Abstract:
An emulsifiable concentrate comprising an agriculturally active chemical, a surfactant, an organic diluent and a solvent having first and second components, the first component being capable of solubilizing the agriculturally active chemical and the second component in conjunction with the surfactant being effective to disperse the agriculturally active chemical. The inventive concentrate allows for high concentrations of the active ingredient, exhibits excellent stability and produces highly stable compositions upon dilution with water.

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 448,707, filed Dec. 11, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,463. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a delivery system for agriculturally active chemicals. More particularly, the invention relates to an emulsifiable concentrate of difficult to dissolve agricultural chemicals. 
     II. Description of the Prior Art 
     Agricultural chemicals are most preferably applied in the form of aqueous emulsions, solutions, or suspensions. Occasionally, they may also be applied in the form of a dust wherein the active ingredient is adsorbed onto or mixed with a finely divided inert carrier material, such as, china clay, or the like. With such powdered or dust compositions, drift due to wind is a problem and consequently, liquid formulations are preferred. 
     One of the problems with such liquid formulations is the fact that chemicals having agricultural activity often exhibit extreme insolubility in water. This results in their having to be dissolved either in organic solvents or utilized in the form of emulsions or suspensions. With respect to the use of organic solvents, these are generally disadvantageous from an environmental and cost viewpoint. Particularly, such organic chemicals may exhibit toxicity or side-effects which may be adverse to the effect of the agricultural chemical itself or to the subsequent fruit or vegetable produced in the particular agricultural use. This toxicity may also be disadvantageous with respect to handling. 
     When attempts are made to provide emulsified or suspension formulations, difficulties are encountered with respect to providing a desirably high concentration of the agriculturally active ingredient. Thus, when such agriculturally active chemicals are formulated into an emulsion, it is difficult to maintain the emulsified state. This makes it difficult to maintain a uniform formulation, particularly, when the formulation is diluted with water for application to the plants. 
     Typically, for example, the agriculturally active ingredient is mixed with one or more of a variety of conventional solvents and an emulsifying agent to form a concentrate. This concentrate may be an emulsion, suspension, or solution. The concentrate is then stored until it is transported to the site of use or may simply be transported and stored at the site of use. In any event, the concentrate normally will undergo some period of storage until it is ready for use. Understandably, it is most desirable to be able to transport the agriculturally active ingredient at the highest concentration possible so as to minimize the volume of material which need be transported. By the same token, however, at the use site, it is normally not feasible to admix ingredients together or to process them other than to dilute the concentrate with water. Accordingly, it is important that the concentrate emulsify easily, i.e., exhibit good &#34;bloom&#34;, upon the addition of water. In addition, at the use site, it is often necessary to store the diluted concentrate for extended time periods until the actual application to the plants. Consequently, it is important that the diluted form of the concentrate exhibit good stability with respect to the uniformity of the emulsion and to avoid precipitation of the active ingredients. If non-uniformity or precipitation occurs in the diluted form, then non-uniformity will result in the application of the diluted formulation to the plants. 
     An attempt to provide concentrates of agriculturally useful chemicals is disclosed in South African Patent Application No. 695,393, filed Jul. 25, 1969. This application is directed to the formulation of a concentrate substantially water-insoluble pesticides for agricultural use. The pesticides, either in oil or solid form, are mixed with pyrrolidones having a hydrogen or a lower alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms attached to the nitrogen atom of the pyrrolidone ring. The application discloses that concentrated solutions of difficult to dissolve pesticides could be formulated and that such concentrates exhibited good stability The concentrates utilized are those containing the pesticidal active ingredient, the particular lower alkyl pyrrolidone, a co-solvent which is usually a common organic solvent, such as, an aromatic including xylene, methylated and polyalkylated naphthalenes and aliphatic solvents, and a dispersing or emulsifying agent, such as, a surfactant, including polyoxyethylene alkylphenols, polyoxyethylene fatty esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty esters which may be blended with oil-soluble sulfonates, calcium and amino-sulfonate salts, and the like. 
     This prior art does not offer a solution to the problem arising from the difficulty in maintaining the stability of the emulsion after the concentrate is diluted with water. Consequently, unless the diluted form of the concentrate is used immediately after emulsification, it is difficult to provide a stable diluted formulation for application to the plants. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,837 discloses an emulsifiable concentrate of the pesticidal compound (CGA): ##STR1## 
     This active concentrate contains 10% of the active ingredient using 30% cyclohexanone as the solvent. However, cyclohexanone is highly toxic. For such agricultural uses, it is desirable to avoid the use of toxic solvents, including those of Lists 1 and 2 of 40 C.F.R. 154.7 dated Apr. 22, 1987, which includes inerts of toxicological concern and solvents having high flash points, as well as to increase the amount of the agriculturally active material in the concentrate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     We have discovered a novel emulsifiable concentrate of an agriculturally active chemical, which concentrate provides, upon dilution, a highly stable emulsion. In addition, the inventive emulsifiable concentrates may contain relatively high concentrations of the agriculturally active ingredient making it advantageous from both economic and handling viewpoints. Also, the concentrates of the present invention utilize organic materials which do not pose environmental problems either in use or handling. 
     More particularly, the emulsifiable concentrate of the present invention is composed of an agriculturally active chemical, a surfactant, an organic diluent, and a solvent having a first component and a second component. 
     The first component of the solvent is selected from those compounds which have a sufficiently high hydrophilic property to solubilize the agriculturally active chemical. Preferably, the first component will have the following Hansens&#39; solvent parameters: 
     Dispersable component from about 40 to 50%; 
     Polar components of from about 25 to 40%; and 
     H-bonding components of 10 to 30%. 
     The second component is a hydrophobic solvent having the following Hansens&#39; solubility parameters: 
     Dispersive component from about 56 to 75%; 
     Polar component from about 8 to 24%; and 
     H-bonding component of from about 10 to 30%. 
     This second component should also have surfactant properties and act as a non-ionic surfactant with an HLB value ranging from about 2 to 8. 
     For a discussion of the solubility parameters, see C.R.C. Handbook of Solubility Parameters and Other Cohesion Parameters, Allan F. M. Barton, 1983, Table 9, p. 167-170. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As used herein, the term &#34;agriculturally active chemical&#34; includes compounds and mixtures thereof which can be used as agricultural fertilizers, nutrients, plant growth accelerants, herbicides, plant growth controlling chemicals, and chemicals which are effective in killing plants, insects, microorganisms, fungi, bacteria and the like which are commonly referred to as insecticides, bactericides, fungicides, nematocides, fumigants, and the like, as well as any other chemicals having properties which are suitable for agricultural uses in terms of application to plants or domestic uses for controlling insects and pests. Particularly, such chemicals would normally take the form of water-immiscible or oily liquids and/or solids which is substantially insoluble in water. By the term &#34;substantially insoluble&#34;, it is meant that for all practical purposes, the solubility of the compound in water is insufficient to make the compound practicably usable in an agricultural end use without some modification either to increase its solubility or dispersability in water, so as to increase the compound&#39;s bioavailability or avoid the use of excessively large volumes of solvent. 
     Suitable agriculturally active chemicals which can be used with the present invention include insecticides, such as, cyclocompounds, carbamates, animal and plant derivatives, synthetic pyrethroids, diphenyl compounds, non-phosphates, organic phosphates, thiophosphates, and dithiophosphates. (See Agricultural Chemicals, Book I, Insecticides, 1989 Revision by W. T. Thomson, Thomson Publications.) Typical of the insecticides are: 
     
         ______________________________________cyclocompounds:        6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro-        1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-6,9-methano-        2,4,3-benzodioxathiepin-3-oxidecarbamates:  2-isopropyl phenyl-N-methyl        carbamate;        2-(1,3-dioxolan-2yl) phenylmethyl        carbamate;        2,3-isopropylidine dioxyphenyl        methyl carbamate;animal and plant        chlorinated hydrocarbons derivedderivatives: from Southern pine; naturally        occuring lactone glycoside;synthetic    (±) α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (±) cis,pyrethroids: trans 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-di-        methyl cyclopropane carboxylate;        (±) cyano (3-phenoxyphenyl methyl        (±)-4-(difluoromethyoxy) α-(-1-        methylethyl) benzene acetate;phenoxy compounds        2,2-bis(p-methoxy phenyl)-1,1,1,tri-and non-phosphate:        chloroethane;        1,3,5,tri-n-propyl-1,3,5-triazine-        2,4,6 (1H,3H,5H) trione;        ethyl (2E, 4E)-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,4-        dodeca dienoate;        1-decycloxy 4-[(7-oxa-oct-4-ynyl)]-        oxybenzene;organic phosphates:        dimethyl phophate ester of 3-hy-        droxy-N,N-dimethyl-cis-crotonamide;        2-chloro-1-(2,4-dichloro phenyl)        vinyl diethylphosphate;        4-(methyl thio) phenyl dipropyl        phosphate;thiophosphates:        0,0-diethyl-0-4-nitrophenyl phos-        phorothioate;        0,0-diethyl-0-(2,isopropyl-6-methyl-        5-pyrimidinyl) phosphorothioate;        2-diethylamino-6-methyl pyrimidine-        4-yl dimethyl phosphorothioate;dithiophosphates:        0,0-dimethyl phosphorodithioate        ester of diethylmercapto succinate        0-ethyl-S-phenyl ethyl phosphorodi-        thioate.______________________________________ 
    
     Typical herbicides include phenoxy compounds, benzoic, acetic, and phthalic acids, aniline derivatives, nitriles, amides acetamides, anilides, carbamates, thiocarbamates, and heterocyclic nitrogen derivatives, e.g., triazines, pyridines, pyridazones, picolinic acid, and urea derivatives and phosphates. (See Agricultural Chemicals, Book II, Herbicides, 1986-87 Edition, W. T. Thomson, Thomson Publications, Fresno, Calif. 93791.) Exemplary of the above compounds are: 
     
         ______________________________________phenoxy compounds:        2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid        2,4,5-trichloro phenoxyacetic acid;        4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyric        acid;        S-ethyl 2 methyl-4-chlorophenoxy-        thioacetate;        2-methyl-4-chloro-phenoxy acetic        acid;        methyl 5-(2,4-dichloro-phenoxy)-2-        nitrobenzoate;benzoic and acetic        3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acidacids of phthalic        4-chloro-2-oxo benzothiazolin-3-ylcompounds:   acetic acid;        N-1-Naphthyl-phthalamic acid;nitriles and aniline        3-5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzo-nitrile;derivatives: α,α,α,trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,        N-dipropyl-p-tolinidine;        N-(1-ethylpropyl)-2,6-dinitro-3,4-        xylidine;amides, acetamides,        N,N-diethyl-2-(1-naphthalenyl oxy)-anilides:    propionamide;        2,6-dimethyl-N-2&#39; methoxy-ethyl-        chloro-acetanilide;        3&#39;,4&#39;-dichloro-propionanilide;        α-chloracetic-N-(3,5,5-trimethyl-        cyclohexen-1-yl)-N-isopropylamide;        4-benzyl-N-isopropyl trimethyl        acetamide;thiocarbamates:        S-Ethyl dipropyl thiocarbamate;urea derivatives:        3-(5-tert-butyl-3-isoxazoyl)-1,1-        dimethyl urea;        N-(2,6-trifluoro-benzoyl)-N&#39;-[2,5-        dichloro-4-(1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoro-        propyloxy) phenyl] urea;pyrrolidone  1-(m-trifluoro methyl phenyl)-3-derivatives: chloro-4-chloromethyl-2-pyrrolidone;amino acid   methyl N-benzoyl-N-(3-chloro-4-derivatives: fluorophenyl)-DL alarinate;        N-chloroacetyl-N-(2,6-diethyl        phenyl)-glycine ethyl ester;carbamates:  Isopropyl-m-chlorocarbanilate;        3-Ethoxy (carbonyl aminophenyl)-N-        phenyl carbamate;heterocyclics:        4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-        pyridyloxy acetic acid;        4-(1,2-Dimethyl-N-propyl amino)-2-        ethyl amino-6-methyl thio-S-        triazine;        2-[4,5-dihydro 4-methyl-4-(1-methyl        ethyl)-5-oxo-1 H-imidazoyl-2yl-3-        byridinecarboxylic acid;        2-[3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2,2,2-        trichloroethyl) oxinane;        Butyl-9-hydro-fluorene-(9)-        carboxylate;        2-[1-(ethoxy imino) butyl]-3-        hydroxy-5-(2H-tetra hydro thiopyran-        3-yl)-2-cyclohexene-ione;        2-(2 chlorophenyl) methyl-4,4-        dimethyl-3-iso oxazolidinone;phosphates:  0-ethyl-0-(3-methyl-6-nitro phenyl)        N-sec-butyl phosphoro thio amidate.______________________________________ 
    
     Typical fungicides include (See Agricultural Chemicals, Book IV, Fungicides, 1989 Revision, W. T. Thomson, Thomson Publications, Fresno, Calif. 93791): 
     
         ______________________________________organic compounds:        2,5-dimethyl-N-Cyclohexyl-N-methoxy-        3-furan carboxamide;        5-Ethyoxy-3-trichloromethyl-1,2,4-        thiadiazole;        3-(2-methyl piperidino) propyl 3,4-        dichlorobenzoate;        N,N&#39;-(1,4-piperazinediyl bis (2,2,2-        trichloro) ethylidene) bis        formamide;        Tetramethyl thiuram disulfide:        0-Ethyl-S,S,diphenyl-dithiophos-        phate;        5,10-dihydro-5,10-dioxo naphtho        (2,3,9)-p-dithiin-2,3-dicarbo-        nitrile;        2-(Thiocyano methyl thio) benzothia-        zole;        α-2-(4-chlorophenyl) ethyl]-α-(1,1-        dimethyl ethyl)-1 H-1,2,4-triazole-        1-ethanol;morpholines: N-tridecyl-2,6-dimethyl morpholine;        4-N-dodecyl-2,6-dimethyl morpholine;______________________________________ 
    
     Typical fumigants, growth regulators, repellants, and rodenticides include (See Agricultural Chemicals, Book III, Fumigants, 1988-1989 Revision, W. T. Thomson, Thomson Publications, Fresno, Calif. 93791): 
     
         ______________________________________growth regulants:         1,2 Dihydro-6-ethyoxy-2,2,4-tri-         methylquinoline;         (2-chloroethyl) phosphoric acid;         4-[acetamino) methyl]-2-chloro-N         (2,6-diethyl phenyl acetamide;         Benzoic acid, 3,6 dichloro-2-         methoxy,2-ethoxy-1-methyl-2-oxo         ethyl ester;repellants:   0,0-dimethyl-0-[(4-methyl thio)-m-         tolyl] phosphorothioate;         Tetriary butyl-sulfenyl dimethyl         dithio carbamate;seed softener:         2-chloro-6-(trichlomethyl) pyridine;         5-ethoxy-3-trichloromethyl-1,2,4-         thiadiazole;         N-phenyl-N&#39;-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl         urea;______________________________________ 
    
     Pesticides may be characterized by their physical properties, depending on their physical state at normal or ambient conditions, i.e., between 40° F. and 90° F. and their solubility or miscibility with water or other common organic solvents, e.g., aromatics, such as, toluene, xylene, methylated and polyalkylated naphthalenes, and aliphatic solvents. 
     Based on the physical properties, the pesticides may be classified into two groups. The first group includes those which are oily liquids at ambient temperatures and are immiscible with water. Specific pesticides include: 
     Common esters of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 
     Common esters of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 
     Common esters of 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) propionic acid, 
     Common esters of 2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenozy) propionic acid, 
     Common esters of 2,4-dichlorobutyric acid, 
     Common esters of 2,methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid, 
     Common esters of 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, 
     Piperonyl butoxide 3,4-methylenedioxy-6-propyl benzyl n-butyl diethylene glycol ether, 
     Bromophos ethyl: 0,0-diethyl-0-2,5-dichloro-4-bromophenyl thionophosphate, 
     N-(2-mercaptoethyl) benzene-sulfenamide (BETASAN®), 
     Isobornyl Thiocyanoacetate (Thanite®), 
     Ioxynil ester of octanoic acid, 
     Molinate S-ethyl hexahydro - 1 H - azepine-1-carbothioate, 
     PP 511 0,0-dimethyl-(2-diethylamine 4-methyl-6-pyrimidinyl) carbamate, 
     PP 211 0,0-diethyl 0-(2-diethylamine-4-methyl-6-pyrimidinyl) phosphorocarbamate, Chlordane 
     5-Ethoxy-3-(trichlorometyl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole (TERRAZALE®), 
     Ethyl-s-s-dipropyl-phosphodithioate (MOCAP®), 
     S-Ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTAM®), 
     S-Ethyl diisobutylthiocarbamate (SUTAN®), 
     S-n. propyl-di-n-propylthiocarbamate (VERNAM®), 
     S-propyl butylethylthiocarbamatae (TILLAM®), 
     S-ethyl ethylcyclohexylthiocarbamate (RO-NEET®), 
     Malathion (S-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-0,0-dimethyl phosphorodithioate), 
     Diazinon (0,0-diethyl,0-(2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-pyrimidinyl) phosphorothioate, 
     O-Ethyl-S-phenyl-ethylphosphonodithioate (DYFONATE®), Toxaphene (Octachlorocamphene), 
     Bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxy benzonitrile ester of n.octanoic acid, 
     2-chloro-N-2,6-diethylphenyl-N-methoxymethylacetamide (LASSO®), 
     Diallate S-2,3-dichloroallyl N,N-diisopropylthiolcarbamate, Triallate S-2,33-trichloroallyl N,N-diisopropylthiolcarbamate. 
     The second group comprises those pesticides which are solids at ambient temperatures and for all practical purposes, insoluble in water. 
     2,4,5-T (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid) 
     Monuron (3-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea) 
     Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea) 
     Bromacil (5 bromo-3-sec. butyl-6-methyl uracil) 
     Isocil (5 bromo-3-isopropyl-6-methyl uracil) 
     Linuron (3-(3,4 dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1 methyl urea 
     Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6 isopropylamino-s-trriazine) 
     Simazine (2-chloro-4,6,-bis (ethylamino)-s-triazine 
     Dodine (n-dodecylguanidine acetate) 
     Thiram (tetramethylthiuram disulfide) 
     N-(mercaptomethyl)phthalimide s-(o,o dimethylphosphorodithioate) (IMIDAN®) 
     Lindane (gamma 1,2,3,4,5,6 hexachlorocyclohexane) 
     Folpet (N-trichloromethylphthalimide) 
     Manazon (s-(4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl methyl)dimethyl phosphorothiolthionate) 
     Barban (4-chloro-2 butynyl m-chlorocarbanilate) 
     Tricumba 2-methoxy-3,5,6-trichlorobenzoic acid 
     Trifluralin (2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-trifluoromethylamiline) (2,3 dihydro-5-carboxanilido-6-methyl-1,4-oxathiin) (VITAVAX®) 
     2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid 
     4-(4-chloro-2 methylphenoxy) butyric acid 
     2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) propionic acid 
     Ioxynil: 3,5 diiodo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile 
     Bromoxynil: 3,5 dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile 
     Carbaryl: 1-naphthyl-N-methylcarbamate 
     Methoxychlor: 2,2,-Bis(p-methoxyphenyl)-1,1-trichloroethane 
     PP 781: 4(2-chloro phenylhydrazono)-3-methyl-5-isoxazolone* 
     PP 675: 5-butyl-2-dimethylamino-4-hydroxy-6-methyl pyrimidine* 
     PP 062: 5,6-dimethyl-2-dimethylamino-4 pyrimidinyl dimethylcarbamate* 
     PP 149: 5-n-butyl-2 ethylamino-4-hydroxy-6 methylpyrimidine* 
    
     C 6313 N&#39;-(4-bromo-3-chlorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methylurea 
     C 6989 2,4&#39;dinitro-4-trifluoromethyl-diphenylether 
     Chloroxuron N&#39;-4-(chlorophenoxy) phenyl-NN-dimethylurea 
     Dichlobenil 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile 
     Diphenamid NN-dimethyl-2,2-diphenylacetamide 
     Fenac 2,3,6-trichlorophenylacetic acid 
     Fluometuron N&#39;-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-NN-dimethylurea 
     GS 14260 4-ethylamino-2-methylthio-6-t-butyl-amino-1,3,5-triazine 
     PCP Pentachlorophenol 
     Lenacil 3-cyclohexyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-cyclo-pentapyrimidine-2,4-(3H,5H)-dione 
     Pyrazon 5-amino-4-chloro-2-phenyl-3-pyridazone 
     Metrobromuron N&#39;-(4-bromophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methylurea 
     Metoxymarc N-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N&#39;,N&#39;-dimethylurea 
     Neburon N-butyl-N&#39;-(3,4-dichlorophenyl-N-methylurea 
     NIA 11092 1,1-dimethyl-3-[3-(n-t-butyl carbamyloxy)phenyl] urea 
     Mecoprop 2-(4-chloro-2 methylphenoxy)propionic acid 
     Monolinuron N&#39;-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methylurea 
     Nitrofen 2,4-dichlorphenyl 4-nitrophenylether 
     Propanil N-(3,4-dichlororphenyl)propionamide 
     Pyriclor 2,3,5-trichloro-4-pyridinol 
     Solan 3&#39;-chloro-2-methyl-p-volerotoluidide 
     Terbacil 5-chloro-3-t-butyl-6-methyluracil 
     UC 22463 (SIRMATE)-3,4-dichlorobenzyl N-methylcarbamate 
     WL 9385 2-Azido-4-ethylamino-6-t-butylamino-s-triazine 
     Propachlor 2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide 
     CP 50144 2-chloro-N-2,6-diethylphenyl-N-methoxymethylacetamide 
     CP 31675 2-chloro-N-(2 methyl-6-t-butylphenyl)acetamide 
     Cypromid 3&#39;,4&#39;-dichlorocyclopropane carboxanilide 
     Fenuron NN-dimethyl-N&#39;phenylurea 
     Chlorbromuron N&#39;-(4-bromo-3-chlorophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methylurea 
     Ametryne 2-methylmercapto-4-ethylamino-6-isopropyl-amino-s-triazine 
     Prometryne 2-methylmercapto-4,6-bisisopropyl amino-s-triazine 
     DCPA dimethyl 2,3,5,6, tetrachloroterephthalate 
     Benefin N-butyl-N-ethyl-2,2,2-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine 
     Nitralin 2,6-dinitro-4-methylsulfonyl-NN-dipropyl-aniline 
     PP 493 2,6-difluoro-3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxy pyridine 
     CNP 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl-4&#39;-nitrophenyl ether 
     Pentachloro nitrobenzine 
     1-(butile carbamoyl)-2-benzimidazol carbamic acid, methyl ester (BENLATE®) 
     Typical examples of first components suitable for use in the solvent are alkylpyrrolidones having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, cyclic lactones, e.g., gamma-butyrolactone, lower alkyl cyclic carbonates, i.e., ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, lower akylimidazolone, e.g., N-N,dimethylimidazolone, lower alkylamides of formic acid and acetic acid, e.g., dimethyl formamide and dimethylacetamide, and lower alkyl sulfoxides, e.g., dimethylsulfoxide. (The term &#34;lower alkyl&#34; in these examples means one or two carbons.) Mixtures of these may also be used as the first component. 
     Examples of appropriate second components include alkylpyrrolidones having an alkyl portion containing from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, e.g., octylpyrrolodone, dodecylpyrrolidone, or N-(2&#39;-ethylhexylpyrrolidone), alkyl gamma-butyrolactones, alkyl cyclic carbonates and combinations thereof, wherein the alkyl chains contain from 6 to 14 carbon atoms. The alkyl portion may be distributed at one or more sites on the ring so long as one portion contains at least 6 carbon atoms and the total number of alkyl carbon atoms does not exceed 14. For each of the above examples, the 6 to 14 carbon alkyl portions may be straight or branched. 
     Preferably, the first component is selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidones having the formula ##STR2## wherein R is hydrogen or lower alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R 1  is lower alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. 
     The second component is preferably selected from pyrrolidones having the formula ##STR3## wherein R 2  is hydrogen or alkyl having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms and R 3  is alkyl having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms with the proviso that at least one of R 2  or R 3  must contain at least 6 carbon atoms and the sum of the carbon atoms in R 2  and R 3  cannot exceed 14. 
     The inventive composition further comprises an organic diluent which is a synthetic or naturally occurring oils having a high hydrophobic character or having a fractional dispersive solubility parameter of greater than 70% and preferably greater than 85% and a molar volume of greater than 90 cm 3  /mole. These properties are defined in the C.R.C. Handbook referred to hereinabove. Typical diluents include soybean oil, rapeseed oil, long chain alcohols, long chain ketones, long chain esters, and ethers. As used herein, &#34;long chain&#34; means with 6 or more carbon atoms. Also suitable as the organic diluent are aromatic petroleum oils including those which are commercially available distillates from crude oils having an average boiling point greater than 200° C. Typical of such materials are those sold under the trademarks Exxon 200 or Texaco 400. Of course, such aromatics should be approved for use as a carrier for agriculturally active chemicals. 
     The composition of the aromatic petroleum oil is generally: 
     Heavy aromatic solvent naphtha--about 60%; 
     Middle distillate solvent extractant--about 40%. 
     Normally, these oils contain predominantly the C 9  -C 15  aromatic hydrocarbons and primarily the C 10  -C 12  hydrocarbons having a flash point of about 203° F. 
     In the inventive composition, the amount of solvent is in the range from about 20 to 90%, and the amount of diluent is about 80 to 10%, based on the weight of solvent and diluent in the composition. With respect to the so)Vent, the amount of the first component is from about 5 to 95%, and preferably, 20 to 80%; and the amount of the second component is from about 5 to 95%, and preferably, 20 to 80%, based on the weight of the solvent. 
     The inventive composition also contains one or more additional emulsifier or surfactant which is generally selected on a case by case basis in order to optimize the solubility and stability of the emulsion. Typically, such emulsifiers include ethoxylated alkyl phenols, linear aliphatic polyesters, linear aromatic polyesters, polyethoxylated alcohols, linear aliphatic ethoxylates, polyethoxylated castor oil, polyethoxylated carboxylates, and polyethoxylated alkylamines. Anionic surfactants may be used as the emulsifier and include phosphate esters and their salts, alkyl sulfonamides, salts of sulfated nonylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol, salts of alkylbenzene sulfonates, salts of alkylnaphthalene sulfonate, and sulfonated aliphatic polyesters and their salts. Also suitable are complex phosphate esters of nonionic surfactants of the ethylene oxide type which are mixtures of diesters of phosphoric acid. (See, for example, McCutcheon&#39;s, Emulsifiers and Detergents (1989), published by McCutcheon&#39;s Division of M.C. Publishing Co., Glen Rock, N.J.) Generally, the amount of emulsifier (surfactant) is from about 1 to 25% based on the total weight of the composition. 
     The agriculturally active chemical (sometimes referred to herein as AAC) concentration should be as high as possible so long as it does not precipitate out upon dilution of the concentrate with water for a reasonable period of time and achieves the desired effect. With the present invention, it is possible to obtain concentrates with agriculturally active chemical concentrations in excess of 5 weight percent which form a stable emulsion upon being diluted with water. Depending on the particular agriculturally active chemical, the concentration of the AAC is from about 5 to 60% based on the total weight of the composition before dilution. 
    
    
     The following examples illustrate the present invention*: 
    
     EXAMPLE 1 
     A series of twelve compositions wherein the amount of a first pyrrolidone component (N-methylpyrrolidone), second pyrrolidone component (N-octylpyrrolidone) and aromatic solvent were varied using a surface-active agent from 14.3% to 22.2% by weight and agriculturally active chemical from 25.8% to 41.6% by weight. (See Table 1.) The surface-active agent was Gafac RE-610 (ethoxylated phosphate ester), and the agriculturally active chemical (AAC) was N-(1-ethylpropy)-2,6-dinitro-3,4-xylidine (PRL). 
     FORMULATIONS 
     Formulations were made by mixing together the components comprising of each composition by weighing the exact proportion of ingredients in a bottle. The solvents were weighed in first. The AAC was dissolved completely in the solvent system followed by addition of the wetting agent or emulsifying agent. Typically, about 20 g of each of the formulations was prepared. As an illustration, formulation #11 included in Table 1-2 was prepared by weighing together the following ingredients in a one ounce bottle: 
     
                       TABLE 1-1______________________________________N-methylpyrrolidone 2.75 g  20.4%N-octylpyrrolidone  1.25 g  9.3%Aromatic Petroleum oil -               1.00 g  7.4%Exxon 200PRL                 5.50 g  40.7%(N-1 ethyl propyl)-2,6-dinitro-3,4-xylidine(92% Tech.)Phosphate ester     3.00 g  22.2%(Gafac RE-610)TOTAL:              13.50 g 100.0%______________________________________ 
    
     The contents were stirred well in an automatic rocking shaker for about 30 minutes when the AAC dissolved completely. The samples thus prepared were evaluated for freeze-thaw stability on storage and ease of emulsification and emulsion stability on dilution. 
     FREEZE-THAW STABILITY 
     The concentrates were stored for a period of 24 hours in the cold (temperature 5° C.) in a refrigerator and taken out and thawed to room temperature and then stored at 55° C. in an oven for a period of 24 hours. The alternate storage in the cold (5° C.) and warm condition at 55° C. was repeated for three cycles. Any separation during the storage was recorded. A concentrate is &#34;stable&#34; if there is no substantial separation after the 24 hour cycles at each temperature. 
     Evaluation of Emulsion Stability and Ease of Emulsification 
     A Nessler tube (1.8 cm diameter; 28 cm long) was filled with appropriate quantity (47-48 g) of World Health Organization (WHO) standard (6 g of CaCl 2  and 2.78 g of MgCl 2  6H 2  O dissolved in 20L) hard water having a hardness of 342 ppm expressed as Na equivalent. Using a serological pipette, 0.5-2.5 g of emulsion concentrate was dropped into the Nessler tube containing 47.5-49.5 g water. The initial bloom was observed at zero time without stirring and the quality of the bloom was graded by visual appearance as shown below. The Nessler tube was stopped and inverted 20 times; the bloom was again recorded and so also stability as judged by volume or height of the sedimentation (cream/ppt/oil) followed at different intervals of time: 0, 1 hour, 2 hours, up to 24 hours. 
     Stability of Diluted Concentrate 
     The composition of the cencentrate (EC) diluted with water was considered &#34;stable&#34; if at EC concentrations of from 0.2 to 1%, the composition after mixing (twenty inversions) exhibited two mm or less cream and no oil in one hour. Both top and bottom should be checked. 
     
         ______________________________________Bloom:  Excellent Thick emulsion cloud with no             separation   Good      Emulsion cloud may be thin, or may             exhibit trailing, small number of oil             droplets within cloud   Poor      Many oil droplets within cloud, some             droplets separate from cloud______________________________________ 
    
     Each of the emulsifiable concentrates thus prepared were analyzed for ease of emulsification (bloom) upon addition of water and after twenty inversion of the sample as well as emulsion stability upon dilution with water. The composition of the samples are set forth in Table 1-2 and the results of the analysis are set forth in Table 1-3. The freeze-thaw stability was measured as follows: Compositions 1 through 7 included in Table 1-2 passed freeze-thaw stability test when stored at -10° C. to 55° C. for 3 cycles of 24 hour periods. Compositions 8 through 12 included in Table 1-2 passed freeze-thaw stability test when stored at 5° C. to 55° C. for 3 cycles of 24 hour periods. Formulations 11 showed maximum freeze-thaw stability with PRL at 40.7%. 
     
                                           TABLE 1-2__________________________________________________________________________Ingredient  1   2   3   4    5   6   7   8    9   10  11  12__________________________________________________________________________N-methylpyrrolidone       30.0           33.0               0   30.0 24.0                            60.0                                0   18.2 22.2                                             29.7                                                 20.4                                                     14.8(M-Pyrol)N-octylpyrrolidone       30.0           15.0               0   0    18.0                            0   60.0                                    7.3  6.7 3.7 9.3 11.0(LP-100)Aromatic oil       0   12.0               60.0                   30.0 18.0                            0   0   11.0 8.2 3.7 7.4 11.0(Exxon 200)Gafac RE-610       14.3           14.3               14.3                   14.3 14.3                            14.3                                14.3                                    21.9 22.2                                             22.2                                                 22.0                                                     22.0PRL, 92% Tech.       25.9           25.9               25.8                   25.8 25.8                            25.8                                25.8                                    41.6 40.7                                             40.7                                                 40.7                                                     41.2Solvent ratioM-pyrol     50  55  0   50   40  100 0   50   60  80  55  40LP-100      50  25  0   0    30  0   100 20   18  10  25  30Ar. Exxon 200       0   20  100 50   30  0   0   30   22  10  20  30Water used for       WHO WHO WHO WHO  WHO WHO WHO WHO  WHO WHO WHO WHOdilutionhardness ppm       342 342 342 342  342 342 342 342  342 342 342 342Concentration       0.65           0.65               0.65                   0.65 0.65                            0.65                                0.65                                    0.83 0.83                                             0.83                                                 0.83                                                     0.83of AAC (% indiluted sample)__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     
                                           TABLE 1-3__________________________________________________________________________EMULSION STABILITY AND BLOOM CHARACTERISTICS          Stability          Thickness ofBloom          Separation                 Separation afterBloom at After 20          cream, oil or                 Mixing and standing for:Zero Time    Inversions          precipitation                 1    2    24*        **    at 0 time                 hours__________________________________________________________________________1  poor-fair    excellent           20 mm &lt;1 mm                      &lt;1 mm                           crystals          cream ppt        to the top2  excellent    excellent          0      0    0    0   spont.3  excellent    excellent           2 mm   2 mm                       2 mm                             2.5 mm4  excellent    excellent          &lt;1 mm  &lt;1 mm                       1 mm                            1 mm5  excellent    excellent          0      0    0    0   spont.6  excellent    excellent          0      0    0    &lt;1 mm7  poor  excellent           1 mm  &lt;1 mm                       1 mm                            4 mm                           cream on                           bottom                            4 mm                           oil on top8  excellent    excellent          &lt;1 mm  trace                      trace                           trace9  excellent    excellent          0      0    0    trace10 excellent    excellent          trace  0    0    &lt;1 mm   spont.11 excellent    excellent          trace  0    0    trace   spont.12 excellent    excellent          &lt;1 mm  trace                      trace                           trace   spont.__________________________________________________________________________ *The descriptions have the following meanings: poor-fair  emulsion produced between one and five minutes excellent  emulsion produced after two seconds spontaneous  emulsion produced instantly **excellent  complete emulsification obtained. Thick emulsion cloud with no separation. **good  emulsion cloud may be thin, or may exhibit trailing, small number of oil droplets within cloud **poor  many oil droplets within cloud, some droplets separate from cloud 
    
     EXAMPLE 2 
     A second series of two experiments was carried out using the following formulation: 
     
                       TABLE 2-1______________________________________1.         CGA (98% Tech.)   22.2%2.         N-methylpyrrolidone                        33.3%3.         N-octylpyrrolidone                        16.7%4.         Texaco Aromatic 400                        16.7%5.         Gafac RE-610 (GAF)                        11.1%                        100.0%______________________________________ 
    
     This composition was prepared by weighing out the individual quantities of the ingredients and adding the anionic emulsifier (5) to the N-methylpyrrolidone, admixing the agriculturally active chemical to this mixture, adding the N-octylpyrrolidone to the resulting mixture, and finally, adding the aromatic diluent (4) and mixing the entire composition to make it uniform. The formulation thus prepared was clear. Samples of the formulation were stored at -10° C. and 55° C. for each of three 24 hr. periods. No precipitation nor separation of any of the ingredients was observed for the samples. 
     The concentrate thus prepared was diluted in a standard 37 cm×2 cm Nessler&#39;s tube using WHO standard water. Two dilutions of emulsifiable concentrate to water of 5:100 and 0.6:100 were prepared. The bloom characteristics and emulsion stabilities of each of these dilutions are set forth in Table 3. 
     
                       TABLE 2-2______________________________________EMULSION STABILITY ANDBLOOM CHARACTERISTICS        Formulation        I.         II.______________________________________Conc. of active          22%          22%Dilution:      2.5:47.5     0.3:49.8          (1/20)       (1/167)Water used for dilution          WHO standard WHO standard          342 ppm      342 ppmCon. of active in the          1.11%        0.13%diluted sampleBloom at 0 time          spontaneous  spontaneousAfter 20 inversions          excellent    excellentSeparation or Precipita-tion after mixing andstanding for: 1 hour        none         none 2 hours       none         none 4 hours       none         none10 hours       none         none24 hours       none         none______________________________________ 
    
     EXAMPLE 3 
     A third series of experiments were carried out using the following compositions: 
     
                       TABLE 3-1______________________________________               3.I   3.II______________________________________1.     CGA (98% Tech)     20.4%   10.3%2.     N-methylpyrrolidone                     34.2%   38.5%3.     N-octylpyrrolidone 17.0%   19.2%4.     Soybean oil        17.0%   19.2%  (White Rose polyunsaturated  vegetable oil)5.     Gafac E-610 (GAF)  11.4%   12.8%                     100.0%  100.0%______________________________________ 
    
     The compositions were prepared by weighing out individual ingredients 1 through 4 and dissolving the anionic emulsifier (5) in the admixture. The entire composition was mixed in an automatic rocking shaker to obtain a uniform and clear composition. Samples of the formulations I and II were stored at -10° C. and 55° C. for each of three 24 hour periods. No separation or precipitation of any ingredients was observed in the two samples. The concentrates thus obtained were each diluted in a standard 37 cm×2 cm Nessler&#39;s tube with two different diluents. In one case, the diluent was deionized water and in the other case, acetic acid at pH 2.5. Two dilutions of emulsifiable concentrate to diluent at 1:20 and 1:66 were prepared for each diluent. The bloom characteristics and emulsion stabilities of each of these dilutions are set forth in Table 4. 
     
                                           TABLE 3-2__________________________________________________________________________EMULSION STABILITY AND BLOOM CHARACTERISTICS  Formulation  I      II     III    IV     V      VI     VII    VIII__________________________________________________________________________Emulsifiable  3.I    3.I    3.II   3.II   3.I    3.I    3.II   3.IIconcentrateusedconc. of AAC  20.4%  20.4%  10.3%  10.3%  20.4%  20.4%  10.3%  10.3%water used  deionized         deionized                deionized                       deionized                              acetic acid at pH 2.5for dilution  water  water  water  waterdilution  2.5/50 0.3/50 2.5/50 0.3/50 2.5/50 0.3/50 2.5/50 10.3/50factorconc. in the  1.02%  0.12%  1.02%  0.12%  1.02%  0.12%  1.02%  0.12%dilutedsampleBloom  spontaneous         spontaneous                spontaneous                       spontaneous                              spontaneous                                     spontaneous                                            spontaneous                                                   spontaneousbefore mixing  Excellent         Excellent                Excellent                       Excellent                              Excellent                                     Excellent                                            Excellent                                                   Excellentafter 20  Excellent         Excellent                Excellent                       Excellent                              Excellent                                     Excellent                                            Excellent                                                   Excellentinversionsseparationafter mixingand standingfor:30 min.  *      *      *      *      yes, &lt;1 mm                                     none   none   none 1 hour  none   none   none   none   *      none   none   1 mm oil 2 hour  yes, 1-2 mm         none   none   none   *      none   none   * 3 hour  *      *      *      *      *      1 mm   1 mm   * 4 hour  yes    yes, 1-2 mm                none   none   *      *      *      * 5 hour  yes    yes    yes    yes    *      *      *      *__________________________________________________________________________ *Not measured. 
    
     The above experiment was performed for evaluation of the formulation to be used as a direct feed to host animals as an insecticide. The compositions 3.I and 3.II were also diluted with soybean oil to result in 1000 ppm in AAC and did not form any ppt or separation. Thus, the formulation could be fed to the host animal (dogs) as is, or as a diluted sample in vegetable oil, e.g. soybean oil. 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     Use of N-octylpyrrolidone and N-dodecylpyrrolidone in combination. 
     A fourth series of experiments were carried out using the following five compositions: 
     
                       TABLE 4-1______________________________________      4.1   4.2     4.3     4.4   4.5______________________________________1. N-methylpyrroli-        33.0%   33.0%   33.0% 33.0% 33.0%   done2. N-octylpyrrolidone        0%      10.0%   5.0%  7.5%  15.0%3. N-dodecylpyrroli-        15.? %  5.0%    1.0%  7.5%  0%   done4. Aromatic petroleum        12.%    12.0%   12.%  12.0% 12.0%   oil - Exxon-2005. Gafac RE-610        14.2%   14.2%   14.2% 14.2% 14.2%   (GAF)6. PRL (same as in        25.8%   25.8%   25.8% 25.8% 25.8%   Example 1):   92% Tech______________________________________        100.0%  100.0%  100.0%                              100.0%                                    100.0%______________________________________ 
    
     The compositions were prepared as explained in Example 1. Each of the emulsified concentrates thus prepared was analyzed for ease of emulsification and emulsion stability as explained under Example 1. Results are summarized in Table 4-2. These formulations passed three cycles of freeze-thaw between -10° C. and 55° C. 
     
                                           TABLE 4-2__________________________________________________________________________EMULSION STABILITY AND BLOOM CHARACTERISTICS      Formulation      I    II   III  IV   V__________________________________________________________________________Emulsifiable      4.1  4.2  4.3  4.4  4.5concentrate usedconc. of AAC      25.8%           25.8%                25.8%                     25.8%                          25.8%water used for      WHO 342 ppm hardnessdilutiondilution factor      1.2/48.8           1.2/48.8                1.2/48.8                     1.2/48.8                          1.2/48.8conc. of CGA in      0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6%diluted sampleBloom before mixing      Fair Excellent                Fair Excellent                          ExcellentBloom after      Excellent           Excellent                Excellent                     Excellent                          Excellent20 inversionsseparation after mixingand standing for: 1 hour    &lt;1 mm           0    Trace                     0    Trace 2 hour     1 mm           0    Trace                     0    Trace 3 hour     1 mm           0    &lt;1 mm                     0    Trace24 hour     2 mm           0     1 mm                     0    Trace__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     EXAMPLE 5 
     Tank Mix Compatibility 
     A formulation containing 16.6% of the ammonium salt of 2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methyl ethyl)-5 OXO-1 H-imidazol-2-yl]-3 quinoline carboxylic acid, (referred to herein as SCP) in the water was prepared by dissolving an appropriate quantity of the free acid in an ammonium hydroxide solution containing a stoichiometric amount of the base. The final pH was adjusted to 7.2. It is customary to use the PRL of Example 1 in conjunction with SCP in the ratio of 6:1 for better weed control. The following experiment demonstrates the compatibility of different AAC&#39;s in the composition of the invention. 
     Formulations 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 were diluted as shown in Example 4 and summarized in Table 4-2, except that 0.5 g of SCP (16.6%) was also added to the water. The effect on stability and emulsion bloom from the two AAC&#39;s present are summarized in Table 5-1. 
     
                                           TABLE 5-1__________________________________________________________________________EMULSION STABILITY AND BLOOM CHARACTERISTICSMixed AAC&#39;s-Tank Mix CapabilityFormulation      I    II   III  IV   V__________________________________________________________________________Emulsifiable      4.1  4.2  4.3  4.4  4.5concentrate used(Example 4)conc. of AAC      25.8%           25.8%                25.8%                     25.8%                          25.8%(Example 1)water used for      WHO 342 ppm hardnessdilutionconc. of PRL-SCP      1.05%           1.05%                1.05%                     1.05%                          1.05%in diluted sampleconc. of PRL      1.00%           1.00%                1.00%                     1.00%                          1.00%in diluted sampleconc. of SCP      0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%in diluted sampleBloom at 0-time      Excellent           Excellent                Excellent                     Excellent                          Excellentbefore mixingBloom after      Excellent           Excellent                Excellent                     Excellent                          Excellent20 inversionsseparation after mixingand standing for: 1 hour    &lt;2 mm           &lt;2 mm                &lt;1 mm                     1 mm 2 mm 3 hour     2 mm            4 mm                 1 mm                     2 mm 4 mm18 hour     2 mm            4 mm                 2 mm                     2 mm 4 mm__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     Conclusion 
     Use of the two component system of the invention is advantages compared to using either component alone in terms of ACC stability. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     Tank mix compatibility was also demonstrated by making the following formulations using PRL and a freezed-dried SCP. The following formulation was prepared as explained in Example 1. 
     
                                           TABLE 6-1__________________________________________________________________________         6.1  6.2  6.3  6.4  6.5__________________________________________________________________________1. N-methylpyrrolidone         35.3%              35.3%                   35.3%                        35.3%                             35.3%2. N-octylpyrrolidone         16.1%              12.0%                   8.0% 4.0% 0%3. N-dodecylpyrrolidone         0%   4.0% 8.0% 12.0%                             16.0%4. Aromatic petroleum         12.8%              12.8%                   12.8%                        12.8%                             12.8%   oil-Exxon-2005. Gafac RE-610 (GAF)         9.2% 9.2% 9.2% 9.2% 9.2%6. PRL: 92% Tech         23.0%              23.0%                   23.0%                        23.0%                             23.0%7. SCP        3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7%   (See Example 6A)         100.0%              100.0%                   100.0%                        100.0%                             100.0%__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     The formulations shown in Example 6, i.e., 6.1 through 6.5 were diluted and the emulsion bloom and stability were evaluated as shown earlier. The results are summarized in Table 6-2. These formulations, i.e., 6.1 through 6.5, passed three cycles of freeze-thaw at 5° C. to 55° C. 
     EXAMPLE 6A 
     16.8 g of SCP 97.4% Tech. were stirred with 52 ml in ammonium hydroxide until complete solution resulted. The sample was filtered over a Whatman #4 filter under suction. The filtrate was freeze-dried at 80° C. and ≦1000 milliliter vacuum for a period of 24 hours. 
     
                                           TABLE 6-2__________________________________________________________________________EMULSION STABILITY AND BLOOM CHARACTERISTICSFormulation      I     II    III   IV    V__________________________________________________________________________Emulsifiable      6.1   6.2   6.3   6.4   6.5concentrate usedconc. of PRL      23.0% 23.0% 23.0% 23.0% 23.0%    SCP    3.7%  3.7%  3.7%  3.7%  3.7%water used for      WHO 342 ppm hardnessdilutiondilution   2.5/47.5            2.5/47.5                  2.5/47.5                        2.5/47.5                              2.5/47.5factorconc. of PRL      1.15% 1.15% 1.15% 1.15% 1.15%in diluted sampleconc. of SCP      0.185%            0.185%                  0.185%                        0.185%                              0.185%in diluted sampleBloom upon Good  Good  Good  Fair  ExcellentadditionBloom after      Excellent            Excellent                  Excellent                        Excellent                              Excellent20 inversionsseparation 4 mm  4 mm  4 mm  4 mm  2 mmbefore mixingseparation after mixingand standing for: 1 hour    4 mm  4 mm  2 mm  2 mm  2 mm 4 hour    4 mm  4 mm  2 mm  2 mm  3 mm18 hour    4 mm  4 mm  2 mm  2 mm  3 mm__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     Formulations 6.3 and 6.4 produced improved stability on dilution. The cream re-emulsified after 10 inversions and reappeared 15 minutes after the 10 inversions. 
     EXAMPLE 7 
     The following formulations 7.1 through 7.5 were prepared exactly as explained in Example 1, except that N 3 ,N 3 , di-N-propyl-2,3-dinitro-6-trifluoromethyl-M-phenylenediamine (PRO) was used. These formulations passed three cycles of freeze-thaw at 5° C. to 55° C. 
     
                                           TABLE 7-1__________________________________________________________________________         7.1  7.2  7.3  7.4  7.5__________________________________________________________________________1  N-methylpyrrolidone         34.7%              34.7%                   34.7%                        34.7%                             34.7%2. N-octylpyrrolidone         15.8%              11.8%                   7.9% 4.0% 0%3. N-dodecylpyrrolidone         0%   4.0% 7.9% 11.8%                             15.8%4. Aromatic petroleum         12.6%              12.6%                   12.6%                        12.6%                             12.6%   oil-Exxon-2005. Gafac RE-610 (GAF)         10.6%              10.6%                   10.6%                        10.6%                             10.6%6. PRO: 94.7% Tech         26.3%              26.3%                   26.3%                        26.3%                             26.3%         100.0%              100.0%                   100.0%                        100.0%                             100.0%__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     The above formulations were diluted and the emulsion characteristics were evaluated as before. The results are summarized in Table 8. The results show that the use of dodecylpyrrolidone or a mixture of 75:25 N-dodecylpyrrolidone and N-octylpyrrolidone used as the second component resulted in better emulsion stability when compared to use of N-octylpyrrolidone alone. 
     
                                           TABLE 7-2__________________________________________________________________________EMULSION STABILITY AND BLOOM CHARACTERISTICSFormulation      I    II   III   IV   V__________________________________________________________________________Emulsifiable      7.1  7.2  7.3   7.4  7.5concentrate usedconc. of PRO      26.3%           26.3%                26.3% 26.3%                           26.3%water used for      WHO 342 ppm hardnessdilutiondilution factor      2.5/47.5           2.5/47.5                2.5/47.5                      2.5/47.5                           2.5/47.5conc. of PRO in      1.31%           1.31%                1.31% 1.31%                           1.31%diluted sampleBloom at 0-time      Excellent           Excellent                Excellent                      Excellent                           Excellentbefore mixingBloom after      Excellent           Excellent                Excellent                      Excellent                           Excellent20 inversionsseparation 1 mm 1 mm Trace 0    0before mixingseparation after mixingand standing for:0 hour     2 mm 2 mm 0     0    01 hour     2 mm 2 mm &lt;1 mm Trace                           Trace2 hour     3 mm 3 mm 1.5                   mm 1 mm 1 mm3 hour     3 mm 3 mm 1.5                   mm 1 mm 1 mm4 hour     4 mm 4 mm 2  mm 1 mm 1 mm__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     EXAMPLE 8 
     The following formulations 8.1 through 8.16 were prepared exactly as explained in Example 1 except that a fungicide N,N&#39;-(1,4-piperazinediyl bis (2,2,2-trichloro) ethylidene)bisformamide (TRI) was used. 
     
                                           TABLE 8-1__________________________________________________________________________         8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9__________________________________________________________________________  N-methylpyrrolidone         42.6%             42.6%                 42.6%                     42.6%                         42.6%                             42.6%                                 42.6%                                     44.0%                                         15.0%  N-octylpyrrolidone         19.4%             19.4%                 9.7%                     9.7%                         --  --  --  10.0%                                         40.0%  N-dodecylpyrrolidone         --  --  9.7%                     9.7%                         19.4%                             19.4%                                 19.4%                                     10.0%                                         --  Aromatic petroleum         15.5%             15.5%                 15.5%                     15.5%                         15.5%                             15.5%                                 15.5%                                     16.0%                                         --  oil - Exxon-200  Gafac RE-610         6.4%             --  6.4%                     --  6.4%                             --  --  10.0%                                         --  Gafac RM-710         --  6.4%                 --  6.4%                         --  6.4%                                 --  --  5.0%  TRI         16.1%             16.1%                 16.1%                     16.1%                         16.1%                             16.1%                                 16.1%                                     10.0%                                         7.5%  Dodecyl benzene         --  --  --  --  --  --  6.4%                                     --  --  sulfonic acid Tech: 97%  Aromatic petroleum         --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  32.5%  oil - Texaco-15010.  Iso octylpyrrolidone         --  --  --  --  --  --  --  6.4%                                         --  (N-2&#39;ethyl hexyl-  pyrrolidone)         100.0%             100.0%                 100.0%                     100.0%                         100.0%                             100.0%                                 100.0%                                     100.0%                                         100.0%__________________________________________________________________________                 8.10                     8.11                         8.12                             8.13                                 8.14                                     8.15                                         8.16__________________________________________________________________________   1.     N-methylpyrrolidone                 24.0%                     24.0%                         24.0%                             32.0%                                 32.0%                                     32.0%                                         24.0%   2.     N-octylpyrrolidone                 32.0%                     16.0%                         --  32.0%                                 16.0%                                     --  --   3.     N-dodecylpyrrolidone                 --  16.0%                         32.0%                             --  16.0%                                     32.0%                                         --   4.     Aromatic petroleum                 24.0%                     24.0%                         24.0%                             16.0%                                 16.0%                                     16.0%                                         24.0%     oil - Exxon-200   5.     Gafac RE-610                 8.0%                     8.0%                         8.0%                             8.0%                                 8.0%                                     8.0%                                         8.0%   6.     Gafac RM-710                 --  --  --  --  --  --  --   7.     TRI         12.0%                     12.0%                         12.0%                             12.0%                                 12.0%                                     12.0%                                         12.0%   8.     Dodecyl benzene                 --  --  --   -- --  --  --     sulfonic acid Tech: 97%   9.     Aromatic petroleum                 --  --  --  --  --  --  --     oil - Texaco-150   10.     Iso octylpyrrolidone                 --  --  --  --  --  --  32.0%     (N-2&#39;ethyl hexyl-     pyrrolidone)                 100.0%                     100.0%                         100.0%                             100.0%                                 100.0%                                     100.0%                                         100.0%__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     The ease of emulsification and emulsion stability of the above six formulations were evaluated after dilution, as before, and the results are summarized in Table 8-2. 
     
                                           TABLE 8-2__________________________________________________________________________EMULSION STABILITY AND BLOOM CHARACTERISTICS__________________________________________________________________________       Formulation       I    II   III  IV   V    VI   VII  VIII IX__________________________________________________________________________Emulsifiable       8.1  8.2  8.3  8.4  8.5  8.6  8.7  8.8  8.9concentrate usedconc. of TRI       16.1%            16.1%                 16.1%                      16.1%                           16.1%                                16.1%                                     16.1%                                          10%  7.5%water used for dilution       WHO 342 ppm hardnessdilution factor       2.45/47.5            2.45/47.5                 2.45/47.5                      2.45/47.5                           2.45/47.5                                2.45/47.5                                     2.45/47.5                                          0.8/49.2                                               1.0/49conc. of TRI in       0.81%            0.81%                 0.81%                      0.81%                           0.81%                                0.81%                                     0.81%                                          0.16%                                               0.15%the diluted sampleBloom before mixing       Fair-            Fair Fair-                      Fair Fair-                                Fair-                                     Poor Poor Poor       Good      Good      Good Goodafter 20 inversions       Excellent            Excellent                 Excellent                      Excellent                           Excellent                                Excellent                                     Excellent                                          Excellent                                               Excellentseparation at 0 time       4 mm 5 mm 3 mm 5 mm 3.5 mm                                --   8 mmppt/separations aftermixing and standing for: 0 hour     0    0    0    0    0    0    0 1 hour     2 mm 2 mm   2 mm                      4 mm   2 mm                                  2 mm                                     4 mm, oil                                          --   -- 2 hour     2 mm 2 mm   2 mm                      4 mm   2 mm                                  3 mm                                     4 mm, oil                                          Trace                                               0 4 hour     4 mm 4 mm 3.5 mm                      5 mm 3.5 mm                                3.5 mm    &lt;1 mm                                               024 hour                                         1 mm                                               1 mm                                               oil on top*after 24 hour settling,filtered through screens 60 mesh                                       +    -100 mesh                                       +    -250 mesh                                       ++   -__________________________________________________________________________                 Formulation                 X    XI   XII  XIII XIV  XV   XVI__________________________________________________________________________     Emulsifiable                 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16     concentrate used     conc. of TRI                 12%  12%  12%  12%  12%   12% 12%     water used for dilution                 WHO 342 ppm hardness     dilution factor                 0.7/49.3                      0.7/49.3                           0.7/49.3                                0.7/49.3                                     0.7/49.3                                          0.7/49.3                                               0.7/49.3     conc. of TRI in                 0.17%                      0.17%                           0.17%                                0.17%                                     0.17%                                          0.17%                                               0.17%     the diluted sample     Bloom before mixing                 Fair Good Fair Fair Fair Fair Fair     after 20 inversions                 Excellent                      Excellent                           Excellent                                Excellent                                     Excellent                                          Excellent                                               Excellent     separation at 0 time     ppt/separations after     mixing and standing for:      0 hour      1 hour     Trace                      Trace                           0    Trace                                     Trace                                          Trace                                               Trace      2 hour     --   --   --   --   --   --   --      4 hour     Trace                      Trace                           Trace                                &lt;1 mm                                     &lt;1 mm                                          Trace                                               &lt;1 mm     24 hour     1.5 mm                      1 mm &lt;1 mm                                 1.5 mm                                      1 mm                                          1 mm &lt;1 mm     *after 24 hour settling,     filtered through screens      60 mesh    -    ++   ++   +    -    -    +     100 mesh    +    +    +    +    +    -    +     250 mesh    +    ++   ++   ++   ++   +    ++__________________________________________________________________________ * - means no sediment; + means trace; ++ means more than trace sediment but unmeasurable by weighing. 
    
     EXAMPLE 9 
     The following formulation 9.1 was prepared exactly as explained in Example 1, except that N-(2&#39;-ethylhexylpyrrolidone) was used in the place of N-octylpyrrolidone. 
     
                       TABLE 9-1______________________________________Formulation and % Composition                   9.1______________________________________1.       N-methylpyrrolidone  33.0%2.       N-(2&#39;-ethylhexylpyrrolidone)                         15.0%3.       Aromatic Petroleum    oil - Exxon 200      12.0%4.       PRL Tech. 92% (see    Example 1)           26.0%5.       Gafac RE-610 (GAF)   14.0%    TOTAL                100.0%______________________________________ 
    
     This formulation did not freeze at 5° C. The ease of emulsification and stability on dilution are shown in Table 9-2. 
     
                       TABLE 9-2______________________________________           Formulation           9.1______________________________________Conc. of PRL:     26.0%Water used for dilution             WHO 342 PPM hardnessDilution factor   2.5 g/47.5 gConc. of PRL in the             1.3%diluted sampleBloom at 0 time   ExcellentBloom after 20    ExcellentinversionsSeparation of creamafter 20 inversionsand on standing after: 1 hour           Trace 3 hours          &lt;1 mm 4 hours          &lt;1 mm24 hours          &lt;1 mm______________________________________ 
    
     After standing for 24 hours, 20 inversions and filtration through 60 mesh, 100 mesh and 250 mesh screens, no sediment was left, even on a 250 mesh screen.