EA042359B1 - AGROCHEMICAL COMPOSITION - Google Patents

Description

1. Technical field to which the invention belongs

The present invention relates to agrochemical compositions. More specifically, the present invention relates to an aqueous agrochemical composition comprising an electrolyte agrochemical dissolved in an aqueous phase and an agrochemical suspended in an aqueous phase.

2. State of the art

Agrochemicals can be formulated into concentrates in a variety of forms, including solid compositions such as wettable powders and granules, as well as liquid compositions such as emulsifiable concentrates. Liquid formulations offer advantages over solid formulations because they are easier to measure and pour, and when diluted with water, they typically leave less residue in any equipment that is used to prepare and apply the agrochemical.

In the case of agrochemicals that are insoluble or not completely soluble in water, typically liquid compositions are prepared by dissolving the agrochemical in an organic water-miscible solvent such as an aromatic hydrocarbon or a more polar ester solvent. However, the use of organic solvents for the preparation of liquid compositions is often undesirable from an environmental and human safety point of view. Therefore, whenever possible, it is preferable to minimize the amount of organic solvent in liquid agrochemical compositions. In addition, many agrochemicals are electrolytes which, if soluble in water, have insufficient solubility in organic solvents to be prepared in a solution in an organic solvent.

Aqueous liquid compositions of agrochemicals can be prepared. In the case of water-soluble agrochemicals, the agrochemical may be dissolved in the aqueous phase. If the agrochemical is insoluble in water, it can be suspended as solid particles or as liquid droplets (for example, an oil-in-water emulsion). Some type of anti-settling system, typically a water-swellable clay (eg, attapulgite) or a water-soluble polymer (eg, xanthan gum), must be included to suspend the particles or droplets. The present inventors have found that structurant surfactants (ie, surfactant phases that impart anti-settling properties to the aqueous phase) can be used to suspend particles and droplets. An advantage of using a structuring surfactant to suspend the agrochemical is that the surfactants can also act as adjuvants. Co-surfactants are often used with agrochemicals by incorporating the agrochemical into the formulation or as a tank mix component with the agrochemical prior to application, which improves the bioavailability of the agrochemical upon application. Excipients that are built into the drug can also reduce the cost of storage and transportation. If more than one agrochemical is desired to be included in the liquid composition, one or more agrochemicals may be dissolved in the aqueous phase and one or more agrochemicals may be suspended in the aqueous phase.

In the case of aqueous liquid compositions, a difficulty arises when it is desired to include a suspended agrochemical and simultaneously include an electrolyte agrochemical. The present inventors have found that electrolyte agrochemicals tend to render conventional suspending clays and polymers significantly less effective as anti-settling agents when the decrease in suspending capacity increases with increasing dissolved electrolyte concentration. The present inventors have found that certain combinations of surfactants can form a suspending structure at low electrolyte concentrations (eg 10 wt% electrolyte) but then fail when high concentrations of electrolyte agrochemical are used. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to overcome this difficulty and provide aqueous agrochemical compositions in which relatively high concentrations of an agrochemical electrolyte can be used and at the same time provide suspension of other agrochemicals. It would be beneficial to combine dissolved electrolyte agrochemicals with suspended solid or liquid agrochemicals at high concentrations in the presence of surfactants by selecting surfactants that provide good suspension and fluidity of the liquid formulation over the temperature range required for storage (typically -10 up to 40°C). Combinations of agrochemicals can impart additive characteristics to each individual agrochemical and high concentration results in reduced packaging and transport costs. The inclusion of a surfactant to suspend the particles of the solid or liquid agrochemical eliminates the need for other anti-settling agents that have little or no beneficial effect on the bioavailability of the application of the product.

3. The essence of the invention

The present inventors have found a surfactant system that can suspend agrochemicals in water and impart high fluidity over the temperature range required for storage (-10 to 40°C), even in the presence of 20 wt.% or more dissolved agrochemical-electrolyte in in terms of the total mass of water in the composition.

- 1 042359

In one aspect, the present invention relates to an agrochemical composition containing (i) water in an amount equal to 30 wt.% or more, based on the total weight of the liquid agrochemical composition:

(ii) one or more electrolyte agrochemicals dissolved in water, wherein the total amount of electrolyte agrochemicals dissolved in the water is 20% by weight or more based on the total weight of water in the liquid agrochemical composition;

(iii) a surfactant system comprising:

(a) an alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, an alkyl glucocamide ester surfactant and/or an ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate surfactant; and (b) an auxiliary surfactant containing an anionic head group and a tail group, where the tail group contains at least two alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups; and (iv) one or more agrochemicals suspended in water.

Another aspect of the present invention is the use of the surfactant system of the present invention for suspending in a water-containing agrochemical-electrolyte composition, wherein the total amount of agrochemical-electrolytes dissolved in water is 20 wt.% or more, based on the total weight water in a liquid agrochemical composition, and wherein the surfactant system comprises (a) an alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, an alkyl glucoside ester surfactant, and/or an ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate surfactant; and (b) an auxiliary surfactant containing an anionic head group and a tail group, where the tail group contains at least two alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups.

4. Description of the invention

4.1. General remarks.

When used in the present invention, the terms contains, containing, includes, including, has, having, or any other variation thereof means non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a composition that includes a list of components is not necessarily limited to only those components, but may include other components that are not explicitly listed or not inherent in such a composition. Thus, the terms contains, containing, includes, including, has, having, or any other variation thereof also includes the disclosed embodiment that does not contain additional components (i.e., consists of these components).

In addition, elements or components in the singular are not limited to the number of elements or components. Therefore, an element in the singular includes elements in the plural, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

In addition, if an element of the present invention is described as being preferred, it should be understood that, in accordance with the appended claims, this preferred element of the present invention can be combined with other preferred described elements of the present invention.

4.2. liquid composition.

The agrochemical composition of the present invention is liquid. The term liquid as used in the present invention means that the composition or ingredient in question is in the form of a liquid at standard temperature and pressure. Liquid agrochemical compositions are well known in the art. For example, see Catalog of pesticide formulation types and international coding system, Technical Monograph No. 2, 7th Ed. Revised March 2017, CropLife International. Any of the liquid compositions that are disclosed in the present invention, in which at least one agrochemical is dissolved in the aqueous phase and at least one agrochemical is suspended in the aqueous phase, can be used in the present invention. For example, the liquid composition may be in the form of a capsule suspension (CS) and an oil-in-water emulsion (EW), a suspension concentrate (SC), a suspension concentrate for direct application (SD), a suspoemulsion (SE), a mixed preparation of CS and SE (ZE), or a mixed preparation of CS and EW (ZW).

The liquid composition of the present invention is aqueous. Aqueous means that water is present as the continuous phase of the composition. Other water-miscible liquid solvents may be included provided that their combined weight is less than the total weight of water in the composition. Preferably, the mixture of water and such water-miscible liquid solvents contains 60 wt.% or more water, more preferably 70 wt.% or more water, even more preferably 80 wt.% or more water, and even more preferably 90 wt.% or more than water in terms of the total mass of water and water-miscible liquid solvents. In another embodiment, the composition in the continuous phase contains 20 wt.% or less water-miscible solvents other than water, more preferably 10 wt.% or less, and even more preferably 5 wt.% or less, based on the total weight of water and water-miscible liquid solvents. In a preferred embodiment, water is the only solvent used in the continuous phase of the composition.

- 2 042359

The total amount of water contained in the composition is 30 wt.% or more, based on the total weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, preferably 35 wt.% or more, and most preferably 40 wt.% or more. Water is preferably contained in the composition in an amount equal to 75 wt.% or less, based on the total weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, more preferably 70 wt.% or less, even more preferably 65 wt.% or less, more preferably 60 wt.% or less, and most preferably 50 wt.% or less. Any of the lowest wt% values can be combined with any of the highest wt% values to give the preferred ranges for the amount of water in the composition. Preferred ranges include 30 to 75 wt%, 35 to 70 wt%, 35 to 65 wt%, 40 to 60 wt% and 40 to 50 wt%.

(ii) Agrochemical electrolyte dissolved in water.

The term electrolyte agrochemical means an agrochemical that forms ions when it dissolves in water at 20°C. The term agrochemical as used in the present invention (including the suspended agrochemical described below) means any chemical that can kill, repel, or inhibit the growth or reproduction of unwanted organisms (pests), or any chemical that can protect or promote the healthy growth or reproduction of desirable organisms. such as crops, ornamental plants, livestock and pets, and which is applicable in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry, water treatment and land management, such as applied to fields, crops, orchards, livestock , gardens, afforestation, green fencing, parks, industrial sites, construction sites, airports, roads, railways, rivers, lakes, ponds, canals, irrigated areas and drainage areas.

The electrolyte agrochemical may be a pesticide such as a herbicide, fungicide or insecticide. The electrolyte agrochemical may be a plant growth regulator or a fertilizer such as a water-soluble inorganic fertilizer or a water-soluble organic fertilizer. For purposes of the present invention, the electrolyte agrochemical is preferably a herbicide.

In the present invention, one or more electrolyte agrochemicals are dissolved in the water contained in the liquid agrochemical composition. The total amount of electrolyte agrochemicals dissolved in water is 20% by weight or more, based on the total weight of water in the liquid agrochemical composition. One advantage of the present invention is that the liquid composition can contain a greater amount of agrochemical-electrolyte while forming a stable surfactant structuring system for suspending other agrochemicals. In order to save (eg, reduce packaging; reduce storage and transportation costs), the total amount of agrochemical-electrolyte can be made as close to saturated as possible, since this provides the highest concentration of material in the preparation. If the composition is to be stored and/or used at lower temperatures, appropriate lower concentrations should be used to avoid unwanted precipitation. The total amount of electrolyte agrochemical dissolved in water is preferably 30 wt.% or more (based on the total weight of water in the liquid agrochemical composition), and it may be contained in an amount of 40 wt.% or more, 50 wt.% or more or 60 wt.% or more. The upper limit value of the total amount of agrochemical-electrolyte dissolved in water is limited only by the amount of agrochemical that can be dissolved in the water contained in the considered system. The total amount of electrolyte agrochemical dissolved in water is preferably 100 wt.% or less (based on the total mass of water in the liquid agrochemical composition), and it may be contained in an amount of 90 wt.% or less, 80 wt.% or less , or 70 wt.% or less. Any of these lower wt % values can be combined with any of the higher wt % values to provide preferred ranges for the total amount of agrochemical electrolyte based on total weight of water in the liquid agrochemical composition. Typical ranges include 30 to 100 wt%, 40 to 90 wt%, 40 to 80 wt%, 30 to 60 wt%, and 40 to 60 wt%. The wt % values given above refer to the electrolyte agrochemical itself and not to any other element that may be associated with it (eg base). For example, if glyphosate is added as potassium glyphosate, the wt % amounts given above refer to glyphosate and not to the potassium salt of glyphosate.

Water-soluble herbicides that form electrolyte solutions in water include those given in the Pesticide Manual (British Crop Protection Council; 16th edition). Examples of such herbicides include: acifluorfen-sodium, aminopyralid-triisopropanolammonium, amitrol, ammonium sulfamate, asulam-sodium, bentazone-sodium, bilanifos-sodium, bispyribac-sodium, sodium metaborate, bromocillithium, bromoxynyl-potassium, sodium, agrochemically acceptable salts of clopyralide, 2,4-O-dimethylammonium chloroacetate, 2,4-D-triethanolammonium, 2,4-D-triisopropylammonium, 2,4-DB-dimethylammonium, 2,4DB-sodium, 2,4-DB-potassium, dicamba diglycolamine salt , dicamba-dimethylammonium, dicambadiethanolammonium, dicamba-isopropylammonium, dicamba-potassium, dicamba-sodium, dicambatriethanolammonium, diphenzoquat methyl sulfate, diflubenzopyr-sodium, endothal-mono-(K,K

- 3 042359 dimethylalkylammonium), flupropanate-sodium, fomesafen-sodium, fosamineammonium, glufosinate ammonium, glyphosate-isopropylammonium, glyphosate-potassium, glyphosate-sesquinatrium, glyphosate diammonium, glyphosate dimethylammonium, glyphosate-ammonium, imazamox, imazamox-ammonium, imazamox, imazamox-ammonium, imazamox, imazamox-ammonium, imazapyr-isopropylammonium, imazakhinammonium, imazethapyr-ammonium, ioxynyl sodium, MSPA-sodium, MSPA-potassium, MSPA-dimethylammonium, MSRV-sodium, MSRV-potassium, mecoprop-sodium, mecoprop-potassium, mecoprop-P dimethylammonium, mecopropo-P-potassium , metam-sodium, metam-potassium, picloram-potassium, picloram-dimethylammonium, picloram-triethylammonium, picloram-triisopropylammonium, picloramtriethanolammonium, propoxycarbazone-sodium, pyrithiobac-sodium, sodium chlorate, triclopyrtriethylammonium, dichlorprop-potassium, dichloroprop-P-dimethylammonium, dichloroprop-P-potassium, dichloropropP-sodium and urea sulfate. Preferred water-soluble electrolyte herbicides are selected from the following list: 2,4-D-dimethylammonium; 2,4-O-triethanolammonium; 2,4-O-triisopropylammonium; 2,4-DB-dimethylammonium; 2,4-DB-sodium and -potassium; dicamba diglycolamine salt; dicambadimethylammonium; dicamba-diethanolammonium; dicamba-isopropylammonium; dicamba-potassium; dicambanatrium; dicamba-triethanolammonium; ammonium glufosinate; glyphosate isopropylammonium; glyphosate potassium; glyphosate-sesquinatrium; diammonium glyphosate; dimethylammonium glyphosate; glyphosate ammonium; MCPA-sodium; MCPA-potassium; MCPA-dimethylammonium; MSRV-sodium; MSRV-potassium; dichloroprop-potassium; dichloroprop-P-dimethylammonium; dichloroprop-P-potassium; and dichloroprop-P-sodium.

The most preferred water-soluble electrolyte herbicides are glyphosate ((RS)-2-amino-4-(hydroxy(methyl)phosphonoyl)-butanoic acid), 2,4-D ((2 ,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid) and dicamba (3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid) and their agrochemically acceptable salts. Well-known and widely used broad-spectrum herbicides of the glyphosate type are N-phosphonomethyl-N-carboxyalkyls, in particular N-phosphonomethylglycines, usually in the form of a water-soluble agrochemically acceptable salt, common alkali metal salts, e.g. sodium or potassium or trimethylsulfonium, isopropylamine , ammonium, diammonium, dimethylamine or triethanolamine. Glufosinate type herbicides are phosphinylamino acids such as glufosinate [2-amino-4(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)butanoic acid], particularly suitable as the ammonium salt. In the case of herbicides such as glyphosate and glufosinate, the main active ingredient is present in aqueous solution in the form of an anion (or generally a negatively charged zwitterion). 2,4-D can be used as a salt with dimethylamine or choline and dicamba can be used as a salt with diglycolamine, dimethylammonium, isopropylamine, potassium or sodium. If the electrolyte agrochemical is glyphosate or a salt thereof, it is preferably contained in the composition in an amount equal to 20 to 40% by weight of glyphosate, based on the total weight of the composition.

Water-soluble fungicides and/or insecticides that form electrolyte solutions in water include those given in the Pesticide Manual (British Crop Protection Council; 16th edition). Examples thereof include: sodium or potassium bicarbonate, GY-81, metham-sodium, metham-potassium, and phosphoric acid.

Water-soluble plant growth regulators that form electrolyte solutions in water include those given in the Pesticide Manual (British Crop Protection Council; 16th edition). Examples of such plant growth regulators include the following: S-abscisic acid, aviglycin hydrochloride, chlormequat chloride, cloxifonac-sodium, dichlorprop-potassium, dichlorprop-P-dimethylammonium, dichloroprop-P-potassium, dichlorprop-P-sodium, gibberellic acid, GA3, 4 or 7, potassium salt of maleic hydrazide, mepiquat chloride and sodium nitrophenolate. Preferred plant growth regulators include sodium dikegulac, 1-naphthylacetic acid ammonium salt, 1-naphthylacetic acid sodium salt, and 1-naphthylacetic acid potassium salt.

Water-soluble fertilizers that form solutions of electrolytes in water include conventional soluble inorganic fertilizers that supply nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or sulfur. Examples of such fertilizers include:

containing nitrogen as a nutrient: nitrates and or ammonium salts such as ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate (in solid form: [Ca(NO ₃ ) ₂ ] ₅ .NH ₄ (NO ₃ ) ₂ .10H ₂ O), ammonium sulfate-nitrate, ammonium phosphates, especially ammonium monophosphate (NH ₄ H ₂ PO ₄ ), ammonium diphosphate ([NH ₄ ] ₂ HPO ₄ ) and ammonium polyphosphate, ammonium sulfate and the less commonly used calcium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate and ammonium chloride;

containing potassium as a nutrient: potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, such as mixed sulfate with magnesium (K ₂ SO ₄ .MgSO ₄ ), potassium phosphates, especially potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) and potassium polyphosphate (usually described by the formula (KPO ₂ ) _x ) and less commonly potassium nitrate;

containing phosphorus as a nutrient: acidic forms of phosphorus such as phosphoric, pyrophosphoric or polyphosphoric acids can be used, but they are not particularly preferred due to acidity and corrosibility, and salt forms that are generally preferred, such as ammonium phosphates, in particular monophosphate ammonium, ammonium diphosphate and ammonium polyphosphate, potassium phosphates, especially potassium dihydrogen phosphate and potassium polyphosphate;

- 4 042359 containing sulfur as a nutrient: ammonium sulfate and potassium sulfate, for example mixed sulfate with magnesium.

Other water-soluble nutrient-containing compounds (commonly referred to as micronutrients) can also be included in the compositions to provide small or micro amounts of nutrients in the formulation. Similarly, water-soluble buffering and chelating agents such as citrates, gluconates, ammonium and alkali metal lactates, and polyacrylates can be included as part or all of the electrolyte component of the formulation.

In the present invention, combinations of water-soluble electrolyte agrochemicals with other water-soluble electrolyte agrochemicals can be used, and it is preferable to combine herbicide with herbicide, fungicide with fungicide, plant growth regulator with plant growth regulator, and the like). Suitable combinations of herbicides include: acifluorfen sodium with bentazon sodium; clopyralide-potassium with MCPA-potassium; 2,4-O-dimethylammonium with MCPA-dimethylammonium; 2,4-Dtriethanolammonium with MCPA-sodium; 2,4-O-triisopropylammonium with MCPA potassium; 2,4-DB-sodium with MCPA-sodium and/or MCPA-potassium; 2,4-DB-potassium with MCPA-sodium and/or MCPA-potassium; dicambacalium with glyphosate-potassium; diflubenzopyr sodium with dicamba sodium; ammonium glufosinate with MCPA salts such as MCPA sodium or MCPA potassium; ammonium glufosinate with dicambaisopropylammonium; dicamba diglycolamine salt with glyphosate-diammonium; dicambattriethanolammonium with glyphosate-isopropylammonium; dicamba-dimethylammonium with dimethylammonium glyphosate; dicamba diethanolammonium with glyphosate diammonium; dicamba sodium with sodium glyphosate; dichloroprop-P-dimethylammonium with MCPA-dimethylammonium; glyphosate isopropylammonium or glyphosate isopropylamine with glufosinate ammonium; imazaquinammonium with chlormequat chloride; ioxynyl sodium with mecoprop sodium and/or MCPA dimethyl ammonium; MCPA-sodium with other MCPA salts (eg MCPA-potassium or MCPA-dimethylammonium), 2,4-DB-potassium and/or 2,4-DB-sodium; MCPA potassium with other MCPA salts (eg MCPA sodium), 2,4-DB-potassium and/or and 2,4-DB-sodium; MCPA dimethylammonium with other MCPA salts (eg MCPA sodium or MCPA potassium); MSRV sodium with MSRV-potassium; 2,4-DB-dimethylammonium and/or ioxynyl sodium; mecoprop-P-dimethylammonium with dichloroprop-P-dimethylammonium and/or MCPA-dimethylammonium.

Suitable combinations of plant growth regulators include: 1-naphthylacetic acid sodium salt with sodium nitrophenolate; or chlormequat chloride with imazaquinammonium. A suitable combination of plant growth regulator and herbicide is 1-naphthylacetic acid sodium salt with 2,4-O-sodium. Other combinations of water-soluble plant growth regulator electrolytes and other water-soluble agrochemical electrolytes include dichloroprop-P-dimethylammonium with MCPA-dimethylammonium and/or mecoprop-P-dimethylammonium; and GA4 gibberellic acid with ammonium glufosinate.

(iii) Surfactant system.

The composition includes a system of surfactants that form vesicles in the aqueous phase, preferably multilayer vesicles (spherulites). These vesicles provide suspension of the agrochemical in the composition by forming a close-packed structure that imparts the rheological characteristics to the liquid necessary to suspend solids or liquid droplets. The surfactant system comprises (a) an alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, an alkyl glucoside ester surfactant, and/or an ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate surfactant. The surfactant system further includes (b) an auxiliary surfactant containing an anionic head group and a tail group, where the tail group contains at least two alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups. The present invention is based on the unexpected finding that a surfactant system based on a combination of (a) an alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, an alkyl glucoside ester surfactant and/or an ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate surfactant and (b) a co-surfactant containing an anionic head group and a tail group containing at least two alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups ensures that vesicles form in the presence of a large amount of an electrolyte agrochemical and that the vesicles can suspend solid particles and liquid droplets when stored over a wide temperature range, typically from -10 up to 40°C.

In prior art surfactant systems, generally, if a large amount of an electrolyte agrochemical is dissolved in an aqueous system, it becomes difficult or even impossible to combine the surfactants so that they can suspend other components such as a second agrochemical. In the presence of a large amount of electrolyte in most combinations of surfactants, the combination of surfactants is completely or partially insoluble and separates from the aqueous solution upon storage, or the combination of surfactants becomes completely soluble, forming a micellar solution that cannot suspend the particles.

- 5 042359

For example, US 2010/0160168 A1 describes a homogeneous liquid agrochemical concentrate. The surfactant system it uses forms a microemulsion (hence homogeneous) which, while not being a structurant surfactant system, cannot suspend, for example, solids in the composition. US 10091994 B2 describes a surfactant, the salt of which is reported to retain the activity of the surfactant while eliminating problems associated with gelation in the formulation. This document does not indicate which surfactant systems can be used to suspend, for example, solids in an aqueous formulation that contains a relatively large amount of agrochemical-electrolyte.

The difficulties discussed above and those of the prior art immediately preceding them are overcome by using the surfactant system of the present invention based on the combination of (a) an alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, an alkyl glucoside ester surfactant and/or a surfactant. an active ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate; and (b) an auxiliary surfactant containing an anionic head group and a tail group, where the tail group contains at least two alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups. The present invention also has the advantage that the surfactants used are environmentally acceptable in contrast to prior art surfactants such as cationic hexadecylammonium chloride.

(a-1) Surfactant alkyl polyglucoside.

Alkyl polyglucosides are a group of substances consisting of a chain of sugar rings linked to each other by glucosidic bonds, in which the last ring of the glucosidic chain forms an acetal with an alcohol. Particularly preferred for the present invention are alkyl polyglucosides of formula (I)

Formula (I): H-(G) _n -OR where G is a radical obtained by removing an H ₂ O molecule from a monosaccharide, usually hexose, described by the formula C ₆ H ₁₂ O ₆ , or pentose, described by the formula C5H10O5;

n is from 1 to 5; And

R is an alkyl radical, straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated, containing 8 to 20 carbon atoms.

Alkyl polyglucosides are typically mixtures of alkyl monoglucosides (eg alkyl-aD- and -βD-glycopyranoside, optionally containing smaller amounts of α-glucofuranoside), alkyl diglucosides (eg α-isomaltosides, α-maltosides, etc.) and alkyl oligoglucosides (eg α-maltotriosides, tetrazides, etc.). Preferred alkyl polyglucosides for the present invention are C ₄ . ₁₈ alkyl polyglucosides (ie, where R in formula (I) above contains 4 to 18 alkyl groups), more preferably C ₆ -C ₁₄ alkyl polyglucosides, and in particular C ₆ -C ₁₂ alkyl polyglucosides. The alkyl polyglucosides may have a degree of polymerization of 1.2 to 1.9 (ie n in Formula 1 is 1.2 to 1.9). More preferred are C ₆ -C ₁₀ -alkylpolyglucosides, in which n is from 1.4 to 1.9. The alkyl polyglucosides preferably have an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) value of 11.0 to 15.0 and may have an HLB value of 12.0 to 14.0.

The total amount of alkyl polyglucoside surfactant is preferably contained in the composition in an amount equal to 1.0 wt.% or more, based on the weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, more preferably 2.0 wt.% or more, even more preferably 3.0 wt.% or more and most preferably 3.5 wt.% or more. The total amount of alkyl polyglucoside surfactant is preferably contained in the composition in an amount equal to 10.0 wt.% or less, based on the weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, and may be contained in an amount equal to 8.0 wt.% or less, 6.0 wt. % or less, or 4.0 mass% or less. Any of the lower wt % values can be combined with any of the higher wt % values to give the preferred ranges for the amount of alkyl polyglucoside surfactant. Typical ranges include 1.0 to 10.0 wt%, 2.0 to 8.0 wt%, 3.0 to 6.0 wt%, and 2.0 to 4.0 wt% . When the electrolyte herbicide is glyphosate or a salt thereof, the total amount of the alkyl polyglucoside surfactant is preferably contained in an amount of 2.0 to 8.0 wt.% based on the weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, more preferably 3.5 to 6.0 wt. .%. Examples of commercially available alkyl polyglucoside surfactants include Agnique PG series (BASF), AL-2559 and AL-2575 (Croda).

(a-2) Surfactant alkylglucamide ester.

Surfactant alkyl glucamide esters are a group of surfactants obtained by combining glucamine with a fatty acid. Particularly preferred for the present invention are the surfactant alkylglucamide esters of formula (II) below:

- 6 042359

In formula II, Ra is a straight or branched C5-C21 alkyl group or a C5-C21 alkenyl group and R _b is a C1-C4 alkyl group. In a preferred embodiment, Ra is a C9-C13 alkyl group. In a preferred embodiment, R _b is a methyl group. In yet another preferred embodiment, Ra is a C9-C13 alkyl group and R _b is a methyl group. In another preferred embodiment, Ra is a C11 alkyl group and R _b is a methyl group. Surfactant alkyl glucamide esters are commercially available (eg Synergen GA from Clariant).

The total amount of the surfactant alkyl glucamide ester in the composition is preferably 1.0 wt.% or more, based on the weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, more preferably 2.0 wt.% or more, even more preferably 3.0 wt.% or more and most preferably 3.5 wt.% or more. The total amount of the surfactant alkyl glucamide ester in the composition is preferably 10.0 wt.% or less, based on the weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, and may be 8.0 wt.% or less, 6.0 wt.% or less, or 4. 0 wt.% or less. Any of the lowest wt % values can be combined with any of the highest wt % values to give the preferred ranges for total alkyl glucamide ester surfactant. Typical ranges include 1.0 to 10.0 wt.%, 2.0 to 8.0 wt.%, 3.0 to 6.0 wt.%, and 2.0 to 4.0 wt. %. When the electrolyte herbicide is glyphosate or a salt thereof, the total amount of the alkylglucamide ester surfactant is preferably contained in an amount of 2.0 to 8.0% by weight based on the weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, more preferably 3.5 to 6.0 wt%.

(a-3) Ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate.

The ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate for use in the present invention is preferably represented by the following structural formulas IIIa and/or IIIb:

OO

II II1

Μ O - P - O (CH2CH ₂ O) _n R MO - P - O (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _n R

I 2 I2

OM O(CH2CH ₂ O) _m R

Formula SH Formula SH

In formula IIIa, M ¹ and M ² are a cation, preferably independently selected from the group consisting of H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ or NH4 ⁺ , n is an integer from 1 to 20, and R is C6-C ₂₂ having a straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group. In one embodiment, M ¹ and M ² are a cation, preferably independently selected from the group consisting of H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , or K ⁺ , n is an integer from 2 to 12, and R is C8-C18 having a linear or branched a chain alkyl or alkenyl group. In one embodiment, M ¹ and M ² are a cation, preferably independently selected from the group consisting of H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , or K ⁺ , n is an integer from 2 to 20, and R is C8-C18 having a linear or branched chain alkenyl group.

In one embodiment, M ¹ and M ² are a cation, preferably independently selected from the group consisting of H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , or K ⁺ , n is an integer from 2 to 20, and R is C ₈ -C ₁₈ having a linear or a branched chain alkyl group.

In formula IIIb, M is selected from the group consisting of H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ or NH4 ⁺ , n and m are independently integers from 1 to 20, and R ¹ and R ² are independently C6-C ₂₂ having a linear or a branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group. In one embodiment, M is a cation, preferably selected from the group consisting of H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , or K ⁺ , n and m are independently integers from 2 to 12, and R ¹ and R ² are independently C8-C18 having a straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group. In one embodiment, M is a cation, preferably selected from the group consisting of H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , or K ⁺ , n and m are independently integers from 2 to 20, and R ¹ and R ² are independently C8-C ₁₈ having a linear or branched chain alkenyl group. In one embodiment, M is a cation, preferably selected from the group consisting of H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , or K ⁺ , n and m are independently integers from 2 to 20, and R ¹ and R ² are independently C ₈ -C ₁₈ having a straight or branched chain alkyl group.

The ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate for use in the present invention may be a monoester of formula IIIa, a diester of formula IIIb, or a mixture of a monoester and a diester. At

- 7 042359 when used as a mixture, the monoester:diester ratio is preferably in the range from 1:20 to 20:1, more preferably in the range from 1:10 to 10:1. The total amount of ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate of formula IIIa and formula IIIb in the composition (when used alone or as a mixture) is preferably 1.0 wt.% or more, based on the weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, more preferably 2.0 wt.% or more, even more preferably 3.0 wt.% or more, and most preferably 3.5 wt.% or more. The total amount of phosphate of the ethoxylated fatty alcohol of formula IIIa and formula IIIb in the composition is preferably 10.0 wt.% or less, based on the weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, and may be 8.0 wt.% or less, 6.0 wt.% or less , or 4.0 wt.% or less. Any of the lowest wt % values can be combined with any of the highest wt % values to give the preferred ranges for the total amount of formula IIIa and formula IIIb ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate in the composition. Typical ranges include 1.0 to 10.0 wt.%, 2.0 to 8.0 wt.%, 3.0 to 6.0 wt.%, and 2.0 to 4.0 wt. %. When the electrolyte herbicide is glyphosate or a salt thereof, the total amount of ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate of formula IIIa and formula IIIb in the composition is preferably 2.0 to 8.0% by weight, based on the weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, more preferably 3.5 up to 6.0 wt.%.

Examples of ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate are poly (preferably 2 to 30) ethoxylated (preferably C ₆ -C ₂₂ ) fatty alcohol phosphates such as ethoxylated (2 EO (EO means ethylene oxide unit)) oleyl alcohol phosphate (for example, Empiphos® O3D, Huntsman), ethoxylated oleyl alcohol phosphates (e.g. Crodafos® CO series, Croda), ethoxylated (2-10 EO) ceto/stearyl alcohol phosphates (e.g. Crodafos® CS series, Croda), ethoxylated (4-6 EO) tridecyl phosphates alcohol (eg Crodafos® T series, Croda), ethoxylated (3-6 EO) fatty alcohol phosphates (eg Rhodafac® series, Solvay).

Of the three classes of co-surfactants (a-1), (a-2) and (a-3) described above, alkyl polyglucoside surfactants are the most preferred because this class of surfactants has been found to provide the most concentration of agrochemical-electrolyte in the composition proposed in the present invention.

If the surfactant system contains two or more (a-1) alkyl polyglucoside surfactants, (a-2) alkyl glucoside ester surfactants, and (a-3) alkyl ethoxy phosphate surfactants, the total amount of these three classes of surfactant active substances in the composition of the present invention, preferably 1.0 wt.% or more, based on the weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, more preferably 2.0 wt.% or more, even more preferably 3.0 wt.% or more and most preferably 3.5 wt.% or more. The total amount of these three classes of surfactants in the composition is preferably 10.0 wt.% or less, based on the mass of the liquid agrochemical composition, and may be 8.0 wt.% or less, 6.0 wt.% or less, or 4.0 mass% or less. Any of the lowest wt% values can be combined with any of the highest wt% values to give the preferred ranges for the total amount of these three classes of surfactants in the composition. Typical ranges include 1.0 to 10.0 wt.%, 2.0 to 8.0 wt.%, 3.0 to 6.0 wt.%, and 2.0 to 4.0 wt. %. If the electrolyte herbicide is glyphosate or a salt thereof, the total amount of these three classes of surfactants in the composition is preferably 2.0 to 8.0% by weight based on the weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, more preferably 3.5 to 6 .0 wt.%.

(b) Co-surfactants containing an anionic head group and at least two alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups.

The co-surfactant contains an anionic head group and a tail group, where the tail group contains at least two alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups. The term co-surfactant means that the surfactant acts together with the above alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, alkyl glucoside ester surfactant and/or ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate surfactant, so as to form vesicles with which to suspend other agrochemicals. The term head group in the present invention means a functional group, for example, a functional group that includes one or more oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or phosphorus atoms. The head group is negatively charged when dissolved in water and can be found anywhere in the molecule. The head group is the hydrophilic part of the molecule. Suitable head groups include, for example, sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate and phosphate. The term tail group has its usual meaning in the art and in the present invention means the hydrophobic part of the molecule. The tail group contains at least two alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups. Preferably, the at least two alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups are selected from the group consisting of a C 1 -C ₂₂ alkyl group, a C ₂ -C ₂₂ alkenyl group, and a C ₂ -C ₂₂ alkynyl group.

- 8 042359

In a preferred embodiment, the co-surfactant may be described by Formula 1 below.

^R1

A—L——R ² \ ³

Formula 1

In Formula 1, A is an anionic head group. The anionic head group is preferably selected from the group consisting of -SO ₃ M (sulfonate), -OSO ₃ M (sulfate), -CO 2 M (carboxylate) and -OPO 3 M (phosphate), where M is a cation, for example, H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH ₃ iPr ⁺ . The co-surfactant may contain two anionic head groups, where M is a divalent cation such as Ca ²⁺ . Preferably, if M is not H ⁺ , so that the auxiliary surfactant proposed in the present invention is a neutralized salt. This is advantageous because the anionic co-surfactant is more soluble in water but less soluble in oil or concentrated electrolyte solutions and therefore has better suspending power.

In formula 1, R ¹ , R ² and R ³ may be the same or different and are all independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a C1-C22 alkyl group, a C2-C22 alkenyl group, or a C2-C22 alkynyl group, provided that the most the greater one of R ¹ , R ² and R ³ means H, and provided that the total number of carbon atoms in R 1 -R ³ is from 6 to 24.

In Formula 1, L is a bridging group which connects R ¹ , R ² and R ³ to the anionic head group with 7 or fewer atoms selected from the group consisting of C, N, O, S and P, preferably 5 or fewer atoms . R1-R ³ may, but are not, linked to the same atom of the bridging group L. In a preferred embodiment, R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are separated from each other by at most 4 atoms. When counting the atoms that separate R1-R ³ from A or R1-R ³ from each other, choose the shortest chain of covalently bonded atoms and only those atoms that are not part of A or R1-R ³ . An example of how to calculate the degree of separation is given below with respect to Formula 3-2a and Formula 4-2a.

The auxiliary surfactant used in the present invention can also be described by the following formula 2-1. In Formula 2-1, A, R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are as described above for Formula 1. thus A is an anionic head group, preferably selected from the group consisting of -SO3M (sulfonate), -OSO3M ( sulfate), -CO2M (carboxylate) and -OPO3M (phosphate), where M is a cation, for example, H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ . R ¹ , R ² and R ³ may be the same or different and are all independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 -C 22 alkyl group, C ₂ -C ₂₂ alkenyl group or C ₂ -C ₂₂ alkynyl group, provided that most the greater one of R ¹ , R ² and R ³ is H, and provided that the total number of carbon atoms in R 1 -R ³ is 6 to 24. In addition, p is selected from the group consisting of 0 or 1; n, a, b and c are the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of 0, 1 or 2; and X ¹ , X ² and X ³ are the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of a direct bond, -O-, -COO-, -CH(OH)- or -CONH-. In this case, the degree of separation of A from R1-R ³ or R1-R ³ from each other is only limited by the choice of variables p, n, a, b, c and X1-X ³ .

However, it is still preferred that A is separated from each of R ¹ , R ² and R ³ by 7 or less atoms, more preferably 5 or less atoms. Also preferably, if R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are separated from each other by no more than 4 atoms.

Formula 2-1

In case one of R ¹ , R ² and R ³ is H, the co-surfactant is preferably represented by the following formula 2-2, where A, X ¹ , X ² , R ¹ , R ² , p, n, a and b are as described above for Formula 2-1. Compounds of this formula are more environmentally friendly and are therefore preferred.

- 9 042359

Formula 2-2

In a preferred embodiment of Formulas 2-1 and 2-2, A is -SO ₃ M where M is a cation, eg H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ . In another preferred embodiment of formulas 2-1 and 2-2, n, a, b and c are all 0. In another preferred embodiment of formulas 2-1 and 2-2, X ¹ , X ² and X ³ are the same or different and independently selected from the group consisting of a direct link, -COO- or -CONH-. In yet another preferred embodiment of formulas 2-1 and 2-2, X ¹ , X ² and X ³ are all direct bonds. In another preferred embodiment of formulas 2-1 and 2-2, A is -SO3M where M is a cation, e.g. H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ , n, a, b and c are all equal 0, and X ¹ , X ² and X ³ are all direct links.

In case p of formula 2-1 or formula 2-2 is 1, the co-surfactant is preferably described by formula 3-1 below or formula 3-2 where A, X ¹ , X ² , X ³ , R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are as described above for Formula 2-1 and Formula 2-2, respectively.

Formula 3-1 Formula 3-2

In case p of formula 2-1 or formula 2-2 is 1, the co-surfactant is more preferably described by formula 4-1 below or formula 4-2, where A, R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are as described above for Formula 2-1 and Formula 2-2, respectively.

Formula + 1 Formula 4-2

When p of formula 2-1 or formula 2-2 is 1, the substitution scheme of the benzene ring is not particularly limited, but the para substitution scheme is more preferred. Steam scheme

and a secondary carbon atom). R ¹ and R ² are separated from each other by one atom (secondary carbon atom).

In the case of formula 3-2a, if X ¹ is -COO- and X ² is a direct bond, then A is separated from R ¹ by seven atoms (four phenyl rings and a secondary carbon atom, and C and O (note: the oxygen atom of the group C= O is not taken into account because it is not part of the chain linking A to R ¹ and R ² )) and from R ² with five atoms (four phenyl rings and a secondary carbon atom). In this example, R ¹ and R ² are separated from each other by three atoms (C and O from X ¹ and a secondary carbon atom).

The co-surfactant used in the present invention can also be described by Formula 5 below. In Formula 5, A, R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are as described above for Formula 1. In addition, a, b and c are the same or different and independent

- 10 042359 simo selected from the group consisting of 0, 1 or 2; and X ¹ , X ² and X ³ are the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of a direct bond, -O-, -COO-, -CH(OH)- or -CONH-. In a preferred embodiment of Formula 5, X ¹ , X ² and X ³ are the same or different and independently selected from the group consisting of a direct bond, -COO- or -CONH-. In this case, the degree of separation of A from R1-R ³ or R1-R ³ from each other is only limited by the choice of variables a, b, c and X1-X ³ . However, it is still preferred that A is separated from each of R ¹ , R ² and R ³ by 7 or less atoms, more preferably 5 or less atoms. In this case, it is also preferred if R ¹ , R ² and R ³ are separated from each other by no more than 5 atoms, preferably no more than 4 atoms.

In case the co-surfactant is represented by formula 5 and one of R ¹ , R ² and R ³ is H, the co-surfactant is preferably represented by formula 5-1 below, more preferably formula 5-2 below, and in each case, A, X ¹ , X ² , R ¹ , R ² , a and b are as described above for formula 5.

When p of formula 2-1 or formula 2-2 is 0, the co-surfactant is described by formula 6-1 below or formula 6-2 where A, X ¹ , X ² , X ³ , R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , n, a, b and c are as described above for Formula 2-1 and Formula 2-2, respectively.

(CH ₂ ) _a -X- R ¹ (CH A-X- R ¹

_A --- ₍ ^CH _{2 ) P} ^-( ^CH ₂ ) _b -X- _R ²

Formula 6-1 Formula 6-2

In a preferred embodiment of formulas 6-1 and 6-2, A is -SO ₃ M, where M is a cation, eg H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ . In another preferred embodiment of formulas 6-1 and 6-2, n, a, b and c are all 0. In another preferred embodiment of formulas 6-1 and 6-2, X ¹ , X ² and X ³ are the same or different and independently selected from the group consisting of a direct link, -COO- or -CONH-. In yet another preferred embodiment of formulas 6-1 and 6-2, X ¹ , X ² and X ³ are all direct bonds. In another preferred embodiment of formulas 6-1 and 6-2, A is -SO ₃ M, where M is a cation, for example, H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ , n, a, b and c are all 0 and X ¹ , X ² and X ³ are all direct links.

In a preferred embodiment, the co-surfactant is described by formula 7 below, where A, X ¹ , X ² , R ¹ , R ² and a are as described above for formula 2-1.

(C ⁿ ₂ ) _a - X - ^r1

A-----(

Formula 7

In a preferred embodiment of Formula 7, A is -SO3M where M is a cation, eg H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ . In another preferred embodiment of Formula 7, X ¹ and X ² are both -COO- (ester group). In another preferred embodiment of Formula 7, X ¹ and X ² are both direct links. In another preferred embodiment of Formula 7, R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are C1- _C12 al

- 11 042359 keel groups. In a particularly preferred embodiment of Formula 7, A is -SO ₃ M and is 0, X ¹ and X ² are both -COO- (ester group) and R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are C6-C10 alkyl groups , preferably both are C8 alkyl groups. In another particularly preferred embodiment of Formula 7, A is -SO3M and is 0, X ¹ and X ² are both direct bonds and R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are C 1 -C 12 alkyl groups, preferably C 2 -C ₁₀ alkyl groups, provided that the sum of the numbers of carbon atoms in R ¹ and R ² is from 8 to 12.

The co-surfactant for use in the present invention can also be described by Formula 8-1 below, preferably Formula 8-2, where in each case A, X ¹ , X ² , R ¹ , R ² , n, a and b are such as described above for formula 2-1.

(CH ₂ ) _a -X - r'% _ _R 1

A (CH ₂ ) _n —N _A —(CH ₂ ) _n —N \ o o \ (CH ₂ ) _b —X — R

Formula 8-1 Formula 8-2

In a preferred embodiment of Formula 8-1 and Formula 8-2, A is -SO ₃ M where M is a cation, eg H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ . In a preferred embodiment of Formula 8-1, R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and represent C 1 -C ₁₄ alkyl groups. In a preferred embodiment of Formula 8-1, one of X ¹ and X ² is -COO- (ester group) and the second is a direct bond. In another preferred embodiment of Formula 8-1, n is 1 and a and b are both 0. In a particularly preferred embodiment of Formula 8-1, A is -SO3M, n is 1 or 2, and a and b are both 0, one of X ¹ and X ² means -COO- (ester group) and the second means a direct connection. In a preferred embodiment of Formula 8-1, A is -SO3M and R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are C1-C14 alkyl groups, preferably R ¹ is a C8-12 alkyl group and R ² is a C1-C4 alkyl group, more preferably R ¹ is a SC alkyl group and R ² is Me. In a preferred embodiment of Formula 8-2, A is -SO3M, n is 1 or 2 and R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are C1-C20 alkyl or alkenyl groups, preferably R ¹ is C8-20 alkenyl and R ² is a C1-C4 alkyl group. In another preferred embodiment of Formula 8-2, A is -SO3M, n is 2 and R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are C1-C20 alkyl or alkenyl groups, preferably R ¹ is C8-20 alkenyl and R ² means C1-C4 alkyl group, more preferably R ¹ means C ₁₅ -C ₁₉ alkenyl group and R ² means Me.

An auxiliary surfactant for use in the present invention can also be described by the following formula 9, where M is a cation, for example, H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , NH4 ⁺ , NH ₃ iPr ⁺ , or Ca ²⁺ , and a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers from 0 to 11, provided that a+b is from 7 to 11. If M is Ca ²⁺ , the surfactant contains two of the anionic counterions given in the formula 9. In a preferred embodiment of formula 9, a+b is 9. Commercially available formula 9 surfactants include Nansa® HS80S (Innospec) and Biosoft® 411-E (Stepan).

so _3M

Formula 9

An auxiliary surfactant for use in the present invention can also be described by formula 10 below, where M is a cation, such as H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH ₃ iPr ⁺ , and a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers from 0 to 11, provided that a+b is from 9 to 16. In a preferred embodiment of Formula 10, a+b is from 11 to 14. A commercially available surfactant Formula 10 material includes Hostapur® SAS93 (Clariant).

- 12 042359

H ₃ C-(CH ₂ ) (CH ₂ ) _b -CH ₃

SO _3M

Formula 1θ

An auxiliary surfactant for use in the present invention can also be described by formula 11 below, where M is a cation, such as H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH ₃ iPr ⁺ and R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are selected from C6-C10 straight chain alkyl groups.

In a preferred embodiment of Formula 11, R ¹ and R ² are both C ₈ straight chain alkyl groups. A commercially available surfactant of Formula 11 includes Aerosol® OT-100 (Cytec Solvay).

^R2

R

About SO-jM

Formula 11

An auxiliary surfactant for use in the present invention can also be described by the formula 12 below, where M is a cation, for example, H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ and R ¹ and R ² are are the same or different and are selected from C1-C16 straight chain alkyl groups, provided that R ¹ and R ² together contain from 6 to 18 carbon atoms. In a preferred embodiment of Formula 12, R ¹ is a C1-C4 straight chain alkyl group and R ² is a C5-C ₁₄ straight chain alkyl group. In a more preferred embodiment of formula 12, R ¹ is Me and R ² is a C5-C14 straight chain alkyl group, preferably R ² is a C9-C ₁₃ straight chain alkyl group and most preferably a C11 straight chain alkyl group. Commercially available formula 12 surfactants include Crodasinic® LS30, Crodasinic® MS30, and Crodasinic® O (Croda).

O

Formula 12

Suitable co-surfactants for use in the present invention also include those disclosed on pages 5-18 in WO 2017/100051 A1, the structures and contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The co-surfactant for use in the present invention can also be described by Formula 13-1 below or Formula 13-2, preferably a mixture of Formulas 13-1 and 13-2, where M is a cation, such as H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ , a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers from 0 to 11, provided that a+b is from 9 to 14. In a preferred embodiment of formula 13 -1 and 13-2 and mixtures thereof, a+b is 11 to 13. In other preferred embodiments, a is 6 to 8 and b is 5 to 7. In other preferred embodiments, a is 7 and b is 6. Surfactants of formulas 13-1 and 13-2 are described on pages 6-8 in WO 2017/100051 A1 and are sold by Shell under the name Enordet™.

BUT

H ₃ C-(CH ^a ^ ^ CCH ^ b-CH3 n ₃ s-(CH 2) b-CH ₃

SO ₃ M SO ₃ M

Formula 13-1 Formula 13-2

An auxiliary surfactant for use in the present invention can also be described by the formula 14 below, where M is a cation, for example, H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ and R ¹ and R ² are are the same or different and are selected from C1-C20 straight chain alkyl groups, provided that together R ¹ and R ² contain from 6 to 20 carbon atoms. In a preferred embodiment of Formula 14, R ¹ is a C1-C4 straight chain alkyl group and R ² is a C5-C ₁₉ straight chain alkyl or alkenyl group. In a more preferred embodiment of Formula 12, R ¹ is Me and R ²

- 13 042359 is a C5-C19 straight chain alkenyl group, preferably R ² is

A C ₁₃ -C ₁₉ straight chain alkenyl group, and most preferably a C ₁₇ straight chain alkenyl group. A commercially available formula 14 surfactant includes Adinol® OT-72 (Croda).

SO _3M

Formula 14

The total amount of the auxiliary surfactant (b) specifically defined in any of the above formulas is preferably 1.0 mass% or more based on the mass of the liquid agrochemical composition, more preferably 2.0 mass% or more , even more preferably 3.0 wt.% or more, and most preferably 3.5 wt.% or more. The total amount of the auxiliary surfactant (b) is preferably 15.0 wt.% or less, based on the mass of the liquid agrochemical composition, and may be contained in an amount of 10.0 wt.% or less, 7.5 wt.% or less than or 5 wt.% or less. Any of the lowest wt% values can be combined with any of the highest wt% values to give the preferred ranges for the amount of co-surfactant (b) in the liquid agrochemical composition. Typical ranges include 1.0 to 15.0 wt.%, 2.0 to 10.0 wt.%, 3.0 to 7.5 wt.%, and 3.0 to 5.0 wt. %. When the electrolyte herbicide is glyphosate or a salt thereof, the total amount of the co-surfactant (b) in the liquid agrochemical composition is preferably 1.0 to 10.0 wt% based on the weight of the liquid composition, more preferably 2.0 up to 7.5 wt.%, even more preferably from 3.0 to 5.0 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition.

The ratio of the total weight of the alkyl polyglucoside surfactant (a) to the total weight of the co-surfactant (b) is preferably 0.3 or more, more preferably 0.7 or more, even more preferably 1.0 or more, from the viewpoint of stability improvement. and most preferably 1.1 or more. The ratio of the total weight of the above surfactant alkyl polyglucoside, surfactant alkylglucamide ester and/or surfactant ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate (a) to the total weight of the co-surfactant (b) in terms of maintaining reduced viscosity (and therefore , better fluidity) is preferably 3.0 or less, even more preferably 1.5 or less, and most preferably 1.2 or less. Any of the lowest ratio values can be combined with any of the highest values to give preferred ranges for the ratio of the total amount of the above alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, alkyl glucoside ester surfactant and/or ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate surfactant (a) to the total weight of auxiliary surfactant (b). Typical ranges include 0.3 to 3.0, 0.7 to 1.5, 0.7 to 1.0, 1.0 to 1.2, and 1.0 to 1.5.

(iv) An agrochemical suspended in a liquid composition.

The liquid agrochemical composition of the present invention contains at least one agrochemical suspended in the composition. The suspended agrochemical is not particularly limited and can be any agrochemical that is desirable to be formulated with an electrolyte agrochemical that dissolves in the liquid composition. The suspended agrochemical may be in solid (eg, solid particles) or liquid form (eg, droplets of the agrochemical or agrochemical dissolved in a water-immiscible liquid).

Examples of suitable agrochemicals that can be suspended in the liquid agrochemical composition of the present invention include solid herbicides such as beflubutamide, benazoline, benzofenap, bifenox, bromobutide, chloridazone, chlorotoluron, chlorthal-dimethyl, cloransulam-methyl, desmedifam, diclosulam, esprocarb (or as capsule suspension), fentrazamide, flumetsulam, flurtamone, ioxynil, isoproturon, isouron, isoxaben, isoxaflutol, lenacil, linuron, mefenacet, metazachlor, methoxuron, metribuzin, oryzalin, oxadiargyl, oxadiazon, phenoxsulam, pentoxazon, prodiamine, prometon, propizamide , pyraflufen-ethyl, pyrazoxyfen, pyributicarb, pyrifthalide, pyriminobac-methyl, pyroxulam, quinclorac, chinmerac, trialkoxydim, symetrin, sulcotrione, sulfentrazone, terbutylazine, terbutrin, and tenylchlor. Preferred solid herbicides include amidosulfuron, atrazine, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl, benzobicyclone, bromoxynil, butafenacil, chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, diflufenican, diuron, ethofumasate, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, florasulam, flucarbazone-sodium, fluforsulfuron, methylsodium, halosulfuron-methyl, haloxyfop-R, imazapik, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron- methyl, propachlor, prosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, quizalofop-R, rimsulfuron, saflufenacil, simazine, sulfometuron-methyl, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, tribenuronmethyl, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron-methyl, tritosulfuron.

Examples of suitable liquid herbicides that can be suspended in a liquid agrochemical composition include carfentrazone-ethyl and cinmethylin. Preferred liquid herbicides include acetochlor and butachlor.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrolyte herbicide is glyphosate and the suspension herbicide is selected from the herbicides mentioned above. In another embodiment of the present invention, the electrolyte herbicide is glufosinate and the suspension herbicide is selected from the herbicides mentioned above. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the electrolyte herbicide is 2,4-D and the suspension herbicide is selected from the herbicides mentioned above. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the electrolyte herbicide is dicamba and the suspension herbicide is selected from the herbicides mentioned above.

Combinations of herbicide-electrolyte for dissolution in a liquid composition (first listed) and herbicide for suspension in a liquid composition (second listed) include the following: dicamba-sodium and prosulfuron; dicamba sodium and diflubenzopyr; ammonium glufosinate and diuron; ammonium glufosinate and simazine; glyphosate-isopropylammonium and florasulam; glyphosate isopropylammonium and diuron; glyphosate-isopropylamine and diuron; glyphosate-potassium and diuron; glyphosate sodium and diuron; glyphosate potassium and pendimethalin; ammonium glufosinate and saflufenacil; 2,4-D-dimethylammonium and florasulam; dicamba-potassium and saflufenacil; glyphosate-isopropylammonium and quizalofop-R; glyphosate-potassium and isoxaflutol; glyphosate isopropylammonium and mesotrione; glyphosate isopropylammonium and metolachlor; ammonium glufosinate and pendimethalin; dicamba-potassium and atrazine; clopyralid and florasulam; glyphosatisopropylammonium and acetochlor; glyphosate-isopropylammonium and metsulfuron-methyl; glyphosate isopropylammonium and nicosulfuron; glyphosate-isopropylammonium and sulfosulfuron; dicamba-potassium and tribenuron-methyl, glyphosate-isopropylammonium and acetochlor. Combinations of an electrolyte herbicide for dissolution in a liquid formulation (first listed) and two herbicides for suspension in a liquid formulation (second and third listed) include the following: ammonium glufosinate with diuron and amytrol; ammonium glufosinate with ethofumasate and phenmedipham; dicamba-potassium with atrazine and mesotrione; and dicamba-potassium with atrazine and S-metolachlor.

Examples of suitable safeners that can be suspended in the liquid agrochemical composition of the present invention include those listed in the Pesticide Manual (British Crop Protection Council; 16th edition). Preferred herbicide safeners for use in the present invention include benoxacor, BCS (1-bromo-4-[(chloromethyl)sulfonyl]benzene), cloquintocet-methyl, cyometrinil, cyprosulfamide, dichlormide, dicyclonone, 2-(dichloromethyl)-2-methyl- 1,3-dioxolane (MG 191), dietholate, fenchlorazole-ethyl, fenclorim, flurazol, fluxofenim, furilazole, isoxadifen-ethyl, jiekaowan, jiekaoxy, mefenpyr, mefenpyrethyl, methoxyphenone ((4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl)(3methylphenyl) methanone), mephenate, naphthoic anhydride, oxabethrinyl, AD67, mefenpyr-diethyl, R29148, TI-35 and MG191.

Examples of suitable plant growth regulators that can be suspended in the liquid agrochemical composition of the present invention include 6-benzylaminopurine, cytokinins, prohexanedione-calcium, paclobutrazol, synthofen, uniconazole and cyclanilide.

Examples of suitable fungicides that can be suspended in the liquid agrochemical composition of the present invention include azoxystrobin, coscalide, captan, carboxin, chlorothalonil, difenaconazole, kpoxiconazole, fenamidone, fludioxynil, fluopicolide, fluoxastrobin, flusilazole, folpet, ipconazole, mancozeb, mandipromide, metconazole, pencycuron, propiconazole, prothioconazole, pyrimethanil, sulfur, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, tibendazole, trifloxystrobin, triticonazole, zoxamide, benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, bitertanol, carpropamide, iprodione, kresoxim-methyl, maneb, metrafenone, picoxystrobin, spiroxamine, thifluzanate- methyl, thiram, tolclofosmethyl and triadimenol. Combinations of an electrolyte fungicide to be dissolved in the liquid composition (first listed) and another fungicide to be suspended in the liquid composition (second and optionally third listed) include the following: imazalyl sulfate with pyrimethanil and pencycuron; propamocarb hydrochloride with fenamidone and fluopicolide; potassium bicarbonate with sulfur; and phosphonic acid with azoxystrobin.

Examples of suitable acaricides or insecticides that can be suspended in the liquid agrochemical composition of the present invention include biphenazate, bifenthrin, bromopropylate, carbofuran, chromafenoside, clofentazine, alpha-cypermethrin, deltamethrin, dicofol, diflubenzuron, etofenprox, ethoxazole, fipronil, imidachlorpride, indoxacarb, metaflumizone, methiocarb, methoxyphenocide, novaluron, pyridalil, pyrimethanil, quinoxifene, spinosad, spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spirotetramat, teflubenzuron, thiocloprid and thiamethoxam.

- 15 042359 (v) Other components.

In addition to the ingredients detailed above, the liquid agrochemical composition of the present invention may contain one or more additional components for its preparation, such as other surfactants (for example, emulsifiers and/or dispersants), polymeric amphoteric dispersants such as Atlox® 4915 to prevent or minimize flocculation of the suspended agrochemical, thickeners and thixotropic agents, wetting agents, drift reducing agents, adhesives, penetration agents, preservatives, antifreeze agents (such as propylene glycol and glycerol), antioxidants , solubilizers, fillers, carriers, coloring agents (such as dyes), defoamers (such as silicone-based agents), fertilizers, evaporation suppressing agents, and agents that change pH and viscosity. Since the combination of the above alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, alkyl glucocamide ester surfactant and/or ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate surfactant (a) and an auxiliary surfactant (b) containing an anionic head group and a tail group, where the tail group contains having at least two alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups capable of suspending the agrochemical in the formulation even in the presence of a large amount of the agrochemical electrolyte, the present invention provides formulaters with more freedom to formulate the composition according to specific requirements. For example, in the present invention, the amount of thickeners and thixotropic agents can be reduced, and thereby allow the inclusion of other adjuvants, such as one specified in Compendium of Herbicide Adjuvants, 12th Edition, Southern Illinois University, 2014, or any earlier edition thereof. Examples of commonly used excipients include, but are not limited to, paraffin oil, horticultural insecticidal oils (e.g. summer oil), methylated rapeseed oil, methylated soybean oil, highly purified vegetable oil, polyol fatty acid esters, polyethoxylated esters, ethoxylated alcohols , alkyl polysaccharides and mixtures, amine ethoxylates, sorbitan fatty acid ester ethoxylates, polyethylene glycol esters, alkyl polyglucosides and their derivatives (eg esters), organosilicone-based surfactants, ethylene vinyl acetate terpolymers and ethoxylated alkyl aryl phosphates.

4.3. Receipt method.

The liquid agrochemical composition of the present invention can be obtained by known methods, for example, as described in more detail below, by first obtaining a milled base of some ingredients and a stock solution of some ingredients and then combining them by mixing. When the final composition contains the above surfactant alkylpolyglucoside, surfactant alkylglucamide ester and/or surfactant ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate (a) and an auxiliary surfactant (b) containing an anionic head group and a tail group, where the tail the group contains at least two alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups, vesicles are formed and thus a suspension solution of two or more agrochemicals is formed.

For the preparation of mixtures, you can use a conventional mixing apparatus, which, if necessary, can be thermostated. For pre-grinding, for example, high-pressure homogenizers or rotor-stator mills, such as Ultraturrax homogenizers, for example from IKA, or toothed colloid mills, for example from Puck or Fryma, can be used. For fine grinding it is possible to use, for example, ball mills which operate intermittently, eg Drais, or ball mills which operate continuously, eg Bachofen or Eiger.

5. Preferred Embodiments

The preferred embodiment of the liquid agrochemical composition proposed in the present invention is comprising from 30 to 60 wt.% water;

one or more agrochemical electrolytes dissolved in water, where the total amount of agrochemical electrolytes dissolved in water is 20 wt.% or more, based on the total amount of water in the liquid agrochemical composition;

from 2 to 6 wt.% surface-active alkylpolyglucoside described by the following formula (I);

from 2 to 6 wt.% auxiliary surfactant, described by any of the formulas 9-14 below:

from 1 to 10 wt.% agrochemical suspended in water;

Formula (I): H-(G) _n -OR where

G is a radical obtained by removing an H ₂ O molecule from a monosaccharide, preferably a hexose having the formula C ₆ H ₁₂ O ₆ or a pentose having the formula C ₅ H ₁₀ O ₅ ;

- 16 042359 n is from 1 to 5; And

R means an alkyl radical, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, containing the number of carbon atoms in the range from 8 to 20;

where in formula 9: M is a cation, preferably H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , NH4 ⁺ , NH ₃ iPr ⁺ , or Ca ²⁺ ; and a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers from 0 to 11, provided that a+b is from 7 to 11;

H ₃ C-(CH ₂ ) (CH ₂ ) _b -CH ₃

SO _3M

Formula Y where in formula 10: M is a cation, preferably H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH ₃ iPr ⁺ , and a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers equal to 0 up to 11, provided that a+b is from 9 to 16;

ABOUT

About _SO3M

Formula 11 where in formula 11: M is a cation, preferably H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ ; And

R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are selected from C ₆ -C ₁₀ straight chain alkyl groups; And

SOZM

Formula 12 where in formula 12: M is a cation, preferably H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ ; And

R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are selected from C1-C16 straight chain alkyl groups, provided that together R ¹ and R ² contain from 6 to 18 carbon atoms;

BUT

H ₃ C-(CH ₂ ) _a x _x g ^ (CH ₂ ) _b -CH ₃ H ₃ C-(CH ₂ ) _ax gx _{x /} (CH ₂ ) _b -CH ₃

_SO3M SO3M

Formula 13-1 Formula 13-2 where in formulas 13-1 and 13-2: M is a cation, preferably H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH ₃ iPr ⁺ ; a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers from 0 to 11, provided that a+b is from 9 to 14;

- 17 042359

where in the formula 14: M means a cation, for example, H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ and R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are selected from among C1-C ₂₀ having a linear chain alkyl groups, provided that together R ¹ and R ² contain from 6 to 20 carbon atoms.

In this preferred embodiment, the water-soluble agrochemical electrolyte is preferably selected from the group consisting of isopropylammonium glyphosate, potassium glyphosate, sesquin sodium glyphosate, diammonium glyphosate, dimethylammonium glyphosate, ammonium glyphosate, and ammonium glufosinate. In another preferred embodiment, the agrochemical suspended in the liquid composition is diuron. In a preferred embodiment, the co-surfactant is described by formula 9 and the water-soluble electrolyte agrochemical is selected from the group consisting of isopropylammonium glyphosate, potassium glyphosate, glyphosate sesquisodium, diammonium glyphosate, dimethylammonium glyphosate, ammonium glyphosate, and ammonium glufosinate. In another preferred embodiment, the water soluble agrochemical electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of isopropylammonium glyphosate, potassium glyphosate, sesquin sodium glyphosate, diammonium glyphosate, dimethylammonium glyphosate, ammonium glyphosate and ammonium glufosinate, the co-surfactant is described by the formula 9 and the agrochemical suspended in the liquid composition is diuron.

6. Examples

Example 1 Study of different surfactants as co-surfactant (b) for alkyl polyglucoside surfactant (a).

Received agrochemical compositions containing a variety of investigated surfactants as an auxiliary surfactant (b) for surfactant alkylpolyglucoside (a), and investigated their stability.

Receiving ground base.

The practically water-insoluble algaecide and diuron ((3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1dimethylurea) herbicide were selected as typical general class agrochemicals that can be suspended in accordance with the present invention.

Water (48.98 wt%), Silcolapse® 426R (0.82 wt%), Agnique® PG-8107G (6.27 wt%) and diuron (43.93 wt%) were added to each other and was mixed with a Silverson high shear mixer at 3000 rpm with a small top opening. Agnique® PG-8107G (BASF AG) is an alkyl polyglucoside representative of one class of surfactants that are required for the present invention. Silcolapse® 426R (Bluestar Silicones) is an antifoam additive and was added to reduce foaming during production and during the experiment. The resulting slurry was milled in an Eiger ball mill for about 40 minutes at 3000 rpm using 1-1.3 mm balls. The final particle size of diuron (D50: 1.9 μm; D90: 4.7 μm) was typical of the agrochemical used in suspension in aqueous formulations. Using microscopy, it was found that the particles were well dispersed in the milled base.

Obtaining a base solution.

Being a water-soluble electrolyte, the herbicide glyphosate was chosen as a representative of the general class of electrolyte agrochemicals that can be dissolved in the aqueous phase in accordance with the present invention.

Water (36.47 wt%), Silcolapse® 426R (0.10 wt%), Agnique® PG-8107G (5.66 wt%), and 83.7% KOH (16.39 wt%) were added to each other and mixed with an overhead mixer equipped with a propeller stirrer. Glyphosate (41.38 wt %) was slowly added to the KOH solution and stirred for at least 1 hour until complete neutralization and dissolution was ensured.

Obtaining agrochemical compositions for research.

Agrochemical compositions were prepared by mixing the ground base described above (21.48 wt.%), water (2.57 wt.%), test surfactant (14.53 wt.% 30% aqueous solution of surfactant) and the stock solution described above (61.42 wt.%). After mixing, agrochemical compositions were obtained containing an agrochemical electrolyte (glyphosate) dissolved in an aqueous phase and containing another agrochemical (diuron) suspended in an aqueous phase. The relative amounts of different components in the composition were as follows:

- 18 042359

Component Quantity (wt%) Glyphosate acid 25.42 KOH 8.42 antifoam agent (Silcolapse® 426R) 0.24 alkyl polyglucoside (Agnique® PG-8107G) 3.37 Test surfactant 4.36 Diuron 9.44 Water 48.75

The compositions were stored for one week at 20°C and then the stability was determined visually. The results for different formulations containing different test surfactants are shown in the table below. The degree of separation was evaluated based on the amount of clear solution that separated from the otherwise opaque composition.

Example No. commercial source Researched surfactant substance Result Surfactants of the present invention 1-1 Nansa®HS80S sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate <1% separation, good fluidity 1-2 Crodasinic® LS30 sodium cocoyl sarcosinate without division good fluidity 1-3 Hostaspur® SAS93 secondary sodium alkylsulfonate <1% separation, good fluidity 1-4 Crodasinic® MS30 myristoyl sarcosinate sodium without division good fluidity 1-5 Biosoft®411-E _iPrNH3 -LABS without division good fluidity 1-6 Crodasinic® 0 oleoilsarcosine without division good fluidity Comparative surfactants substances Compound Example No. commercial source Researched surfactant substance Result

- 19 042359

1-7 Synperonic® A2 C12,C15 EO2 34% division 1-8 Synperonic® 13/6.5 isotridecanol 6.5EO 28% division 1-9 Adsee®AB615 oleyl alkoxylated amine 31% division 1-10 Arquad® 16-29 chloride hexadecyltrimethyl ammo NIA 20% split 1-11 Ammonyx® LO lauramine oxide 16% split* 1-12 Empigen® BB lauryl betaine 13% split* 1-13 Empicol® LZ sodium lauryl sulfate non-fluid 1-14 Steol® CS270 alkylethoxy 2EO sodium sulfate 17% split* 1-15 Polyaldo® 6-2-6 distearoylpolyglycerin (6) non-fluid 1-16 Polyaldo® 10-2-P dipalmitoylpolyglycerin (10) 40% separation* 1-17 Polyaldo® 10-10-0 dekaoleylpolyglycerin (U) 32% separation*

*Possessed increased viscosity and therefore had poor fluidity after storage

For the proposed experiments, good fluidity was defined as <500 mPa-s at 20 s ^-1 ; poor flow was defined as >1000 mPa-s at 20 s ^-1 .

It is clear from the data in the above table that not all surfactants act synergistically with the alkyl polyglucoside to produce a stable but flowable composition in the presence of a significant amount of the agrochemical electrolyte. For example, nonionic surfactants that are commonly used in agrochemical formulations such as alkoxylated fatty alcohols (Synperonic® A2; Synperonic® 13/6.5) and alkoxylated fatty amines (Adsee® AB615) as well as cationic surfactants such as both based on quaternary ammonium (Arquad® 16-29) result in a composition that is characterized by significant separation. It is not essential for a surfactant that it be amphoteric (Ammonyx® LO) or zwitterionic (Empigen® BB). Although they are slightly more stable than non-ionic and cationic surfactants, they still exhibit significant separation and also exhibit poor flowability.

From the above data, it can be seen that surfactants that result in a flowable composition with little or no separation on storage share common features. First, they are all anionic surfactants containing at least two hydrocarbon chains. Anionic surfactants containing only one hydrocarbon chain lead to compositions that are either non-flowing (Empicol® LZ) or have low flow with significant separation (Steol® CS270). It is not enough for a surfactant to simply have two hydrocarbon chains. Surfactants containing two hydrocarbon chains, but which are not anionic, result in compositions that are either non-flowing (Polyaldo® 6-2-6) or have low flow and/or significant separation (Polyaldo® 10-2-P ; Polyaldo® 10-10-O).

Example 2. Increase in the amount of agrochemical-electrolyte.

An agrochemical composition was obtained using a significantly larger amount of an agrochemical-electrolyte and investigated its stability under different conditions. The table below summarizes composition data and study results.

- 20 042359

Component Example No. 2-1 (wt%) Glyphosate acid 33.30 KOH 13.2 antifoam agent (Silcolapse® 426R) 0.20 alkyl polyglucoside (Agnique® PG-8107G) 4.00 sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (Nansa® HS80S) 3.50 Diuron 10.00 Water 35.80 Storage conditions Result 7 weeks at -10°C without separation 7 weeks at 20°C without separation 7 weeks at 40°C <1% separation 4 months at 20°C without division

From the above data, it can be seen that the combination of surfactants proposed in the present invention leads to stable agrochemical compositions under different research conditions. After storage, all samples were stable and had good fluidity. Good fluidity was defined as <500 mPa-s at 20 s ^-1 .

Example 3 Use of a mixture of co-surfactants.

Received agrochemical composition, which used a mixture of auxiliary surfactants proposed in the present invention. The table below shows. summary of composition data and study results.______________________________

Component Example No. 3-1 (wt%) Glyphosate acid 25.42 KOH 8.42 antifoam agent (Silcolapse® 426R) 0.24 alkyl polyglucoside (Agnique® PG8107G) 3.37 sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate (companies Aerosol® OT-100) 0.72 sodium cocoyl sarcosinate (Crodasinic® LS40) 2.57 Diuron 9.44 Water 49.82 Storage conditions Result 4 weeks at 40°C without division 7 weeks at 0°C without division 7 weeks at 20°C without separation

From the above data, it can be seen that the combination of surfactants of the present invention results in stable agrochemical compositions under various test conditions. After storage, all samples were stable and had good fluidity. Good fluidity was defined as <500 mPa-s at 20 s ^-1 .

Example 4 Reducing the amount of co-surfactant (b).

An agrochemical composition was obtained in which the amount of auxiliary surfactant was reduced. The table below summarizes composition data and study results.

Component Example No. 4-1 (wt%) Example No. 4-2 (wt%) Glyphosate acid 25.42 25.42 KOH 8.42 8.42 antifoam agent (Silcolapse® 426R) 0.24 0.24 alkylpolyglucoside (companies Agnique® PG-8107G) 3.37 3.37 sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate (Aerosol® OT-100) 2.00 1.43 Diuron 9.44 9.44 Water 51.11 51.68 Storage conditions Result Result 7 weeks at 0°C <1% separation <1% separation 7 weeks at 20°C <1% separation without separation 7 weeks at 40°C <1% separation without division

From the above data, it can be seen that reducing the amount of co-surfactant still leads to stable agrochemical compositions under different study conditions. After storage, all samples were stable and had good fluidity. Good fluidity was defined as <500 mPa-s at 20 s ^-1 .

Example 5 Use of a mixture of co-surfactants of the present invention and another surfactant.

An agrochemical composition was prepared in which a mixture of an auxiliary surfactant according to the present invention and another surfactant was used. The table below summarizes composition data and study results.

Component Example No. 5-1 (wt%) Glyphosate acid 25.17 KOH 8.36 antifoam agent (Silcolapse® 426R) 0.24 alkyl polyglucoside (Agnique® PG-8107G) 3.34 sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (Nansa® HS80) 4.32 alkylethoxy 2EO sodium sulfate (Steol® CS270) 1.00

- 22 042359

Diuron 9.35 Water 48.22 Storage conditions Result 2 weeks at 20°C without separation 2 weeks at 0°C without separation 4 weeks at 40°C without separation

It can be seen from the above data that although a surfactant such as sodium alkylethoxy 2EO sulfate (Steol® CS270) was not sufficient on its own to produce a stable composition with an alkylpolyglucoside (see Example 1), it can still be added to compositions if it contains an auxiliary surfactant proposed in the present invention.

Reference Example 6 Use of the co-surfactant of the present invention with betaine surfactant.

In this example, it was determined whether the alkyl polyglucoside surfactants could be replaced with another electrolyte compatible with the surfactant and maintaining stability. In this example, the surfactant alkylpolyglucoside of the previous examples was replaced with surfactant betaine (Empigen® BS). Betaines are a class of surfactants that are considered better electrolyte compatible than ethoxylated surfactants, anionic surfactants, and cationic surfactants because they are less likely to precipitate from a high electrolyte composition than other surfactants. active substances.

Receiving ground base.

Water (21.75 wt%), Silcolapse® 426R (0.82 wt%), Empigen® BS (33.50 wt% of a 30% aqueous solution) and diuron (43.93 wt%) were added to each other. friend and mixed with a Silverson high shear mixer at 3000 rpm with a small top opening. The resulting slurry was milled in an Eiger ball mill for about 13 minutes at 3000 rpm using 1-1.3 mm balls. The final particle size of diuron (D50: 2.2 µm; D90: 5.1 µm) was typical of the agrochemical particle suspension used in aqueous formulations and the particles were well dispersed in the milled base (according to microscopy).

Obtaining a base solution.

Water (35.53 wt.%), Silcolapse® 426R (0.10 wt.%), 30% aqueous solution of Empigen® BS (6.60 wt.%), and 83.7% KOH (16.39 wt. %) were added to each other and mixed using an overhead mixer equipped with a propeller stirrer. Glyphosate (41.38 wt %) was slowly added to the KOH solution and stirred for at least 1 hour until complete neutralization and dissolution was ensured.

Obtaining agrochemical compositions for research.

Agrochemical compositions were prepared by mixing the ground base described above (21.48 wt.%), water (2.57 wt.%), Nansa® HS 80S (14.53 wt.% 30% aqueous surfactant solution) and stock solution described above (61.42 wt.%). After mixing, an agrochemical composition of the following composition was obtained.

- 23 042359

Component Reference Example No. 6-1 (wt%) Glyphosate acid 25.42 KOH 8.42 antifoam agent (Silcolapse® 426R) 0.24 surfactant betaine (Empigen® BS) 3.37 sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (Nansa® HS80) 4.36 Diuron 9.44 Water 48.75 Storage conditions Result 1 week at 20°C 40% separation

The composition was stored for one week at 20°C and then the stability was visually determined and a 40% separation was established. Comparison with the corresponding formulation in Example 1 using sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (Nansa® HS80S) (one week stability at 20°C: <1% resolution) shows that the co-surfactant of the present invention , acts synergistically with surfactant alkyl polyglucosides and provides stable formulations even in the presence of electrolyte agrochemicals.

Example 7 Change in the ratio of alkyl polyglucoside and co-surfactant.

- 24 042359

Received agrochemical compositions, which changed the relative amount of surface-active alkylpolyglucoside and auxiliary surfactant. The table below summarizes the composition data of the composition data and the results of the study.

Component Example #71 Example #7- 2 Example #7- 3 Example #74

Glyphosate acid 33.30 33.30 33.30 33.30 KOH 13.2 13.2 13.2 13.2 antifoam agent (Silcolapse® 426R) 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 alkyl polyglucoside (Agnique® PG8107G) 3.25 4.00 4.80 5.50 sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (Nansa® HS80S) 4.25 3.50 2.70 2.00 Diuron 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 Water 35.8 35.8 35.8 35.8 Storage conditions Result 4 months at 20°C <1% separation without separation Without separation <1% separation Viscosity at 20 s ¹ , 20°C 125 mPa-s 178 mPa-s 460 mPa-s 985 mPa-s

In this experiment, the total amount of alkylpolyglucoside surfactant and co-surfactant was held constant (7.50% by weight) but their relative amounts were varied. All samples were at least acceptable or had good fluidity and were stable. Good fluidity was defined as <500 mPa-s at 20 s ^-1 ; acceptable fluidity was defined as 500-1000 mPa-s at 20 s ^-1 .

Example 8 Study of the present invention for suspending an agrochemical in comparison with a typical prior art system which is based on xanthan gum.

- 25 042359

Agrochemical compositions were prepared essentially as in Example 1. The table below summarizes the composition data of the composition data and the results of the study.

The xanthan gum formulation (Kelzan AP-AS) was formulated to have a viscosity as close as possible to that of the composition of the present invention prior to storage.

Component Example No. 8-1 (wt%) Comparative Example No. 8-2 (wt%) Glyphosate acid 33.3 33.3 KOH 13.2 13.2 antifoam agent (Silcolapse® 426R) 0.2 0.2 alkyl polyglucoside (Agnique® PG-8107G) 4.0 7.5 sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (Nansa HS80S) 3.5 — xanthan gum (Kelzan AP-AS) — 0.1 Diuron 10.0 10.0 Water 35.8 35.7 Viscosity after cooking (at 20 C ¹ ) 178 mPa-s 177 mPa-s Storage conditions Result Result 7 weeks at -10°C without division good fluidity no separation, poor flow 7 weeks at 20°C without division good fluidity 17% separation, good fluidity 7 weeks at 40°C <1% separation, good fluidity 11% separation, good fluidity

The composition of the present invention has good stability and fluidity under all storage conditions. Good fluidity was defined as <500 mPa-s at 20 s' ¹ . The xanthan gum formulation had significant separation at 20 and 40°C and poor flow at -10°C.

Example 9. Replacement of agrochemical-electrolyte.

Agrochemical compositions were prepared using ammonium glufosinate instead of glyphosate. The table below summarizes the composition data of the composition data and the results of the study.________________________________________________________________________

Component Example #9-1 (wt%) Example #9-2 (wt%) Glufosinate ammonium 34.23 31.63 antifoam agent (companies 0.24 0.25

-26042359

Silcolapse® 426R) alkyl polyglucoside (Agnique® PG8107G) 3.35 4.50 sodium cocoyl sarcosinate (companies Crodasinic® LS40) 3.76 - isopropylamine LABS (Biosoft 41 ΙΕ) - 5.16 alkylethoxy 2EO sodium sulfate (Steol® CS270) - 2.50 Diuron 9.30 6.07 Water 49.12 49.89 Storage conditions Result 2 weeks at 40°C without division without division 2 weeks at 0°C without separation without division 8 weeks at 20°C without division without division

From the above data, it can be seen that the combination of surfactants according to the present invention results in stable agrochemical compositions under different study conditions for different electrolyte agrochemicals (in this case, glufosinate ammonium). After storage, all samples were stable and had good fluidity. Good fluidity was defined as <500 mPa-s at 20 s' ¹ .

Example 10 Composition using an alkylglucamide ester as co-surfactant (a).

An agrochemical composition was prepared using an alkylglucamide ester as co-surfactant (a) instead of an alkylpolyglucoside. The table below summarizes composition data and study results.

Component Example No. 10 (wt%) Glyphosate acid 21.24 KOH 8.41 antifoam agent (Silcolapse® 426R) 0.11 alkyl polyglucoside (Agnique® PG-8107G) 0.17 glucamide (Synergen GA) 8.50 isopropylamine LABS (Biosoft 411-E) 5.07 Diuron 1.73 Water 54.77 Storage conditions Result 2 weeks at 20°C without division 2 weeks at 0°C without division 2 weeks at 40°C without division

Alkylglucamides are a class of surfactants found to be better electrolyte compatible than non-ionic ethoxylated surfactants, ethoxylated anionic surfactants, non-ethoxylated anionic surfactants, and cationic surfactants because they are less likely to precipitate from a composition with a high electrolyte content than other surfactants.

Used the same milled base as obtained in example 1, ie. containing a trace

-27042359 amount of alkylpolyglucoside. A concentrated glyphosate solution was prepared containing a C ₈ -C ₁₀ sugar alkylamide (ie glucamide in Synergen GA). In the presence of dissolved glyphosate, glucamide and isopropylamine LABS form a structure capable of suspending milled diuron particles.

From the above data, it can be seen that the agrochemical composition is stable under different study conditions. After storage, all samples were stable and had good fluidity. Good fluidity was defined as <500 mPa-s at 20 s ^-1 .

Example 11 Composition using ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate surfactant as auxiliary surfactant (a).

An agrochemical composition was prepared, but using an ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate surfactant as co-surfactant (a) instead of an alkyl polyglucoside. The table below summarizes composition data and study results._______________________________________________________________

Component Example No. 10 (wt%) Glyphosate acid 21.03 KOH 8.26 antifoam agent (Silcolapse® 426R) 0.26 alkyl polyglucoside (Agnique® PG-8107G) 0.88 CIO EO4 phosphate (Multitrope 1214) 4.51 Isopropylamine LABS (Biosoft 411-E) 4.64 Diuron 8.76 Water 51.28 Storage conditions Result 2 weeks at 20°C without separation 2 weeks at 0°C without division 2 weeks at 40°C without division

Ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphates are a class of surfactants that have been found to be better electrolyte compatible than non-ionic ethoxylated surfactants and non-ethoxylated anionic and cationic surfactants because they are less likely to precipitate out of the formulation. with a high electrolyte content than other surfactants.

Used the same milled base as obtained in example 1, ie. containing a trace amount of alkylpolyglucoside. A concentrated glyphosate solution was prepared containing C10 EO4 phosphate (i.e. phosphate in Multitrope 1214). In the presence of dissolved glyphosate, ethoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate and isopropylamine LABS form a structure capable of suspending milled diuron particles.

From the above data, it can be seen that the agrochemical composition is stable under different study conditions. After storage, all samples were stable and had good fluidity. Good fluidity was defined as <500 mPa-s at 20 s ^-1 .

Reference Example 12 Composition using an amine oxide surfactant as co-surfactant (a).

In this example, it was determined whether the co-surfactant (a) of the present invention could be replaced by another surfactant (alkyldimethylamine oxides), which are considered in the art to have electrolyte compatibility equivalent to that of alkylpolyglucosides. An agrochemical composition was prepared, but using alkyldimethylamine oxide as co-surfactant (a) instead of alkylpolyglucoside. The table below summarizes the formulation data and study results._____________________________________________

Component Reference Example No. 12 (wt%) Glyphosate acid 19.85 KOH 7.79

- 28 042359

antifoam agent (companies Silcolapse® 426R) 0.26 alkyl polyglucoside (Agnique® PG8107G) 0.36 C12,C14-alkyldimethylamine oxide (companies Genaminox L.A.) 4.51 isopropylamine LABS (Biosoft 411-E) 6.00 Diuron 8.48 Water 51.28 Storage conditions Result 7 weeks at 20°C 20% split

This example shows that alkyl dimethylamine oxide cannot replace alkyl polyglucoside as the main soluble surfactant in a glyphosate electrolyte solution.

Claims (10)

CLAIM 1. Liquid agrochemical composition containing (!) water in an amount equal to 30 wt.% or more, based on the total weight of the liquid agrochemical composition: (i) one or more electrolyte agrochemicals dissolved in water, wherein the total amount of electrolyte agrochemicals dissolved in the water is 20% by weight or more based on the total weight of water in the liquid agrochemical composition; (iii) a surfactant system comprising (a) from 2.0 to 6.0 wt.% surface-active alkyl polyglucoside, based on the total weight of the liquid agrochemical composition; and (b) from 2.0 to 6.0 wt.% of the auxiliary surfactant, based on the total weight of the liquid agrochemical composition, where the auxiliary surfactant is one or more surfactants described by the formulas below 9-14; and (iv) one or more agrochemicals suspended in water: so _3M Formula 9 where in formula 9: M means H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 9; and a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers from 0 to 11, provided that a+b is from 7 to 11; n ₃ s-(sn ₂ ) _a (sn ₂ ) _b -sn ₃ SO _3M Formula 19 where in formula 10: M is H or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 10; and a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers from 0 to I, provided that a+b is from 9 to 16; -29042359 ABOUT o so _z m Formula 11 where in formula 11: M means H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 11; And R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are selected from C6-C10 straight chain alkyl groups; and about Formula 12 where in formula 12: M means H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 12; And R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are selected from C1-C16 straight chain alkyl groups, provided that together R ¹ and R ² contain from 6 to 18 carbon atoms; BUT H ₃ C-(CH H ₃ C-(CH ₂ ) _ax ^> x ^ (CH ₂ ) _b -CH ₃ SO ₃ M SO ₃ M Formula 13-1 Formula 13-2 where in formulas 13-1 and 13-2: M is H or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 13-1 or formula 13-2; dashed line means optional double bond; a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers from 0 to 11, provided that a+b is from 9 to 14; Formula 14 where in formula 14: M is H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with a co-surfactant of formula 14, and R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are selected from among C 1 -C ₂₀ linear chain alkyl groups , provided that together R1 and ^R2 contain from 6 to 20 carbon atoms. 2. Liquid agrochemical composition according to claim 1, where the surface-active alkylpolyglucoside is described by the following formula (I): Formula (I): H-(G) _n -OR where G is a radical obtained by removing an H ₂ O molecule from a monosaccharide; n is from 1 to 5; And R is an alkyl radical, straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated, containing 8 to 20 carbon atoms. 3. Liquid agrochemical composition according to claim 2, where G in the formula (I) means a radical obtained by removing the H ₂ O molecule from a hexose described by the formula C ₆ H ₁₂ O ₆ or a pentose described by the formula C ₅ H ₁₀ O ₅ . 4. Liquid agrochemical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, where the ratio of the total weight of the surfactant alkyl polyglucoside to the total weight of the auxiliary surfactant - 30 042359 stva (b) is equal to from 0.3 to 3; or where the ratio of the total weight of the surfactant alkyl glucamide ester to the total weight of the co-surfactant (b) is from 0.3 to 3. 5. Liquid agrochemical composition according to any one of paragraphs.1-4, containing from 30 to 60 wt.% water; one or more agrochemical electrolytes dissolved in water, where the total amount of agrochemical electrolytes dissolved in water is 20 wt.% or more, based on the total amount of water in the liquid agrochemical composition; from 2 to 6 wt.% surface-active alkylpolyglucoside described by the following formula (I); from 2 to 6 wt.% auxiliary surfactant, described by one of the formulas 9-14 below: from 1 to 10 wt.% agrochemical suspended in water; Formula (I): H-(G) _n -OR where G is a radical obtained by removing an H ₂ O molecule from a monosaccharide; n is from 1 to 5; And R means an alkyl radical, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, containing the number of carbon atoms in the range from 8 to 20; H ₃ C-(CH ₂ ) (CH ₂ ) _b -CH ₃ m ΞΟ ₃ M Formula 9 where in formula 9: M means H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 9; and a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers from 0 to 11, provided that a+b is from 7 to 11; n ₃ s-(sn A ^ ^ g ^ s so ₃ m Formula 10 where in formula 10: M is H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with a co-surfactant of formula 10, and a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers equal to from 0 to 11, provided that that a+b is between 9 and 16; About _SO3M Formula 11 where in formula 11: M means H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 11; And R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are selected from C ₆ -C ₁₀ straight chain alkyl groups; And CO3M Formula 12 - 31 042359 where in formula 12: M means H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 12; And R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are selected from C1-C16 straight chain alkyl groups, provided that together R ¹ and R ² contain from 6 to 18 carbon atoms; BUT H ₃ C-(CH 2) a> ^ X5 ^ (CH ₂ ) _b -CH ₃ H ₃ C-(CH ₂ ) _ax ^> x ^ (CH ^ SO ₃ M SO ₃ M Formula 13-1 Formula 13-2 where in formula 13-1 and 13-2: M is H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 13-1 or formula 13-2; a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers from 0 to 11, provided that a+b is from 9 to 14; O | A 2 IT R SO _3M Formula 14 where in formula 14: M is H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with a co-surfactant of formula 14, and R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are selected from among C 1 -C 20 linear chain alkyl groups, provided that together R ¹ and R ² contain from 6 to 20 carbon atoms. 6. Liquid agrochemical composition according to claim 5, where G in the formula (I) means a radical obtained by removing the H ₂ O molecule from a hexose described by the formula C ₆ H ₁₂ O ₆ or a pentose described by the formula C5H10O5. 7. Liquid agrochemical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electrolyte agrochemical is selected from the group consisting of glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D or dicamba. 8. Agrochemical composition according to any one of paragraphs.1-7, containing from 40 to 60 wt.% water; from 20 to 35 wt.% one or more agrochemicals-electrolytes dissolved in water, where agrochemicals-electrolytes are selected from the group including glyphosate, glufosinate, 2,4-D or dicamba; from 2 to 6 wt.% surface-active alkylpolyglucoside described by the following formula (I); from 2 to 6 wt.% auxiliary surfactant, described by one of the formulas 9-14 below: from 1 to 10 wt.% agrochemical suspended in water; Formula (I): H-(G) _n -OR where G means the radical obtained by removing the H2O molecule from a hexose described by the formula C ₆ H ₁₂ O ₆ or a pentose described by the formula C ₅ H ₁₀ O ₅ ; n is from 1 to 5; And R means an alkyl radical, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, containing the number of carbon atoms in the range from 8 to 20; so ₃ m Formula 9 where in formula 9: M is H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 9; and a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers from 0 to 11, provided that a+b is from 7 to 11; H ₃ C-(CH ₂ ) _a ^ (CH ₂ ) _b -CH ₃ SO _3M Formula Y where in formula 10: M is H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with a co-surfactant of formula 10, and a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers equal to from 0 to 11, provided that that a+b is between 9 and 16; ABOUT about ₃ m Formula 11 where in formula 11: M means H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 11; And R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are selected from C ₆ -C ₁₀ straight chain alkyl groups; And About cha ² Formula 12 where in formula 12: M means H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 12; And R ¹ and R ² are the same or different and are selected from C1-C16 linear chain alkyl groups, provided that together R1 and R ² contain from 6 to 18 carbon atoms; BUT H ₃ C-(CH H ₃ C-(CH ^ ^ L ^ CH ^-CH3 _SO3M SO3M Formula 13-1 Formula 13-2 where in formula 13-1 and 13-2: M is H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 13-1 or formula 13-2; dashed line means optional double bond; a and b are the same or different and are selected from integers from 0 to 11, provided that a+b is from 9 to 14; SO _3M Formula 14 where in formula 14: M is H ⁺ or a cation capable of forming a neutralized salt with an auxiliary surfactant of formula 14, and R ¹ and R ² are the same or - 33 042359 different and selected from among C1-C20 having a linear chain of alkyl groups, provided that together R ¹ and R ² contain from 6 to 20 carbon atoms. 9. An agrochemical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the agrochemical suspended in water is one or more herbicides selected from the group consisting of acetochlor, amidosulfuron, atrazine, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl, benzobicyclone, bromoxynil, butachlor, butafenacil, carfentrazone-ethyl, chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron, cinmethylin, cinosulfuron, diflufenican, diuron, etofumazate, ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, florasulam, flucarbazone sodium, fluphenacet, foramsulfuron, flupyrsulfuron-methylsodium, halosulfuron-methyl, haloxyfop-R, imazapik, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron-methylsodium, mesosulfuron-methyl, mesotrione, metamitron, metolachlor, S-metolachlor, metsulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron, orthosulfamuron, oxasulfuron, pendimethalin, phenmedipham, picolinafen, primisulfuron-methyl, propachlor, prosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, quizalofop- R, rimsulfuron, saflufenacil, simazine, sulfometuron-methyl, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, tribenuron-methyl, triflox isulfuron, triflusulfuron methyl and tritosulfuron. 10. Liquid agrochemical composition according to any one of claims 1-9, where M in formulas 9, 10, 11, 12, 13-1, 13-2 or 14 means H ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , NH4 ⁺ or NH3iPr ⁺ .