MIXED HERBICIDAL COMPOSITIONS

Abstract: Homogeneous herbicidal compositions were prepared by dissolving a water-insoluble ester of fluroxypyr or triclopyr in an aqueous solution of an alkali metal or amine salt of an herbicidal acid, such as 2,4-D, MCPA, or dicamba.

Description: MIXED HERBICIDAL COMPOSITIONS This invention relates to the field of agricultural chemicals, and in particular to the formulation of compositions of agricultural chemicals in forms convenient for application, by conventional spray techniques. Many agricultural chemicals, particularly herbicides, are water- insoluble, and their formulation into compositions which can be applied conveniently in the field therefore generally involves the use of various adjuvants and carriers, including, in particular, organic solvents. Organic solvents are, however, increasingly thought to be environmentally unacceptable, and much effort has been applied in recent years to the production of agricultural formulations which contain no organic solvents, or at least which have only low levels of organic solvents . Attempts have also been made in recent years to co- formulate two or more herbicidally active compounds, in order to provide compositions with a broader spread of activity that can be achieved by use of one compound alone. US-A-4637830 is concerned with a herbicidai concentrate which addresses some of these needs, and provides a concentrate comprising a salt of a phenoxy acid herbicide, together with an alkanoate (particularly the octanoate) of ioxynil or bromoxynil. It is clear, however, from the disclosure of this reference that it is considered to be very surprising that the particular ioxynil and bromoxynil esters are compatible with the phenoxy acid salts, and indeed it is found that most herbicidai esters are not compatible with phenoxy acid salts in such a manner. Detailed investigations subsequent to the date of US-A-4637830 have indicated that the commonly established esters of herbicides such as fluroxypyr, and haloxyfop are not compatible with herbicidai acid salts, in that it is not possible to formulate the two herbicides together in a single phase aqueous composition. WO-94/24866 is concerned with the preparation of herbicidai compositions which are emulsifiable concentrates, concentrated aqueous emulsions, wettable powders, or dispersable granules containing fluroxypyr derivatives. The fluroxypyr is present in the form of an ester which is a liquid at 25°C. Various other herbicides may also be present, in order to produce combination products, and phenoxy acids and their esters are mentioned. There is no mention however of salts of herbicidai acids, nor any suggestion that it might be possible to provide combination products of fluroxypyr esters which are aqueous solutions, rather than emulsions or emulsifiable (i.e., non-aqueous) concentrates. We have now determined that a number of other herbicidai esters which are not structurally similar to ioxynil and bromoxynil alkanoates will dissolve in salts of acid herbicides, in particular salts of phenoxy acid herbicides, to provide storage stable single phase compositions. The esters in question surprisingly have in common the feature that they are liquids rather than solids, at 25°C. Because the herbicidai esters in question are not structurally similar to ioxynil and bromoxynil octanoate, it would not have been predicted from US-A-4637830 that the use of these particular herbicidai esters would result in stable aqueous compositions. Accordingly, in a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a herbicidai composition, which is a stable, homogeneous aqueous concentrate comprising a herbicidai salt, and a water-insoluble herbicide, wherein the herbicidai salt is a sodium, potassium, ammonia, dimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, or triethanolamine salt of 3, 6, -dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba); 2,4-di chloro-phenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D); 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid (MCPA) 2- (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) propionic acid (CMPP) ,* 2- (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid (2,4-DP),- 4- (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) butyric acid (MCPB); 4- (2, 4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid (2,4-DB), 2, 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy propionic acid (mecoprop) , or ( (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)σxy)acetic acid (triclopyr) and wherein the water-insoluble herbicide is an ester of fluroxypyr or triclopyr, which is a liquid at 25°C. The herbicidai salt used in the concentrate of the present invention may have as its anion any of 2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) , • 2,4-di chloro-phenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D); 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid (MCPA) 2- (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) propionic acid (CMPP); 2- (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid (2,4-DP); 4- (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) butyric acid (MCPB); 4- (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid (2,4-DB), 2,4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy propionic acid (mecoprop), or ( (3,5, 6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy)acetic acid (triclopyr) The most preferred are 2,4-D, MCPA, and triclopyr. The counter-ion may be sodium, potassium, ammonia, dimethylamine, diethylamine, monoethanolamine, triethylamine, diethanolamine, or triethanolamine, the dimethylamine, triethylamine, ethanolamine, and potassium salts being preferred. The quantity of the herbicidai salt employed affects the solubility of the ester in the composition. Generally, the more herbicidai salt is employed, the greater the solubility of the ester. The amount of salt may be from l to 99 percent, preferably from 15 to 80 percent, more preferably from 40 to 70 percent by weight of the composition. The water-insoluble herbicide employed in the present invention is an ester of fluroxypyr or triclopyr, which is a liquid at 25°C. The ester is preferably formed with a Cg-C 12 alkanol, or a Cg-C 12 alkoxyalkanol. Liquid esters of fluroxypyr, in particular liquid esters of fluroxypyr with g-C 12 alkanols or Cg-C 12 alkoxyalkanols are particularly preferred. Especially preferred are the l- butoxy-2-propyl, l-butoxy-2-butyl, 1- (1-methoxy-2-propoxy) - 2-propyl, l- (l-butoxy-2-propoxy) -2-propyl, l- (1- (1-methoxy- 2-propoxy) -2-propoxy) -2-propyl, 1- (1- (l-butoxy-2-propoxy) - 2-propoxy) -2-propyl, and 2-ethylhexyl esters, as discussed in WO-94/24866. The esters of fluroxypyr of this invention can be prepared readily by methods well-known in the art, including the method described in EP-A-441457, which involves the preparation of the methyl or ethyl ester by alkylation of a salt of 4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2- pyridinol with methyl or ethyl chloroacetate and subsequent transesterification with the desired alcohol. The concentrate formulations of the present invention preferably contain from 1 to 50 percent by weight of the liquid ester, more preferably from 2.5 to 40 percent, most preferably from 5 to 30 percent. The ratio of the water- insoluble liquid ester to the herbicidai salt is preferably from 1:12 to 1:1, more preferably from 1:10 to 1:5, most preferably about 1:8. The herbicidai salt component of the compositions may be a mixture of two or more herbicidai salts. Similarly, two or more water-insoluble liquid herbicidai esters may be used. When more than one herbicidai salt or more than one herbicidai ester is employed, the total amount of the salt or water-insoluble ester employed is preferably as indicated above. A co-solvent may be employed to improve the dilution properties of the active materials. Suitable co-solvents are water-miscible materials, for example propyleneglycol ethers, propylenediethers, and pyrrolidones. Water immiscible solvents may also be used, particularly in conjunction with a water-miscible solvent (in particular, in conjunction with glycol solvents) , in order to improve the solubility of the less soluble esters, particularly at low temperatures. Suitable water-immiscible solvents are those disclosed in WO-A-94/24866. The co-solvent may be present in an amount of from 1 to 20% by weight of the composition. One or more surfactants may also be employed to improve the dilution properties. Any agriculturally acceptable surface active agent or combination of surface active agents can be employed. Examples of surface active agents that can be employed for one or more of the liquid esters of the invention include salts of alkylarylsulfonic acids (such as calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate) , alkylphenol-alkylene oxide addition products (such as nonylphenol-C 18 -ethoxylate) , alcohol-alkylene oxide addition products (such as tridecyl alcohol-C 1 g- ethoxylate) , dialkyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid (such as sodium di-2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate) , sorbitol esters (such as sorbitol oleate) , polyalkylene esters of fatty acids (such as polyethylene glycol stearate) , block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and salts of mono and dialkyl phosphate esters (such as potassium di- 2-ethylhexyl phosphate) . Some specific examples include alkali metal dialkyl sulfosuccinates sold under the name Anonaid™ or Empimin™, and fatty alcohol ethoxylates sold under the name Atlox™. Blends of ionic and non-ionic surfactants are generally preferred. Some specific examples include blends of calcium dodecylbenzene-sulfonate and block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide sold under many names, including Atlox™ and Tensiofix™. An agriculturally acceptable surface active agent is a surface active agent that meets the requirements for use in agricultural products in at least one country. Particularly preferred are a nonyphenyl EO/PO block copolymer (MAKON NI-10™) and a C 12 -C 15 alcohol ethoxylate (Synperonic A2™) . Surface active agents are typically present in concentrations of 1 to 20 percent, more preferably from 5 to 20 percent. The formulations of the present invention may, optionally, contain other agriculturally acceptable adjuvants commonly used in formulated agricultural products, such as antifoam agents, compatibilizing agents, sequestering agents, neutralizing agents and buffers, corrosion inhibitors, dyes, odorants, penetration aids, spreading agents, dispersing agents, thickening agents, freeze point depressants, antimicrobial agents, crop oil, and the like. The aqueous formulations may also contain a freeze- point depressant, such as propylene glycol, ethanol, propanol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, urea, and ammonium •chloride. Propylene glycol is often preferred. Any agriculturally acceptable freeze-point depressant that does not destabilize or detract from the efficacy of the product, however, can be employed. The aqueous compositions in accordance with the invention may be employed to produce dried herbicidai products, for example by spray-drying. Such spray-dried products may be prepared for application by simple dissolution in water. Compositions comprising the potassium salt of the herbicidai acid are particularly suitable for spray-drying. Accordingly, the invention includes within its scope a dry herbicidai formulation obtained by spray drying a composition as referred to above. Sprayable compositions in accordance with the invention may be prepared by diluting in water a concentrate in accordance with the invention, or by dissolving in water a spray dried composition in accordance with the invention. The invention also includes within its scope a method of controlling or preventing the growth of weeds, which method comprises a composition according to the invention applying to the locus of the weeds . A number of preferred embodiments of the invention are described in more detail in the following Examples. General Method of Preparation Two component herbicidai compositions comprising water-insoluble herbicide esters and herbicidai salts were prepared by simple mixing until a homogeneous liquid was obtained. The process may be accelerated by elevated temperatures of up to 60°C. The herbicidai esters used in the Examples and comparative Examples have the following melting points: M • Pt fluroxypyr butoxypropyl ester < 25 ° C triclopyr butoxyethyl ester < 25 ° C fluroxypyr l-butoxy-2-butyl ester < 25 ' ° C fluroxypyr l-methoxy-2-propoxy-2-propyl ester < 25 ' -c fluroxypyr 1-methoxy-2-propoxy-2-propoxy-2-propyl ester < 25 ' 3 C haloxyfop ethoxyethyl ester (racemic) 57 ' = C fluroxypyr 1-methyl heptyl ester 58 ' > C fluroxypyr methyl ester L25 ' > C 2, (4-cyano-2-flurophenoxy) phenoxypriopianate 45 ' 3 C haloxyfop methyl ester (R-isomer) 25 ' > C The following compositions were prepared. Examples In the following Examples, "wet basis" indicates the amounts of the various ingredients on the basis of the various commercial preparations (including water) used to prepare them. "Dry basis" indicates the equivalent dry weight of the same components. The term DMA indicates the dimethylamine salt. Example 1 wet basis dry basis fluroxypyr butoxypropyl ester 116 g/L 116 g/L 2,4-D concentrate (Commercial name DMA-6) 810 g/L 542 g/L Water to 1L 506 g/L Example 2 wet basis drv basis fluroxypyr butoxypropyl ester 116 g/L 116 g/L 2,4-D concentrate (Commercial name DMA-6) 810 g/L 542 g/L glycol ether (Dowanol PnB) 116 116 g/L Water to 1L 390 g/L Example 3 fluroxypyr butoxypropyl ester 116 g/L 116 g/L 2,4-D concentrate (Commercial name DMA-6) 810 g/L 542 g/L Dowanol PnB 116 g/L 116 g/L Surfactant MAKON NI-10 35 g/L 35 g/L Surfactant Synperonic A2 35 g/L 35 g/L Water to 1L 320 g/L Example 4 fluroxypyr butoxypropyl ester 134 g/L MCPA dimethylamine salt concentrate 768 g/L 514 g/L (Commercial name MCPA 750D) Water Balance to 1 L Example 5 triclopyr butoxyethyl ester 100 g/L 2,4-D concentrate (Commercial name DMA-6) 900 g/L 602 g/L Example 6 fluroxpyr 2-ethylhexyl 100 g/L 2,4-D concentrate (Commercial name DMA-6) 900 g/L 602 g/L Example 7 fluroxypyr butoxypropyl ester 100 g/L triclopyr triethylamine salt 900 g/L 400 g/L (commercial formulation - Garion 3A) Example 8 wet basis drv basis fluroxypyr tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether 130 g/L 2,4-D concentrate (Commercial name DMA-6) 870 g/L 528 g/L Example 9 triclopyr butoxyethyl ester 25 g/L triclopyr triethylamine salt 975 g/L 433 g/L (commercial formulation - Garion 3A) Example 10 fluroxypyr butoxypropyl ester 100 g/L Mecoprop 640 D (DMA salt) 900 g/L 477 g/L Example 11 fluroxypyr butoxypropyl ester 100 g/L MCPA 400K (potassium salt) 975 g/L 328 g/L Example 12 fluroxypyr dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether 110 g/L (DMA salt - Commercial name DMA-6) 2,4-D concentrate 890 g/L 600 g/L Example 13 fluroxypyr 1-butoxy-2-butyl ester 100 g/L (DMA salt - Commercial name DMA-6) 2,4-D concentrate 900 g/L 600 g/L All of the Examples produced clear homogeneous concentrates, which were stable at least on overnight storage. Examples 1,2,3 and 4 were subjected to an accelerated ageing test, at a range of temperatures from -10°C to 54°C, and were stable for up to 12 months. Example 14 The composition of Example 11 was spray-dried to produce a fine powder. The powder could be readily redissolved in water to reconstitute the composition. The composition of Example 3 was applied by spray to number of weed species in greenhouse trials. The test species used in the test were: a. 2,4-D susceptible weeds (not controlled by fluroxypyr) . Papaver rhoeas (field poppy) and Chenopodium album (fathen) . b. Fluroxypyr susceptible weeds (not controlled by 2,4-D) . Galium aparine (cleavers) . c. Resistant to both components. Anthemis cotula (stinking mayweed) . d. Crops: Wheat cv avalon Barley cv Igri Plants were grown under greenhouse conditions with both cultivation and test temperatures of min. 12°C, max. 20°C. Seeds were initially sown in trays of a peat compost and transplanted (at cotyledon to one leaf growth stage) , into 7 x 7 x 8 cm pots of the same peat compost. There was one plant per pot and 5 replicate pots per treatment, at treatment growth stages were: Galiuin aparine 2 whorls Anthemis cotula 7-8 leaves Papaver rhoeas 6-8 leaves Chenopodium album 4 leaves Wheat and Barley 1-1 leaves The formulation of Example 3 was made up to the required doses using tap water, and applied by spray using an application volume of 200 1/ha. Following treatment and after all foliage had dried, all plants were randomised in the greenhouse. Pots were watered by sub-pot irrigation. Plants were assessed by visual comparison of treated plants with untreated plants. Difference was expressed as Mean Visual % Control (Table 1) . Plants were also harvested by cutting at ground level and weighing the foliage. Results were expressed as mean fresh weight in grams or as mean % reduction in fresh weight. Crops were assessed by measuring crop height in cm. Results were subjected to statistical evaluation by multiple range analysis. The combined formulation was at least as effective as the application of the two components separately. Comparative Examples Various other formulations were prepared using other herbicidai esters. Comparative Example 1 wet basis drv basis haloxyfop ethoxyethylester (racemic) 100 g/L 2,4-D DMA 900 g/L 602 g L Comparative Example 2 fluroxypyr - 1 methyl heptyl ester 100 g/L 2,4-D DMA 900 g/L 602 g/L Comoarative Example 3 wet basis dry basis fluroxypyr methyl ester 80 g/L 2,4-D DMA 920 g/L 615 g/L Comparative Example 4 2,(4-cyano-2-flurophenoxy) phenoxypriopianate 100 g/L 2,4-D DMA 900 g/L 602 g/L Comparative Example 5 haloxyfop methyl ester 25 g/L 2,4-D DMA 975 g/L Although some of the compositions of Comparative Examples 1 to 5 could be formulated to produce clear solutions, by heating to 60°C, none was stable on overnight storage. Typically, the compositions would crystallise, sediment, or phase separate at ambient temperature. The composition of the present invention are particularly suitable for the treatment of broadleaf weeds for example Brassica species , Kochia species , Boreava species, Cirsium species, Matri caria , Salsola (Russian thistle) , Stellaria (chickweed) and Polygonum, in various crops, in particular in cereal crops, for example spring and winter wheat, spring and winter barley, and rye. The formulations of the present invention reduce the amount of or eliminate organic solvents that are environmentally undesirable.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A herbicidai composition, which is a stable, homogeneous aqueous solution concentrate comprising a herbicidai salt, and a water-insoluble herbicide, wherein the herbicidai salt is a sodium, potassium, ammonia, dimethy1amine, diethylamine, triethylamine, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, or triethanolamine salt of 3, 6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba); 2,4-di chloro-phenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D),- 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid (MCPA) 2- (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) propionic acid (CMPP),- 2- (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid (2,4-DP); 4- (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) butyric acid (MCPB) ; 4- (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)butyric acid (2,4-DB), 2,4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy propionic acid (mecoprop), or ( (3,5, 6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl) oxy) acetic acid (triclopyr) and wherein the water-insoluble herbicide is an ester of fluroxypyr or triclopyr, which is a liquid at 25°C. 2. A composition as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the water-insoluble herbicide is a ester of fluroxypyr or triclopyr with a Cg-C 12 alkanol or a Cg-C 12 alkoxyalkanol. 3. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the water-insoluble herbicide is an ester of fluroxypyr. 4. A composition as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the water-insoluble herbicide is a 1-butoxy-2-propyl, 1-butoxy- 2-butyl, 1- (l-methoxy-2-propoxy) -2-propyl, 1- (1-butoxy-2- propoxy) -2-propyl, 1- (1- (1-methoxy-2-propoxy) -2-propoxy) -2- propyl, 1- (1- (l-butoxy-2-propoxy) -2-propoxy) -2-propyl, or 2-ethylhexyl ester. 5. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein herbicidai salt is 2,4-D or MCPA and the water-insoluble herbicide is trichlopyr. 6. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the herbicidai salt is the dimethylamine, triethylamine, potassium, or ethanolamine salt. 7. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of the herbicidai salt is from 1 to 99 percent by weight of the composition. 8. A composition as claimed claim 5, wherein the amount of the herbicidai salt is from 15 to 80 percent by weight of the composition. 9. A composition as claimed claim 5, wherein the amount of the herbicidai salt is from 40 to 70 percent by weight of the composition. 10. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of the water-insoluble herbicide is from 1 to 50 percent by weight of the composition. 11. A composition as claimed claim 8, wherein the amount of the water-insoluble herbicide is from 2.5 to 40 percent by weight of the composition. 12. A composition as claimed claim 9, wherein the amount of the water-insoluble herbicide is from 5 to 30 percent by weight of the composition. 13. A dry herbicidai formulation obtained by spray drying - 16 - a composition as claimed in any of the preceding Claims. 14. A formulation as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the herbicidai salt is a potassium salt. 15. A sprayable herbicidai composition, prepared by diluting a composition as claimed in any one of Claims, l to 12, or by dissolving in water a composition as claimed in Claim 13 or Claim 14. 16. A method of controlling or preventing the growth of weeds, which method comprises applying to the locus of the weeds a composition as claimed in Claim 15.

Inventors: FLAHIVE EAMON, FLAHIVE, EAMON
Applicants: DOWELANCO, FLAHIVE EAMON, FLAHIVE, EAMON
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A01N43
IPC codes: A01N25, A01N37, A01N39, A01N43, A01P13