Co-crystal Formation for Agricultural Formulation Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many agriculturally active organic compounds, such as fungicides and herbicides, have low melting points or are amorphous, making it difficult to formulate them into stable suspension concentrates due to tackiness and phase-separation issues, which affects their stability and homogeneity.
Innovation Solution
The formation of crystalline complexes between thiophanate-methyl and compounds like pyraclostrobin, epoxiconazole, and metconazole, which have a defined crystal structure and higher melting points, facilitating their incorporation into stable solid or liquid formulations by exploiting hydrogen bonding and other intermolecular forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If agriculturally active organic compounds with low melting points or amorphous structures are used, then formulation flexibility is improved, but stability and homogeneity deteriorate due to phase-separation and particle aggregation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite crystalline materials by combining agriculturally active compounds with co-crystal formers. These co-crystals have defined crystal structures and higher melting points than the original amorphous compounds, providing both formulation flexibility and stability. The composite structure prevents phase-separation while maintaining the active compound's functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the agriculturally active compounds by forming co-crystals. This transforms amorphous materials with low melting points into crystalline materials with higher melting points and defined structures, thereby improving stability without sacrificing formulation adaptability.
2Ease of manufacture
If amorphous solid agriculturally active compounds are formulated, then ease of formulation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to particle aggregation and segregation
Solution Approach 1:
By forming co-crystals as composite materials, the patent maintains ease of formulation while dramatically improving reliability. The co-crystal structure provides defined physical properties that prevent particle aggregation and segregation, ensuring consistent formulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition from amorphous to crystalline state through co-crystal formation. This phase change provides a stable solid structure that maintains formulation reliability while preserving manufacturability through controlled crystallization processes.
3Ease of operation
If compounds with low melting points are used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to tackiness causing grinding apparatus to stick
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the melting point parameter by forming co-crystals. The resulting crystalline materials have higher melting points and reduced tackiness, enabling precise grinding and manufacturing while maintaining ease of operation through controlled physical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The co-crystal former acts as an intermediary that modifies the physical properties of the agriculturally active compound. This intermediary forms a stable crystalline structure that prevents sticking during grinding while maintaining the active compound's bioavailability and effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The crystalline complexes exhibit increased stability and improved formulation characteristics, including enhanced melting points and resistance to phase-separation, allowing for more effective and stable incorporation into agricultural formulations.
Implementation Method 1
In the crystalline complexes (or co-crystals) at least two different organic compounds form a crystalline material having a defined crystal structure... the at least two organic compounds have a defined relative spatial arrangement within the crystal structure, thereby forming a supra-molecular structure... In the co-crystals the at least two different compounds interact by non-covalent bonding such as hydrogen bonds
Implementation Method 2
Crystalline complexes of organic compounds, also termed as co-crystals are multi-component crystals or crystalline material that consist of at least two different organic compounds which are usually solid at 25°C or at least a non-volatile oil... having a defined crystal structure, i. e. the at least two organic compounds have a defined relative spatial arrangement within the crystal structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to crystalline complexes comprising at least one agriculturally active organic compound A having at least one functional moiety which is capable as serving as a hydrogen acceptor in a hydrogen bond and thiophanate-methyl.