Manufacture and use of a herbicide formulation

Abstract

The invention pertains to a method for manufacture and use of a herbicidal formulation of chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicides. A number of different solvents have been found useful in this application. Furthermore, the use of surfactants that act as solvents for the acid herbicides has been discovered. These formulations have shown superior herbicidal activity when compared to standard salt and ester forms.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A herbicide composition comprising at least one chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide and at least one surfactant in an effective amount such that said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is dissolved in the surfactant and said at least one surfactant is present in a quantity equal to or greater than said at least one chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide.  
     
     
         2 . A herbicide composition comprising at least one fully solubolized chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide and at least about 8 weight % of at least one surfactant.  
     
     
         3 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises at most 25% by weight of an ester of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid.  
     
     
         4 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 2 , which further comprises at most about 15% by weight of an ester of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid.  
     
     
         5 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises at most about 10% by weight of an ester of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid.  
     
     
         6 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 2 , which further comprises at most about 5% by weight of an ester of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid.  
     
     
         7 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises at most about 2% by weight of an ester of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid.  
     
     
         8 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of at least about 10% by weight.  
     
     
         9 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of at least about 20% by weight.  
     
     
         10 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of at least about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         11 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of at least about 40% by weight.  
     
     
         12 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of at least about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         13 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight.  
     
     
         14 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight.  
     
     
         15 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight.  
     
     
         16 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight.  
     
     
         17 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight.  
     
     
         18 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount from about 50 to about 90% by weight.  
     
     
         19 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount from about 50 to about 90% by weight.  
     
     
         20 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount from about 50 to about 90% by weight.  
     
     
         21 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount from about 50 to about 90% by weight.  
     
     
         22 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount from about 70 to about 80% by weight.  
     
     
         23 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount from about 70 to about 80% by weight.  
     
     
         24 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount from about 70 to about 80% by weight.  
     
     
         25 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount from about 70 to about 80% by weight.  
     
     
         26 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount from about 70 to about 80% by weight.  
     
     
         27 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said surfactant is present in an amount from about 70 to about 80% by weight.  
     
     
         28 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 1 to about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         29 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 1 to about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         30 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 1 to about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         31 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 1 to about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         32 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 1 to about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         33 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 1 to about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         34 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 1 to about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         35 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 1 to about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         36 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 1 to about 50% by weight.  
     
     
         37 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 5 to about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         38 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 5 to about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         39 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 5 to about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         40 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 5 to about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         41 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 5 to about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         42 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 5 to about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         43 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 5 to about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         44 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 5 to about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         45 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 5 to about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         46 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 5 to about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         47 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 5 to about 30% by weight.  
     
     
         48 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 10 to about 20% by weight.  
     
     
         49 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 10 to about 20% by weight.  
     
     
         50 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 10 to about 20% by weight.  
     
     
         51 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 10 to about 20% by weight.  
     
     
         52 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 10 to about 20% by weight.  
     
     
         53 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 10 to about 20% by weight.  
     
     
         54 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 10 to about 20% by weight.  
     
     
         55 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 10 to about 20% by weight.  
     
     
         56 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 10 to about 20% by weight.  
     
     
         57 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises at most 50% by weight of an aromatic solvent.  
     
     
         58 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises at most 40% by weight of an aromatic solvent.  
     
     
         59 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises at most 30% by weight of an aromatic solvent.  
     
     
         60 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 2 , which further comprises at most 20% by weight of an aromatic solvent.  
     
     
         61 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises at most 15% by weight of an aromatic solvent.  
     
     
         62 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises at most 10% by weight of an aromatic solvent.  
     
     
         63 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises at most 5% by weight of an aromatic solvent.  
     
     
         64 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises at most about 10% by weight of an ester of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid and said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is present in an amount from about 10 to about 20% by weight, said surfactant is present in an amount from about 70 to about 80% by weight.  
     
     
         65 . The herbicide composition as claimed in  claim 64 , which further comprises at most 50% by weight of a solvent.  
     
     
         66 . A herbicide composition containing a chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide and a surfactant in the ratio of acid herbicide to surfactant from about 1:6 to about 1:1.  
     
     
         67 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is a synthetic auxin or a quinoline carboxylic acid.  
     
     
         68 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is a benzoic acid, phenoxy-carboxylic acid or pyridine carboxylic acid.  
     
     
         69 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is 
 Chloramben, dicamba, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy butyric acid, clomeprop, dichlorprop, dichlorprop-P, monochlorophenoxy acetic acid, monochlorophenoxy butyric acid, mecoprop, mecoprop-P.clopyralid, fluroxypyr, picloram, triclopyr, quinclorac or quinmerac.    
     
     
         70 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is a synthetic auxin or a quinoline carboxylic acid.  
     
     
         71 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is a benzoic acid, phenoxy-carboxylic acid or pyridine carboxylic acid.  
     
     
         72 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide is 
 Chloramben, dicamba, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy butyric acid, clomeprop, dichlorprop, dichlorprop-P, monochlorophenoxy acetic acid, monochlorophenoxy butyric acid, mecoprop, mecoprop-P.clopyralid, fluroxypyr, picloram, triclopyr, quinclorac or quinmerac.    
     
     
         73 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the herbicide composition does not contain an alkylated fatty acid.  
     
     
         74 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the herbicide composition does not contain an alkylated plant derived oil.  
     
     
         75 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the herbicide composition does not contain an alkylated animal derived oil.  
     
     
         76 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the herbicide composition does not contain an alkylated fatty acid, alkylated plant derived oil and an alkylated animal derived oil.  
     
     
         77 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the herbicide composition does not contain an alkylated fatty acid.  
     
     
         78 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the herbicide composition does not contain an alkylated plant derived oil.  
     
     
         78 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the herbicide composition does not contain an alkylated animal derived oil.  
     
     
         79 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the herbicide composition does not contain an alkylated fatty acid, alkylated plant derived oil and an alkylated animal derived oil.  
     
     
         81 . A process to produce a herbicidical composition which comprises blending a fully solubolized acid herbicide with a surfactant to form a solution provided that said chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide and surfactant are present in an amount of about 1 part by weight of chlorinated carboxylic acid herbicide to at least about 1.5 part by weight of surfactant.  
     
     
         82 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises at least one of the following additional components selected from the group consisting of 
 Methylated fatty acids,    Ethylated fatty acids,    Butylated fatty acids,    Alkylated soybean oil,    Alkylated canola oil,    Alkylated coconut oil,    Alkylated sunflower oil,    Mineral oils,    Vegetable oils,    Fatty acids,    Polybutenes and    Epoxified seed oils.    
     
     
         83 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 1 , which further comprises at least one of the following additional components selected froth the group consisting of 
 Methylated C6-C19 fatty acids,    Methylated Tall oil fatty acids,    Methylated Oleic acid,    Methylated Linoleic acid,    Methylated Linolenic acid,    Methylated Stearic acid,    Methylated Palmitic acid,    Ethylated C6-C19 fatty acids,    Ethylated Tall oil fatty acids,    Ethylated Oleic acid,    Ethylated Linoleic acid,    Ethylated Linolenic acid,    Ethylated Stearic acid,    Ethylated Palmitic acid,    Butylated C6-C19 fatty acids,    Butylated Tall oil fatty acids,    Butylated Oleic acid,    Butylated Linoleic acid    Butylated Linolenic acid,    Butylated Stearic acid,    Butylated Palmitic acid,    Methylated soybean oil,    Ethylated soybean oil,    Butylated soybean oil,    Methylated canola oil,    Ethylated canola oil,    Butylated canola oil,    Methylated coconut oil,    Ethylated coconut oil,    Butylated coconut oil,    Methylated sunflower oil,    Ethylated sunflower oil,    Butylated sunflower oil,    Paraffinic mineral oils,    Naphthenic mineral oils,    Aromatic mineral oils,    Soybean oil,    Canola oil,    Cottonseed oil,    C6-C19 fatty acids,    Tall oil fatty acids,    Oleic acid,    Linoleic acid,    Linolenic acid,    Stearic acid,    Palmitic acid and    Epoxified soybean oil.    
     
     
         84 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 2 , which further comprises at least one of the following additional components selected from the group consisting of 
 Methylated fatty acids,    Ethylated fatty acids,    Butylated fatty acids,    Alkylated soybean oil,    Alkylated canola oil,    Alkylated coconut oil,    Alkylated sunflower oil,    Mineral oils,    Vegetable oils,    Fatty acids,    Polybutenes and    Epoxified seed oils.    
     
     
         84 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 2 , which further comprises at least one of the following additional components selected from the group consisting of 
 Methylated C6-C19 fatty acids,    Methylated Tall oil fatty acids,    Methylated Oleic acid,    Methylated Linoleic acid,    Methylated Linolenic acid,    Methylated Stearic acid,    Methylated Palmitic acid,    Ethylated C6-C19 fatty acids,    Ethylated Tall oil fatty acids,    Ethylated Oleic acid,    Ethylated Linoleic acid,    Ethylated Linolenic acid,    Ethylated Stearic acid,    Ethylated Palmitic acid,    Butylated C6-C19 fatty acids,    Butylated Tall oil fatty acids,    Butylated Oleic acid,    Butylated Linoleic acid    Butylated Linolenic acid,    Butylated Stearic acid,    Butylated Palmitic acid,    Methylated soybean oil,    Ethylated soybean oil,    Butylated soybean oil,    Methylated canola oil,    Ethylated canola oil,    Butylated canola oil,    Methylated coconut oil,    Ethylated coconut oil,    Butylated coconut oil,    Methylated sunflower oil,    Ethylated sunflower oil,    Butylated sunflower oil,    Paraffinic mineral oils,    Naphthenic mineral oils,    Aromatic mineral oils,    Soybean oil,    Canola oil,    Cottonseed oil,    C6-C19 fatty acids,    Tall oil fatty acids,    Oleic acid,    Linoleic acid,    Linolenic acid,    Stearic acid,    Palmitic acid and    Epoxified soybean oil.    
     
     
         85 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one surfactant is selected from the group consisting of 
 Alcohol alkoxylate,    Alcohol alkoxylate sulfate,    Alkylphenol alkoxylate,    Alkanolamide,    Alkylaryl sulfonate,    Amine oxide,    Amine,    Betaine derivative,    Block polymers of ethylene and propylene glycol,    Carboxylated alcohol or alkylphenol alkoxylate,    Diol,    Diphenyl sulfonate derivative,    Ether,    Ethoxylated amine,    Ethoxylated fatty acid,    Ethoxylated fatty ester and oils,    Ethylene carbonate,    Fatty ester,    Glycerol ester,    Glycol,    Phosphate ester surfactant,    Propylene Carbonate,    Sarcosine derivative,    Silicone-based surfactant,    Sorbitan derivative,    Sucrose derivative,    glucose derivative,    Sulfate of alkoxylated alkylphenol,    sulfonate of alkoxylated alkylphenol,    Sulfate of alcohol and    Tristyrylphenol Alkoxylate.    
     
     
         86 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one surfactant is selected from the group consisting of 
 A) Alcohol alkoxylates based on branched and linear alcohols containing ethylene oxide or propylene oxide    B) Alcohol alkoxylate sulfates,    C) Nonylphenol alkoxylate containing ethylene oxide,    D) Nonylphenol alkoxylate containing propylene oxide,    E) Octylphenols alkoxylate containing ethylene oxide    F) Octylphenols alkoxylate containing propylene oxide,    G) Fatty amine alkoxylates,    H) Butanediols,    I) Butyl celluslose ether,    J) Butyl carbitol,    K) Propylene glycol,    L) Ethylene glycol,    M) Dipropylene glycol,    N) Diethylene glycol,    O) Phosphate esters of alcohol alkoxylates,    P) Phosphate esters of alkylphenol alkoxylates,    Q) Sorbitan esters,    R) Alkoxylated sorbitan esters and    S) Alkylpolyglucosides,    
     
     
         87 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one surfactant is selected from the group consisting of 
 Alcohol alkoxylate,    Alcohol alkoxylate sulfate,    Alkylphenol alkoxylate,    Alkanolamide,    Alkylaryl sulfonate,    Amine oxide,    Amine,    Betaine derivative,    Block polymers of ethylene and propylene glycol,    Carboxylated alcohol or alkylphenol alkoxylate,    Diol,    Diphenyl sulfonate derivative,    Ether,    Ethoxylated amine,    Ethoxylated fatty acid,    Ethoxylated fatty ester and oils,    Ethylene carbonate,    Fatty ester,    Glycerol ester,    Glycol,    Phosphate ester surfactant,    Propylene Carbonate,    Sarcosine derivative,    Silicone-based surfactant,    Sorbitan derivative,    Sucrose derivative,    glucose derivative,    Sulfate of alkoxylated alkylphenol,    sulfonate of alkoxylated alkylphenol,    Sulfate of alcohol and    Tristyrylphenol Alkoxylate,    
     
     
         88 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one surfactant is selected from the group consisting of 
 A) Alcohol alkoxylates based on branched and linear alcohols containing ethylene oxide or propylene oxide    B) Alcohol alkoxylate sulfates,    C) Nonylphenol alkoxylate containing ethylene oxide,    D) Nonylphenol alkoxylate containing propylene oxide,    E) Octylphenols alkoxylate containing ethylene oxide    F) Octylphenols alkoxylate containing propylene oxide,    G) Fatty amine alkoxylates,    H) Butanediols,    I) Butyl celluslose ether,    J) Butyl carbitol,    K) Propylene glycol,    L) Ethylene glycol,    M) Dipropylene glycol,    N) Diethylene glycol,    O) Phosphate esters of alcohol alkoxylates,    P) Phosphate esters of alkylphenol alkoxylates,    Q) Sorbitan esters,    R) Alkoxylated sorbitan esters and    S) Alkylpolyglucosides.    
     
     
         89 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 68 , wherein the at least one surfactant is selected from the group consisting of 
 Alcohol alkoxylate,    Alcohol alkoxylate sulfate,    Alkylphenol alkoxylate,    Alkanolamide,    Alkylaryl sulfonate,    Amine oxide,    Amine,    Betaine derivative,    Block polymers of ethylene and propylene glycol,    Carboxylated alcohol or alkylphenol alkoxylate,    Diol,    Diphenyl sulfonate derivative,    Ether,    Ethoxylated amine,    Ethoxylated fatty acid,    Ethoxylated fatty ester and oils,    Ethylene carbonate,    Fatty ester,    Glycerol ester,    Glycol,    Phosphate ester surfactant,    Propylene Carbonate,    Sarcosine derivative,    Silicone-based surfactant,    Sorbitan derivative,    Sucrose derivative,    glucose derivative,    Sulfate of alkoxylated alkylphenol,    sulfonate of alkoxylated alkylphenol,    Sulfate of alcohol and    Tristyrylphenol Alkoxylate,    
     
     
         90 . The herbicide as claimed in  claim 71 , wherein the at least one surfactant is selected from the group consisting of 
 A) Alcohol alkoxylates based on branched and linear alcohols containing ethylene oxide or propylene oxide    B) Alcohol alkoxylate sulfates,    C) Nonylphenol alkoxylate containing ethylene oxide,    D) Nonylphenol alkoxylate containing propylene oxide,    E) Octylphenols alkoxylate containing ethylene oxide    F) Octylphenols alkoxylate containing propylene oxide,    G) Fatty amine alkoxylates,    H) Butanediols,    I) Butyl celluslose ether,    J) Butyl carbitol,    K) Propylene glycol,    L) Ethylene glycol,    M) Dipropylene glycol,    N) Diethylene glycol,    O) Phosphate esters of alcohol alkoxylates,    P) Phosphate esters of alkylphenol alkoxylates,    Q) Sorbitan esters,    R) Alkoxylated sorbitan esters and    S) Alkylpolyglucosides.