composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to agrochemical compositions comprising hydrotropes, methods of preparing and uses of the same.

Description

[0001] Composition

[0002] The present invention relates to agrochemical compositions comprising hydrotropes, methods of preparing and uses of the same.

[0003] Agrochemicals are biologically active materials such as herbicides, fungicides and insecticides used by farmers and growers to control weeds, insect and fungal pests in, on, or around their crops.

[0004] Typically, agrochemicals are supplied as concentrated compositions, which are diluted with water before application to form the final composition to be applied. Spray application allows large areas to be covered relatively quickly. The spray can be applied by hand, by tractor-mounted spray equipment or even by aircraft, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), depending on the scale of the application.

[0005] A conventional tractor-mounted spray tank typically has a capacity of 100 to 1000 L and often contains means of agitation to keep the active ingredient suspended in solution. Such conventional agrochemical spraying generally relies on producing a fan or cone of fine spray droplets from nozzles using a pressurised supply of dilute agrochemical composition. This allows the application of dilute agrochemical evenly over relatively large areas with sweeps of the sprayer.

[0006] UAV spraying uses significantly lower water volumes, often as low as 8 L, requiring a much more concentrated composition within the tank than in a conventional application. As a result of this, active ingredients, which would normally be dissolved in solutions of from 100 to 1000 L in conventional tanks, are present in concentrations above their water solubility limits. This results in undissolved active ingredient in the spray tank.

[0007] Furthermore, UAV tanks typically do not currently have means of agitation and are therefore more prone to inhomogeneity as a result of sedimentation or separation. This is undesirable as it can result in uneven application of active ingredient across the tank or blocked spray nozzles. Solubilising the active ingredient means the tank composition is completely homogeneous and not prone to any settling or separation, thus ensuring a consistent dose of active ingredient across the tank composition. Existing formulations such as Suspension Concentrates (SCs) and Soluble Liquids (SLs) have been found to be more prone to sedimentation of the active ingredient at low dilution volumes.

[0008] There is a need for compositions that are effective at lower dilution rates and thus higher concentrations when in the tanks of the UAVs.

[0009] In order to address these problems, there is provided an agrochemical composition according to the present invention comprising:

[0010] i) one or more active ingredients, in an amount from 1 to 10 % by weight (wt. %); ii) a hydrotrope or a salt thereof, in an amount from 6 to 30 % by weight (wt. %); and iii) water, in an amount from 60 to 93 % by weight (wt. %).

[0011] The present invention relates to the use of hydrotropes to increase active ingredient solubility in concentrated tank mixes arising from Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) dilutions. This is in contrast to the dilution levels seen in conventional tractor-mounted spray tanks.

[0012] By ULV dilution we mean dilution in water of at least 5% of the undiluted, concentrated agrochemical compositions comprising an active ingredient.

[0013] More specifically and for instance, the ULV dilution may be between 5 and 50%, e.g., from 5 to 25%.

[0014] The term "hydrotrope" refers to a compound that solubilises hydrophobic compounds in aqueous solutions and that does not form micelles in water (i.e., has no critical micelle concentration). Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that hydrotropes work by interacting with and aggregating around poorly water-soluble molecules, providing a solubilising effect. Typically, hydrotropes are both highly water soluble and amphiphilic. They can be similar in structure to surfactants but often with much shorter hydrophobic portions.

[0015] Hydrotropes may be desirable to further increase concentration loading. Additionally, hydrotropes may also be desirable for lowering viscosity for improved handling, dilution, and application.

[0016] The terms "active ingredient" and "agrochemical" are used herein interchangeably, and include herbicides, insecticides, nematicides, molluscicides, fungicides and plant growth regulators. The various editions of The Pesticide Manual [e.g., the 14thand 15theditions] also disclose details of agrochemicals, any one of which may suitably be used in the present invention.

[0017] The agrochemical may be in mesomeric forms, as well as stereoisomers or enantiomers and, where applicable, various polymorphic modifications.

[0018] Preferably, component (i) has a solubility in water of such as from 1 to 25 g / L, preferably from 4 to 20 g / L; more preferably 4 to 15 g / L; most preferably 4 to 10 g / L. Component (i) can be solid or liquid at room temperature. Solubilities are measured at 25 degrees Celsius and at pH 7.

[0019] Advantageously, component (i) is selected from insecticides and fungicides; more preferably nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators and phenyl amide fungicides; more preferably still neonicotinoid insecticides and acylalanine fungicides; and most preferably selected from acetamiprid, thiamethoxam and metalaxyl-M.

[0020] Suitably, compositions of the invention may comprise two or more of the active ingredients described above.

[0021] Preferably, component (ii) is an alkylbenzyl sulphonate or nicotinamide. The alkylbenzyl sulphonate is advantageously a short chain alkylbenzyl sulphonate; even more advantageously a Ci-Cgalkylbenzyl sulphonate.

[0022] Examples of alkylbenzyl sulfonates that maybe used in the agrochemical composition of the present invention include, but are not limited to, salts of benzenesulfonate, p-toluene sulfonate, ethylbenzene sulfonate, cumene sulfonate, trimethylbenzene sulfonate, or xylenesulphonate; and most advantageously xylenesulphonate. The alkylbenzyl sulfonate salts may be metal or amine. In one embodiment, the alkylbenzene sulfonates are linear.

[0023] More preferably the metal salt is sodium.

[0024] Suitably a composition of the present invention has a weight ratio of component (i) to component (ii) from 1:2 to 1:15; more suitably from 1:10 to 1:13 or from 1:5 to 1:11 or from 1:2 to 1:5 or from 1:8 to 1:9 or from 1:5.5 to 1:15 or from 1:5.5 to 1:11 or from 1:2 to 1:4 or from 1:5.5 to 1:7.5 or from 1:8 to 1:11 or from 1:11 to 1:15 or from 1:8 to 1:15.

[0025] Preferably, the weight ratio of component (ii) to component (iii) is from 1:3 to 1:11; more preferably from 1:3 to 1:7 or from 1:3 to 1:6 or from 1:3 to 1:5 or from 1:4 to 1:5 or from 1:3 to 1:4 or from 1:10 to 1:11 or from 1:7.5 to 1:11 or from 1:8 to 1:10.

[0026] Advantageously, the weight ratio of component (i) to component (iii) is from 1:8 to 1:100; more advantageously from 1:39 to 1:82 or from 1:18 to 1:40 or from 1:8 to 1:20 or from 1:82 to 1:100.

[0027] It is intended that the above ranges may be used in any combination.

[0028] There is also provided herein a precursor composition intended to form, upon dilution, the compositions as described above. The precursor compositions comprising the active ingredient and hydrotrope may be diluted before or after addition into a UAV.

[0029] More preferably the precursor composition is a suspension concentrate (SC), a soluble liquid (SL), or wettable power (WP).

[0030] When the precursor composition, which may be diluted with water, is a suspension composition (SC) or a soluble liquid (SL) preferably comprises from 15 to 60 % by weight of component (i); and from 10 to 30 % by weight of component (ii).

[0031] Precursor compositions, and by extension compositions according to the invention may comprise partially water-soluble solvents. Partially water-soluble solvents are defined as solvents with water solubility greater than 4 g / L which are soluble at typical dilution rates, but insoluble at ULV dilutions.

[0032] The partially water-soluble solvent may be selected from p-anisaldehyde, acetophenone, 4-methylcyclochexanone, dimethyl 2-methylpentanedioate, benzyl alcohol, butyl lactate, cyclohexanone and 2-heptanone. Preferably the partially water-soluble solvent is selected from acetophenone and 2-heptanone.

[0033] When the precursor composition, which may be diluted with water, is a wettable powder (WP) it comprises from 5 to 50 % by weight of component (i), more preferably from 7 to 30 % and most preferably from 8 to 20 %; and from 70 to 95 % by weight of component (ii), more preferably from 75 to 90 %, most preferably 80 to 85 %.

[0034] WP formulations contain inert, insoluble filler, usually clay, silica or lactose to provide varied active ingredient concentrations and disperse the individual active ingredient particles. The present invention describes replacing the filler material of solid form WP with inert particles of hydrotrope, prior to dilution.

[0035] It has been surprisingly found that by replacing the filler material in a WP with a hydrotrope, the whole formulation is then soluble, meaning the active ingredient is dissolved rather than dispersed and therefore not prone to sedimentation.

[0036] Formulation types of the present invention may include one or more other ingredients selected from anti-foam agents, anti-bacterial agents, colourants, perfumes and anti-freeze agents.

[0037] Advantageously, the composition comprises one or more surfactants.

[0038] Surfactants are employed as formulation components and as adjuvants and may be present in an amount of from 0.00001 to 8% by weight, such as from 0.0001 to 5% by weight, from 0.001 to 4% by weight, from 0.01 to 3% by weight, or even 0.1 to 2% by weight.

[0039] Suitable ionic surfactants are the alkali, alkaline earth and ammonium salts of aromatic sulphonic acids, for example of lignosulphonic acid, phenolsulphonic acid, naphthalenesulphonic acid, dibutylnaphthalenesulphonic acid or of fatty acids, alkyl- and alkylarylsulfonates, alkylsulphates, lauryl ether sulphates and fatty alcohol sulphates, and salts of sulphated hexa-, hepta- and octadecanols, and of fatty alcohol glycol ethers, condensates of sulfonated naphthalene and its derivatives with formaldehyde, condensates of naphthalene or of the naphthalenesulphonic acids with phenol and formaldehyde, polycarboxylates or phosphate esters of alkoxylated alcohols.

[0040] Suitable nonionic surfactants are polyoxyethylene octyl phenol ethers, alkoxylated alcohols such as ethoxylated isooctyl-, octyl- or nonyl-phenol, alkylphenyl polyglycol ethers, tributylphenyl polyglycol ethers, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, isotridecyl alcohol, fatty alcohol / ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, alkyl polyglycosides, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers or polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, lauryl alcohol polyglycol ether acetate, sorbitol esters, lignin-sulfite waste liquors and also proteins, denatured proteins, hydrophobically modified starches, polyvinyl alcohols (for example Mowiol®), polyalkoxylates, polyvinylamines, polyethyleneimines, polyvinylpyrrolidones and their copolymers or block polymers.

[0041] Advantageously, the composition comprises one or more oils (such as mineral oils and / or vegetable oils).

[0042] Organic liquids (oils) can be employed as components of formulations as solvents or adjuvants. They can also be added to a spray tank dilution as an adjuvant to perform a variety of functions such as, but not exclusively, uptake improvement, spreading, rainfastness enhancement, drift reduction, volatility reduction.

[0043] Suitable oils can be oils of vegetable, mineral and animal origin and alkyl esters of these oils such as vegetable oils and vegetable oil esters and diesters (including esters with glycerine and propylene glycol). Some preferred oils are methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, butyl, hexyl and ethyl hexyl esters. Others are the vegetable oils and esters selected from the group consisting of methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, methyl palmitate, rape seed oil methyl ester, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, ethylhexyl palmitate, ethylhexyl oleate, mixtures of ethylhexyl myristate / laurate, ethylhexyl laurate, mixtures of ethylhexyl caprylate / caprate, diisopropyl adipate, coconut oil propylene glycol diester, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, corn oil, soybean oil and its alkyl esters, rice bran oil and its alkyl esters, olive oil, peanut oil mixed caprylic and capric triglycerides, and mixed decanoyl and octanoyl glycerides. Also suitable are the mineral oils such as Exxsol D100, Solvesso 200ND, and white oil and the alkyl esters of phosphoric and phosphonic acids such as tris-alkyl-phosphate esters.

[0044] Advantageously, there is provided an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) comprising the composition and the use of the described composition in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

[0045] The UAV may have a nozzle and the composition may be sprayed through the nozzle. The nozzle may be a low-drift nozzle. The expected spread and drift of the composition when sprayed through the nozzle may be used to select or determine appropriate widths of the application areas. A suitable nozzle may be selected for a predetermined application area. A suitable nozzle may be selected for a predetermined application area for a given flight height. For example, the nozzle may produce droplets of composition, each within a predetermined range of droplet sizes. The nozzle may be selected such that the droplet sizes are sufficiently fine to provide spreading of the composition across the application areas, but are large enough to reduce the risk of the composition drifting into unwanted areas. Advantageously, the range of droplet sizes can be used to select appropriate widths of the application areas. The UAV may have a plurality of nozzles. For example, the UAV may have four nozzles.

[0046] Unless otherwise stated all percentages are given as percentages by total weight and all embodiments and preferred features may be combined in any combination.

[0047] The invention is described by reference to the following non-limiting Examples.

[0048] Examples

[0049] Examples of different hydrotropes were tested to investigate properties with respect to sedimentation or separation of agrochemical compositions at a range of ULV dilutions.

[0050] Tank Mix Product

[0051] Table 1 describes a commercially available tank mix Suspension Concentrate (SC) composition (Composition 1).

[0052] Table 1

[0053] Component Amount (% w / v)

[0054] thiamethoxam 24

[0055] polydimethylsiloxane 0.11

[0056] propane-1, 2, 3-triol 11.11

[0057] polyarylphenyl ether 2.22

[0058] phosphate

[0059] lignosulfonic acid, 2.22

[0060] ethoxylated, sodium salts

[0061] xanthan gum 0.33

[0062] l,2-benzisothiazol-3-one 0.17

[0063] sulfuric acid 0.38

[0064] 2-bromo-2-nitropropan-l,3- 0.11

[0065] diol

[0066] water Up to 100

[0067]

[0068] Table 2 shows that sedimentation of the active ingredient of Composition 1 does not occur at the conventional dilution rate of 1%. However, when Composition 1 was diluted to the ULV (5, 10, 20 % v / v) dilutions suspended solid particles were observed to sediment over a period of two hours. Sedimentation causes significant problems for UAV application.

[0069] Table 2

[0070] Composition 1 dilution (%v / v) Sedimentation after 2 hours 1 No

[0071] 5 Yes

[0072] 10 Yes

[0073] 20 Yes

[0074]

[0075] However, it has been found that hydrotropes solubilise the components so effectively that the active ingredient dissolves.

[0076] Accordingly, it has been surprisingly found that adding hydrotropes in the spray tank following the dilution of Composition 1 to the ULV dilutions overcomes the observed sedimentation of Table 2 and actually dissolves the suspended solid particles. Table 3 shows that sedimentation of Composition 1 does not occur at the ULV dilutions in the presence of hydrotropes.

[0077] Table 3

[0078] Composition 1 Nicotinamide cone. (g / L) Sodium xylene sulfonate Sedimentation after dilution (%v / v) cone. (g / L) 2 hours

[0079] 5 150 0 No

[0080] 10 250 0 No

[0081] 5 0 150 No

[0082] 10 0 250 No

[0083]

[0084] Table 4 describes a commercially available tank mix Soluble Liquid (SL) composition (Composition 2). Table 4

[0085] Component Amount (% w / v) metalaxyl-M 48

[0086] 2-heptanone 5

[0087] acetophenone 15

[0088] copolymer butanol PO / EO 3.5

[0089] alkyl benzene sulfonic acid (CIO - C13) 1.1

[0090] amines, tallow alkyl, ethoxylated 2.3

[0091] fatty acids, tallow, sodium salts 1

[0092] 1,2-propylene glycol Up to 100

[0093]

[0094] In SL formulations solvents are added to increase the solubility of the active ingredient. Typically, 2-heptanone and acetophenone are added. However, the solvents are only slightly water soluble so at conventional (1% v / v) dilution rates they are dissolved in the tank, but at ULV dilution (5, 10, 20% v / v) rates they become insoluble and are therefore prone to separating out. Table 5 shows the separation of the solvents of Composition 2 at the ULV dilutions was observed after five minutes.

[0095] Table 5

[0096] Composition 2 dilution Separation after 5 minutes (%v / v)

[0097] 1 No

[0098] 5 Yes

[0099] 10 Yes

[0100] 20 Yes

[0101]

[0102] Table 6 shows the amount of hydrotrope needed to homogenise and stabilise the active ingredient and solvent in Composition 2. At a 1% dilution Composition 2 was stable but hazy in appearance. Adding hydrotropes to the stable 1% dilution created a clear formulation.

[0103] Table 6

[0104] Composition Al cone. Acetophenone 2-heptanone Nicotinamide Sodium xylene 2 dilution (% (g / L) cone. (g / L) cone. (g / L) cone. (g / L) sulfonate cone. v / v) (g / L)

[0105] 1 4.8 1.5 0.5 50 50

[0106]

[0107] 5 24 7.5 2.5 150 250

[0108] 10 48 15 5 250 250

[0109] 20 96 30 10 N / A 200

[0110]

[0111] It has been surprisingly found that adding hydrotropes directly to a spray tank following the dilution of Composition 2 to the ULV (5, 10, 20% v / v) dilutions both overcomes the instability and the separation of the solvent. Table 7 shows that, in the presence of hydrotropes, separation of the solvents in Composition 2 does not occur at the ULV dilutions.

[0112] Table 7

[0113] Composition 2 Nicotinamide cone. (g / L) Sodium xylene sulfonate Separation after 5 dilution (%v / v) cone. (g / L) minutes

[0114] 5 150 0 No

[0115] 10 250 0 No

[0116] 5 0 250 No

[0117] 10 0 250 No

[0118] 20 0 250 No

[0119]

[0120] Built-in Solid Formulation

[0121] Table 8 describes a commercial Wettable Powder (WP) solid composition (Composition 3).

[0122] Table 8

[0123] Component Role Mass%

[0124] Thiamethoxam Active ingredient 10

[0125] AEROSOL OT-B Wetting agent 2

[0126] MORWET D425 Dispersing agent 5

[0127] Lactose Monohydrate Filler 83

[0128]

[0129] Table 9 shows that at 1% conventional dilution rate, Composition 3 did not result in sedimentation of the active ingredient. However, when Composition 3 was diluted to a ULV (10% v / v) dilution suspended solid particles were observed forming sediment after 30 minutes. Table 9

[0130] Composition 3 Sedimentation after 30 minutes dilution (%w / v)

[0131] 1 No

[0132] 10 Yes

[0133]

[0134] Table 10 describes a WP solid composition in which the filler of Composition 3 has been replaced by hydrotropes (Composition 4).

[0135] Table 10

[0136] Component Role Mass%

[0137] Thiamethoxam Active ingredient 10

[0138] AEROSOL OT-B Wetting agent 2

[0139] MORWET D425 Dispersing agent 5

[0140] Nicotinamide Filler 83

[0141]

[0142] It has been surprisingly found that replacing the filler material of the solid formulation with hydrotropes prior to ULV (10% v / v) dilutions prevents sedimentation of the active ingredient.

[0143] Table 11 shows that sedimentation of Composition 4 does not occur at the ULV dilutions when the filler has been replaced by hydrotropes.

[0144] Table 11

[0145] Composition 4 Sedimentation after 30 minutes dilution (%w / v)

[0146] 1 No

[0147] 10 No

[0148]

[0149] It can be seen that hydrotropes can be utilised as a UAV tank mix product or as part of a built-in composition and achieve the advantageous technical results described herein.

[0150] The invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims1. An agrochemical composition comprising:(i) one or more active ingredients, in an amount from 1 to 10 % by weight (wt. %);(ii) a hydrotrope or a salt thereof, in an amount from 6 to 30 % by weight (wt. %); and (iii) water, in an amount from 60 to 93 % by weight (wt. %).

2. The agrochemical composition according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of (i) to (ii) is from 1:2 to 1:15.

3. The agrochemical composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the weight ratio of (i) to (iii) is from 1:8 to 1:100.

4. The agrochemical composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the weight ratio of (ii) to (iii) is from 1:3 to 1:11.

5. The agrochemical composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein component (ii) is an alkylbenzyl sulphonate or nicotinamide.

6. The agrochemical composition according to claim 5, wherein component (ii) is a short chain alkylbenzyl sulphonate.

7. The agrochemical composition according to claims 5 or 6, wherein component (ii) is xylenesulphonate.

8. The agrochemical composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein component (i) has a water solubility of 1 to 25 g / L.

9. The agrochemical composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein component (i) is a neonicotinoid insecticide or an acylalanine fungicide.

10. The agrochemical composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein component (i) is acetamiprid, thiamethoxam or metalaxyl-M.

11. A precursor composition, which upon dilution with water, forms a composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the precursor composition comprises from 15 to 60 % by weight of component (i); and from 10 to 30 % by weight of component (ii).

12. The precursor composition according to claim 11, wherein the precursor composition is a suspension composition (SC), or a soluble liquid (SL).

13. A precursor composition, which upon dilution with water, forms a composition according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the composition comprises from 5 to 50 % by weight of component (i); and from 70 to 95 % by weight of component (ii).

14. The precursor composition according to claim 13, wherein the composition is a wettable powder (WP).

15. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) comprising a composition according to any of claims 1 to 10.

16. A method of using the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) according to claim 15 to apply the composition as defined in any of claims 1 to 10.

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