Fluroxypyr Ester Formulation Low-Temperature Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-strength formulations of fluroxypyr ester herbicides face stability issues at low temperatures and high concentrations when using aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, and alternative solvents like chlorinated solvents or 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone have less desirable environmental profiles.

Innovation Solution

A high-strength, low-temperature stable emulsifiable concentrate of fluroxypyr esters is achieved by using N,N-dimethyl (C6-C12) alkylamide as the solvent, maintaining the formulation as a clear, homogeneous liquid without crystallization down to 0°C, and allowing for standard packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If aromatic hydrocarbon solvents are used in fluroxypyr ester formulations, then the formulation achieves high concentration and stability, but the formulation becomes unstable at low temperatures and high concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation stabilityVSAvoidlow temperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the solvent system by replacing aromatic hydrocarbon solvents with N,N-dimethyl alkylamides. This parameter change in solvent chemistry enables the formulation to maintain stability at low temperatures while achieving high concentrations of fluroxypyr ester, resolving the contradiction between formulation stability and low-temperature performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If chlorinated solvents or 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone are used to achieve higher concentration formulations, then the formulation concentration increases, but the environmental profile deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation concentrationVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by selecting N,N-dimethyl alkylamides with specific carbon chain lengths (C6-C12). This parameter change enables achieving high formulation concentrations (300-600 g/L fluroxypyr ester) while using solvents with superior environmental profiles compared to chlorinated solvents or 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the formulation is made as high-strength as possible, then the amount of active ingredient increases, but the formulation crystallizes at low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive ingredient concentrationVSAvoidliquid stability at low temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the solvent parameters by using N,N-dimethyl alkylamides with optimized carbon chain lengths. This parameter change in solvent structure enables the formulation to maintain high active ingredient concentrations (300-600 g/L) without crystallization at low temperatures, as the modified solvent provides better solvation at cold temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite solvent systems comprising N,N-dimethyl alkylamides in combination with surfactants. This composite material approach creates a synergistic system where the solvent-surfactant combination maintains liquid stability at low temperatures while supporting high concentrations of fluroxypyr ester active ingredient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 formulation is biologically equivalent to existing Starane formulations, reducing environmental impact and packaging needs, while maintaining potency and stability during storage and shipping.

Implementation Method 1

a low-temperature stable, high-strength emulsifiable concentrate of fluroxypyr esters can be prepared by using an N,N-dimethyl alkylamide as the solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

The herbicidal formulation includes the fluroxypyr ester in an amount sufficient to provide the high-strength formulation with no crystallization at temperatures as low as 0°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP2034836B1High-strength, low-temperature stable herbicidal formulations of fluroxypyr esters
Publication Date: 2009.11.04 DOW AGROSCIENCES LLC

AI summary

This invention relates to a high-strength herbicidal formulation containing high concentrations of fluroxypyr ester in an N,N-dimethyl (C6-C12)alkylamide solvent which exhibits significantly greater low temperature stability at high concentrations.