Esterified Polyol Alkoxylate Penetrants for Agrochemicals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing penetrants for agrochemical formulations lack reproducibility, flexibility, and control in their synthetic process, leading to complex mixtures with limited applicability and potential phytotoxicity, necessitating the development of more defined and purer products with broader applicability.

Innovation Solution

The use of esterified and/or etherified polyol alkoxylates, specifically formed by directly esterifying or etherifying polyol alkoxylates with a defined structure, providing improved leaf penetration properties and reduced phytotoxicity, allowing for broader applicability in agrochemical formulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If naturally occurring triglycerides are used as starting materials for penetrant synthesis, then the process is simpler and more natural, but the products become complex mixtures with limited reproducibility and purity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of synthesis processVSAvoidreproducibility and purity of product

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the synthesis process into controlled stages using defined polyol starting materials with specific hydroxyl group counts (2-6 groups). This segmentation allows precise control over the alkoxylation and esterification reactions, producing penetrants with defined molecular structures and consistent properties, unlike the complex mixtures from natural triglycerides

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the starting material from natural triglycerides (complex mixtures) to defined polyols (pure compounds with specific molecular weights and hydroxyl group counts). This parameter change enables precise control over the number of oxyalkylene chains and ester groups, achieving both reproducibility and purity while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If existing penetrants are used in agrochemical formulations, then leaf penetration is enhanced, but phytotoxicity effects may occur on the plant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration enhancement capabilityVSAvoidphytotoxicity on plant

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by designing penetrant molecules with specific functional groups distributed in controlled patterns - polyol cores with 2-6 hydroxyl groups that are partially or fully alkoxylated and esterified. This localized structural control ensures enhanced penetration capability at the molecular level while maintaining biocompatibility and reducing phytotoxicity effects on plants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If complex alkoxylated triglyceride products are produced, then penetration enhancer activity is achieved, but the formulation applicability is limited and selection must be carefully done

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration enhancer activityVSAvoidformulation applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention achieves universality by producing penetrants from polyols with 2-6 hydroxyl groups that can be systematically modified through alkoxylation and esterification. This multi-functional approach creates a series of penetrants with varying molecular weights and structures that can be selected and adapted for different agrochemical formulations and application requirements, greatly enhancing formulation applicability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 described penetrants exhibit enhanced leaf penetration and deposition characteristics with reduced phytotoxicity, enabling better control of pests with lower active ingredient levels and broader formulation compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

adjuvants, and in particular penetration enhancers, are used in agrochemical formulations to aid and enhance the activity and penetration of an agrochemical active ingredient through the leaf cuticle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPenetration enhancement: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

Adjuvants may provide improved leaf surface wetting, leaf surface penetration of the active

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP2925124B1Penetrants for agrochemical formulations

Publication Date: 2020.01.15 CRODA INT PLC

AI summary

An agrochemical formulation comprising a penetrant and an agrochemical active. The penetrant is an esterified and/or etherified polyol alkoxylate obtainable by directly esterifying and/or etherifying a polyol alkoxylate. There is also provided a method of making the penetrant comprising alkoxylation of a polyol, and esterification or etherification of the formed poyol alkoxylate. The penetrant is suitable for use in agrochemical formulations to enhance penetration of the active across a leaf cuticle.