Polyurea Microparticles for Stable Cinmethylin Herbicide Compositions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing herbicide formulations combining cinmethylin with other herbicides like quinmerac, flufenacet, or diflufenican face issues such as crystal growth, Ostwald ripening, and increased phytotoxicity, and require expensive, ecologically incompatible emulsifiers like vinylpyrrolidone co- or terpolymers.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising cinmethylin encapsulated in polymeric microparticles with a polyurea shell, surrounded by a polymeric material, and combined with herbicides like quinmerac, picolinafen, or diflufenican, which are not present in the microparticles, to prevent incompatibility and maintain high initial biological activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cinmethylin is combined with quinmerac in a suspoemulsion, then the herbicide spectrum is broadened, but crystal growth and Ostwald ripening occur after storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveherbicide spectrumVSAvoidformulation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation is segmented into two distinct parts: cinmethylin is encapsulated within polymeric microparticles (core), while quinmerac remains in the continuous phase (shell). This physical separation prevents direct interaction between the two herbicides, eliminating crystal growth and Ostwald ripening, while still allowing both to function together for broad-spectrum weed control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The microparticle structure implements a nested configuration where cinmethylin is embedded inside polymeric microparticles, which are then dispersed in the continuous phase containing quinmerac. This nested arrangement maintains stability by isolating the incompatible substances while preserving their combined herbicidal efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If cinmethylin is combined with picolinafen in an emulsion concentrate, then the herbicide spectrum is broadened, but phytotoxicity on cultivated plants increases severely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveherbicide spectrumVSAvoidphytotoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The formulation separates cinmethylin into encapsulated microparticles while keeping picolinafen in the continuous phase, preventing direct contact between the two herbicides. This segmentation eliminates the synergistic phytotoxic effect while preserving the broad-spectrum herbicidal activity against weeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The polymeric microparticle shell acts as an intermediary barrier between cinmethylin and picolinafen, preventing direct interaction that would otherwise cause severe phytotoxicity. The microparticle structure mediates the compatibility issue while allowing both herbicides to function for expanded weed control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If different herbicides are formulated separately, then incompatibility problems are avoided, but commercialization becomes disadvantageous and tank mix incompatibility may shift the problem

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation stabilityVSAvoidcommercialization ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges two previously separate formulations into a single stable commercial product. By encapsulating cinmethylin in microparticles, the formulation combines the benefits of separate formulations (no incompatibility) with the advantages of a single product (ease of application, no tank mixing required), enabling straightforward commercialization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 composition remains stable during storage, avoids sediment formation and phytotoxicity, and maintains high herbicidal efficacy against weeds, particularly effective against herbicide-resistant species like Alopecurus myosuroides.

Implementation Method 1

microparticles which comprise cinmethylin and a polymeric material which surrounds or embeds cinmethylin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEncapsulation:

Implementation Method 2

the shell comprises polyurea obtainable by polyaddition reaction of at least one aliphatic or aromatic polyisocyanate and at least one aliphatic polyamine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization:

Data Source

PatentEP3568015B1Composition comprising cinmethylin-containing microparticles and a further herbicide

Publication Date: 2025.07.09 BASF AGRO BV

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition containing microparticles which comprise cinmethylin and a polymeric material which surrounds or embeds cinmethylin, and at least one herbicide different from cinmethylin. The invention further relates to a method for preparing such compositions and the use of such compositions for controlling undesired vegetation.