueous suspension formulation was obtained in the same manner as in Production Example 1, except that 4.63 parts by mass of Ethylan 500LQ (polyalkoxylate butyl ether, manufactured by Nouryon) was used instead of Reax 910 as the surfactant. The volume median diameter of compound (I) in comparative composition (2) was measured in the same manner as in Production Example 1 and was found to be 2.8 μm. Comparative composition (2) required a longer time to be pulverized than compositions (1) to (4) of the present invention, and was therefore less manufacturable.

[0069] Test Example 1: Evaluation of storage stability The composition (1) of the present invention prepared in Production Example 1 was placed in a 50 mL glass bottle, sealed, and stored in an incubator set at 54°C for 2 weeks. The volume median diameter of the composition (1) of the present invention stored in the incubator for a predetermined period was measured. The volume median diameter was measured by wet measurement using a laser diffraction particle size analyzer (Mastersizer 2000, manufactured by Malvern Instruments).

[0070] The volume median diameters of the inventive compositions (2) to (4) prepared in Production Examples 2 to 4 and the comparative compositions (1) to (2) prepared in Comparative Production Examples 1 and 2 were also measured in the same manner as above. The percentage change in volume median diameter was calculated using the following formula: Percent change in volume median diameter [%] = (volume median diameter after 2 weeks of storage at 54°C / volume median diameter immediately after production) × 100

[0071] The calculated rate of change in volume median diameter was judged according to the following criteria to evaluate storage stability. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2. A: The rate of change in volume median diameter was less than 150%. B: The rate of change in volume median diameter was 150% or more.

[0072]

[0073]

[0074] The composition of the present invention has good storage stability even when the pesticidal active compounds including compound (I) are suspended in water so that the total content of the pesticidal active compounds is 20 mass % or more.

Claims

1. A composition comprising a pesticidal active compound that is poorly soluble in water and solid at a temperature of 25°C, a surfactant, a thickener, an antifreeze, and water, The content of the pesticidal active compound is 20% by mass or more based on 100% by mass of the composition, The pesticidal active compound contains at least a compound represented by the following formula (I): The surfactant has a viscosity increase rate ΔV [%] represented by the following formula (a) of 45% or less, The composition, wherein the thickener comprises a water-soluble polymer. 【Chemistry 1】 ΔV[%]=(V2-V1) / V1×100 (a) [In formula (a), V1 represents the viscosity [Pa s] of the following composition X at a temperature of 40°C, V2 represents the viscosity [Pa·s] of the following composition X at a temperature of 60°C. Composition X is a composition consisting of 37.00 parts by mass of the compound represented by formula (I), 4.63 parts by mass of the surfactant, 0.19 parts by mass of a silicone-based antifoaming agent, and 32.85 parts by mass of water.

2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the content of the surfactant is 4% by mass or more relative to 100% by mass of the composition.

3. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surfactant comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of lignin sulfonate, acrylic polymer, acrylic graft copolymer, and modified styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer.

4. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the viscosity increase rate of the surfactant is 20% or less.

5. A step of preparing a composition X comprising 37.00 parts by mass of a compound represented by the following formula (I), 4.63 parts by mass of a surfactant, 0.19 parts by mass of a silicone-based antifoaming agent, and 32.85 parts by mass of water: measuring the viscosity of the composition X by increasing the temperature from 40°C to 80°C at a temperature increase rate of 1°C / min; A step of selecting a surfactant contained in composition X having a viscosity increase rate ΔV [%] represented by the following formula (a) of 45% or less. A method for selecting a surfactant for an aqueous suspension formulation containing a compound represented by the following formula (I), comprising: 【Chemistry 2】 ΔV[%]=(V2-V1) / V1×100 (a) [In formula (a), V1 represents the viscosity [Pa s] of the composition X at a temperature of 40°C measured in the measuring step, V2 represents the viscosity [Pa s] of the composition X at a temperature of 60°C measured in the measuring step.]

Images