Emulsifiable Concentrate Cold Stability and Eye Toxicity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emulsifiable concentrates in crop protection face issues with poor cold stability, tendency to crystallize, low pesticide concentration, and high eye toxicity.
Innovation Solution
An emulsifiable concentrate comprising a water-insoluble pesticide, 2-ethylhexyl lactate, an amide of specific formula, and acetophenone, which forms a stable oil-in-water emulsion with spontaneous formation and reduced eye toxicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional emulsifiable concentrates are used, then pesticide delivery is achieved, but cold stability is poor and crystallization occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating specific ratios of 2-ethylhexyl lactate (10-40 wt%), amides (5-20 wt%), and acetophenone (10-30 wt%), which fundamentally alters the freeze-point depression characteristics and molecular interaction patterns of the concentrate, preventing crystallization at low temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system combining three different chemical classes (lactate esters, amides, and ketones) that work synergistically to provide both cold stability and prevent crystallization, where each component contributes unique properties that compensate for the weaknesses of the others
2Quantity of substance
If conventional emulsifiable concentrates are used, then pesticide concentration is achieved, but eye toxicity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the toxicological parameters by replacing traditional high-toxicity solvents with a formulated mixture of 2-ethylhexyl lactate, amides, and acetophenone in specific proportions, maintaining solubility and concentration while reducing eye irritation classification from Category 1 to Category 2 or lower
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a intermediary solvent system that acts as a buffer between the pesticide active ingredient and the user's eyes, where the composite solvent mixture reduces direct contact irritation while still effectively delivering the pesticide, thereby decoupling concentration from toxicity
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional emulsifiable concentrates are used, then pesticide solubility is achieved, but storage stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes solubility parameters by selecting a solvent mixture with combined Hansen solubility parameters that match the pesticide's molecular characteristics, ensuring complete dissolution and long-term storage stability without precipitation or phase separation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent formulates a composite solvent system where 2-ethylhexyl lactate, amides, and acetophenone work synergistically to provide both cold stability and storage stability, with each component contributing to different aspects of solubility and stability that compensate for individual limitations
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 concentrate exhibits improved cold stability, prevents pesticide precipitation at low temperatures, allows for higher pesticide concentrations, and significantly reduces eye toxicity while maintaining long-term storage stability.
Implementation Method 1
An emulsifiable concentrate comprising a water-insoluble pesticide, a) 2-ethylhexyl lactate, b) 3% to 25% by weight of an amide of the formula (I), and c) at least 5% by weight acetophenone which forms a stable oil-in-water emulsion
Implementation Method 2
The concentrate exhibits improved cold stability, prevents pesticide precipitation at low temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
Subject matter of the present invention is an emulsifiable concentrate comprising a water-insoluble pesticide, a) an alkyl lactate, b) an amide of the formula (I) as defined herein, and c) at least 5% by weight acetophenone. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of said concentrate; an emulsion comprising water and the concentrate as defined herein; and to a method for controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired vegetation and/or undesired attack by insects or mites and/or for regulating the growth of plants, where the concentrate or the emulsion is allowed to act on the respective pests, their environment or on the crop plants to be protected from the respective pests, on the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or on the crop plants and/or their environment.