MXPA97000659A - Formulation of - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a gel formulation comprising the components: a) an agrochemical (such as a herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, synergist or penetrant adjuvant), b) a particulate, inorganic filler material (such as fuming hydrolysed silica) having a surface area in the range of 10 to 400 m2 / g, the surface of the filler material having hydrophilic characteristics, c) an activator having a polar group capable of interacting with component (b) to produce a gel, and optionally; d) a dilute

Description

GEL FORMULATION DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a gel formulation, the formulation is dispersible in water and is especially useful for the formulation of agrochemicals. A formulation comprising a hazardous material, a surfactant and a gelling agent was described in US5139152. Although it is advantageous to prepare formulations at room temperature, all the examples of US5139152 relate to formulations prepared at elevated temperatures. EP-A-0347222 describes a liquid in a shell of water-soluble or water-dispersible material. The present invention provides a gel formulation comprising the components: a. an agrochemical product; b. a particulate, inorganic filler material having a surface area in the range of 10 to 400 m2 / g, the surface of the filler material having hydrophilic characteristics; c. an activator having a polar group capable of interacting with component b to produce a gel; and optionally, d. a diluent. The use of a particular inorganic filler material allows the gel formulation to disperse well, if mixed with water. The formulation of the present invention is suitable for being contained in a bag of water-soluble or water-dispersible material. The polar groups are, for example, hydroxy or nonionic alkoxy groups (such as alkenoxy, particularly ethyleneoxy or propyleneoxy). In one aspect the activator is a compound of the formula R (0 (CHR4)) nX in which p is an integer of 2 to 4; n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 200; R 4 is hydrogen or methyl; R is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl (optionally substituted by alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenylalkenyl, phenylalkyl or phenylalkyl), a sugar residue or a natural product (such as a lignin or cellulose); wherein the above R groups are optionally substituted with C02R ---, O2CR1 or RIR2; X is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl, CO2T1 or NR ^ R2; the aliphatic and aromatic groups of X are optionally substituted with C02R- ~, O2CR1, NH2, NHR1 or NRXR2; R1 and R2 are independently alkyl, phenyl or phenylalkyl; and T1 is hydrogen or an alkali metal; or R is a siloxyalkylenyl substituent group. For a compound of formula R (0 (CHR4)) nX the group CHR4 is the same or different and the group O (CHR4) is the same or different. The compound of formula R (0 (CHR4)) nX can alternatively be presented as RGX, wherein R and X are as defined above, and G is 1-200 alkylenyloxy groups independently selected from the group comprising: OCH2CH2, OCH2CH (CH3) and OCH (CH3) CH2. In this way the compound is, for example, R (OCH2CH2) 5 (OCH (CH3) CH2) (OCH2CH2) 5X, R (OCH2CH2) 13X OR R (OCH2CH (CH3)) 13 (OCH2CH2) 26X. In another and much more preferred aspect the group (CHR4) is independently selected from the group comprising: CH2CH2, CH2CH (CH3) and CH (CH3) CH2- In yet another aspect the activator is a compound of formula R (O (CHR4) p) nX in which the group (CHR4) is independently selected from the group comprising: CH2CH2, CH2CH (CH3) and CH (CH3) CH2; n is 0 or a whole number of 1 to 200; R is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl (optionally substituted by alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenylalkenyl, phenylalkyl or phenylalkyl), a sugar residue or a natural product (such as a lignin or cellulose); wherein the above R groups are optionally substituted with C02R ~ -, O2CR1 or NR ^ -R2; X is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl, CCUT1 or NR1R2; the aliphatic and aromatic groups of X are optionally substituted with C02R--, C CR1, NH2, NHR1 or NR1R2; R1 and R2 are independently alkyl, phenyl or phenylalkyl; and T1 is hydrogen or an alkali metal; or R is a siloxyalkylenyl substituent group. (Thus, the compound is, for example, R (OCH2CH2) 5 (OCH (CH3) CH2) 30 (OCH2CH2) 5X, R (OCH2CH2) 13X or R (OCH2CH (CH3)) 13 (OCH2CH2) 26X.) In a further aspect the activator is a compound of formula R (0 (CHR4)) n0H, in which the groups CHR4 are the same or different and the groups O (CHR4) are the same or different, and wherein R is hydrogen, alkyl of C "-24 'alkenyl of C8-24' alkynyl of cg-24 ° phenyl (optionally substituted by alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenylalkenyl of C2_4, phenylalkynyl of C2_4 or phenylalkyl of C-, _4); R 4 is hydrogen or methyl; p is a whole number of 2 to 4; and n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 50. In still yet a further aspect the activator is a compound of formula R (0 (CHR4) D) n0H wherein p is 2. In another aspect the activator is a compound of formula R (0 (CHR4)) nOH where n is an integer in the range of 10 to 50. It is preferred that R is alkyl, alkenyl or phenyl (optionally substituted by p2-4 phenylalkyl phenylalkyl of 1-4.) In a further aspect the activator is a compound of formula HO (CH2CHOR5) mH, wherein m is an integer from 1 to 30; R5 hydrogen or COR6 and R6 is alkyl of Cl-4 * An activator that has a polar group capable of interacting with component b. includes a cationic surfactant, especially a compound of formula R9R10RllR12N + -?. / in to R9i R10 / Rll and R12 sorl / independently alkyl, and Y 'is a suitable anion (such as chloride, bromide or iodide) alkyl groups preferably they contain, at least that is established in another form, from 1 to 24, especially from 1 to 6, for example from 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the straight or branched chain form.The alkyl is, for example, methyl , ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl or n-butyl The alkenyl and alkynyl groups preferably contain from 6 to 24, especially from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, in straight or branched chain form. , linolenyl, linolyl, licosenoilo, erucyl, palmitoyl, oleyl or undecenyl. An alkali metal is, for example, sodium or potassium. the substituted siloxilalquilenilo includes (R7SiO) 2R8Si (CH2) qO (CHR 4) X, wherein portions ( CHR4) and X are as defined in the above, R7 and R8 are independently Iquilo of C1_6 and q is an integer from 1 to 10.

A sugar residue is preferably a furanoside or of pyranoside (such as sorbose, sorbitose, glucose, fructose or mannose) in which the 6-hydroxy has been esterified with a fatty acid, long chain (such as lauric acid, stearic , oleic, palmitic, sesquioleic or octadecenoic) and optionally one or more of the hydroxy groups of another sugar is replaced by GX, where X is as defined above, and G are oxyalkylenyl groups of 1-200 selected independently of the group consisting of: OCH2CH2, OCH2CH (CH3) and OCH (CH3) CH2. Alkylenyl is a chain consisting of one or more methylene groups (ie CH2) • The alkylenyl chain is optionally substituted with methyl. Activators of formula R (0 (CHR4)) are, for example, sold under the trademarks PLURONIC (from BASF) or SYNPERONIC PE (from ICI). Activators of formula R (0 (CHR 4)) nX includes S0PR0PH0R BSU, SYNPERONIC NP15, SYNPERONIC A4, SYNPERONIC NPE 1800, BRIJ 96, SOPROPHOR S25, SOPROPHOR S40, PEG 400, SPAN 20, SPAN 40, SPAN 60, SPAN 65 , SPAN 80, SPAN 83 and SPAN 85. Activators of the formula R9R10RllR12N +? - include ARQUAD 16/50. The word "agrochemical" includes an active ingredient such as a herbicide. { such as a benzo-2,1,3-thiadiazin-4-one-2,2-dioxide (for example bentazone), a herbicidal hormone (for example a phenoxyalkanoic acid such as MCPA, MCPA-thioethyl, dichlorprop, 2,4 , 5-T, MCPB, 2, -D, 2,4-DB, mecoprop, triclopyr, fluroxypyr or clopyralid or derivatives thereof (for example a salt, ester or amide thereof)), a 1,3-dimethylpyrazole derivative (for example pyrazoxyfen, pyrazolate or benzofenap) a dinitrophenol or a derivative thereof (for example dinoterb, dinosep or its ester or dinoseb acetate), a dinitroaniline (for example dinitramine, trifluralin, etalflurolina, pendimethalin and oryzalin), an arylurea (such as diuron, flumeturon, metoxuron, neburon, isoproturon, chlorotoluron, chloroxuron, linuron, monolinuron, chlorbromuron, daimuron or methabenzthiazuron), an fenilcarbamoiloxifenilcarbamato (phenmedipham or desmedipham as), a 2-phenylpyridazin-3-one (such as chloridazon or norflurazon, a uracil (such as lenacil, bromacil or terbacillus), a triazine (such as atrazine, simazine, azyprotrine, cyanazine, prometryn, dimethamethrin, if etrine or terbutrine), a phosphorothioate (such as piperophos, bensulide or butamiphos), a thiocarbamate (such as prosulfocarb, cycloate, vernolate, molinate, thiobencarb, butylate, EPTC, tri-allate, di-allate, esprocarb, thiocarbazyl, pyridate or dimethoperate), a 1,2,4-triazine-5 -one (such as etamitron or metribuzin), a benzoic acid (such as 2,3,6-TBA, dicamba or chloramben), an anuide (such as pretilachlor, butachlor, alachlor, propachlor, propanil, metazachlor, metolachlor, acetochlor or dimethachlor), a dihalobenzonitrile (such as dichlobenil, broxinyl or ioxinyl), a halo alkanoic herbicide (such as dalapon, TCA or a salt thereof) a diphenylether (such as lactofen, fluroglycophene, or a salt or ester thereof, nitrophen, bifenox, aciflurofen or a salt or ester thereof, oxyfluorfen, fom esafeno, clonitrofen or clometoxifene), an aryloxyphenoxypropionate (such as a diclofop or an ester thereof (such as methyl ester), fluazifop or an ester thereof, haloxifop or an ester thereof, quizalofob or an ester thereof or fenoxaprop or a ester thereof (such as ethyl ether), a cyclohexanedione (such as alloxydim or a salt thereof, sethoxydim cycloxydim, tralcoxydim or clethodim), a sulfonylurea (such as chlorsulfuron, sulfometuron, metsulfuron or an ester thereof, bensulfuron or an ester thereof (such as DPX-M6313), chlorimurom or an ester (such as the styther) thereof, pyrimisulfuron or an ester (such as the methyl ester) thereof, 2- [3- (4-methoxy-6-methyl) -1, 3, 5-triazinyl) -3-methylureido-sulfonyl) benzoic acid or an ester (such as methyl ester) thereof, (DPX-L5300) or pyrazosulfuron), an herbicide and idazolidinone (such as imazaquine, imazametabenza, imazapyr or imazetapir), an arylanilide herbicide (such as flamprop or an ester from the ism, benzoylpropylethyl or diflufenican), an amino acid herbicide (such as glyphosphate or glufosinate or a salt or ester thereof, sulfosate or bialaphos), an organoarsenical herbicide (such as monosodium methanoarsothane (MSMA)), a herbicidal amide derivative ( such as napropamide, propyzamide, carbetamide, tebutam, bromobutido, isoxaben, naproanilide or naptalam), a herbicidal tricetone (such as sulcotrione), a miscellaneous herbicide (such as ethofumesate, cinmethilin, difenzoquat or a salt thereof such as the sulfate salt methyl, clomazone, oxadiazone, bromophenoxim, barban, tridifan, fluorochloridone, quinclorac, dithiopyr or mefanacet) or a contact herbicide (such as a bipyridilium herbicide for example a herbicide in which the active entity is paraquat or diquat)} , an insecticide. { such as a pyrethroid (such as permethrin, esfenvalerate, deltamethrin, cyhalothrin in particular lambda-cyhalothrin, bifenthrin, fenpropathrin, cyfluthrin, tefluthrin, safe pyrethroids for pesos for example etofenprox, natural pyrethrin, tetramethrin, s-biolethrin, fenfluthrin, praletrin or carboxylate 5- benzyl-3-furyl-methyl- (E) - (IR, 3S) -2, 2-dimethyl-3- (2-oxothiolan-3-ylidenmethyl) cyclopropane carboxylate), an organophosphate (such as profenofos, sulprofos, methyl paration) , azinphos-methyl, demeton-s-methyl, heptenofos, thiometon, fenamifos, monocrotophos, profenofos, triazofos, methamidophos, dimethoate, phosphamidon, malathion, chloropyrifos, fosalona, terbufos, fensulfotion, fonofos, phorate, phoxim, pirimiphos-methyl, pirimiphos ethyl, fenitrothion or diazinon), a carbamate insecticide (such as pyrimicarb, cloetocarb, carbofuran, furathiocarb, ethiofencarb, aldicarb, thiofurox, carbosulfan, bendiocarb, phenobucarb, propoxur or oxamyl), a benzoylurea (such as triflumuron, or chlorfluazuron), a compuest or organotin (such as cyhexatin, fenbutatin oxide or azocyclotin), a macrolide insecticide (such as an avermectin or milbemycin, for example abamectin, ivermectin or milbemycin), an insecticidal hormone or pheromone, an organochlor compound (such as benzene hexachloride) , DDT, chlordane or dieldrin), an insecticide amide (such as clordimerform or amitraz), imidacloprid, cartap, buprofezin, clofentezine, flubenzimine, hexitiazox, tetradifon, a motilicide (such as dicofol or propargite), an acaricide (such as bromopropylate, chlorobenzilate) or an insect growth regulator (such as hydramethylron, cyromazine, methoprene, chlorfluazuron or diflubenzuron)} , a fungicide. { such as (RS) -1-aminopropylphosphonic acid, (RS) -4- (4-chlorophenyl) -2-phenyl-2- (1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl) bu-thy-nitrile, (Z) -N-but-2-enyloxymethyl-2-chloro-2 ', 6'-diethyl-acetanilido, 1- (2-cyano-methoxyiminoacetyl) -3-ethyl urea, 4- (2,2-difluoro- 1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl) pyrrol-3-carbonitrile, 4-bromo-2-cyano-NN-dimethyl-6-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole-1-sulfonamide, 5-ethyl-5,8-dihydro-8-oxo acid (1, 3) -dioxo- (4, 5-g) quinoline-7-carboxylic acid, a- [N- (3-chloro-2,6-xylyl) -2-methoxy-acetamido] -g-butyrolactone, N - (2-methoxy-5-pyridyl) -cyclopro-pancarboxamide, alanicarb, aldimorf, ampropylphos, anilazine, azaconazole, BAS 490F, benalaxyl, benomyl, biloxazole, binapacril, bitertanol, blasticidin S, bromuconazole, bupirimate, butenachlor, butiobate, captafol , captan, carbendazim, carbendazim hydrochloride, carboxin, quinoethionate, chlorbenzthiazone, chloroneb, chlorothalonil, chlorozolinate, clozilacon, copper-containing compounds such as copper oxychloride, oxy-oxylate, copper sulfate, copper talate and Bordeaux mixture, cycloheximides, cymoxanil, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, ciprofuram, debacarb, 1,1'-di-2-pyridyl disulfide dioxide, diclofluanid, cyclone, cyclobutrazol, diclomezine, dichlor, chloride of didecyldimethylammonium, dietofencarb, diphenoeazole, O, 0-di-iso-propyl-S-benzylthiophosphate, dimefluazole, dimetconazole, dimetomorph, dimethirimol, diniconazole, dinocap, dipyrithione, ditalimphos, dithianon, dodemorf, dodin, doguadine, edifenfos, epoxicanazol, etaconazole , etirimol, ethoxyquin, ethyl (Z) -N-benzyl-N- ([methyl (methylthioethylideneamino-oxycarbonyl) amino] -thio) -β-alaninate, etridiazole, fenaminosulf, fenapanil, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorf, fentino acetate, fentino hydroxide, ferbam, ferimzono, fluazinam, fludioxonil, fluoroimide, fluquinconazole, flusilazol, flutolanil, flutriafol, folpet, fuberidazole, furametpir, furalaxil, furconazole-cis, guazatin, hexaconazole, hydroxyisoxazole, himex azole, ICIA5504, imazalil, imibenconazole, ipconazole, iprobenfos, iprodione, isopropanilbutyl carbamate, isoprothiolane, kasugamycin, mancozeb, maneb, mepanipyrim, mepronil, metalaxyl, metconazole, metfuroxam, metiram, metiram-zinc, metsulfovax, myclobutanil, NTN0301, neoasozin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrotal-isopropyl, naurimol, ofurace, organomercury compound, oxadicil, axolinic acid, oxycarboxin, perfurazoate, penconazole, pencicuron, phenazine oxide, fosetyl-Al, phosphorous acids, phthalide, polyoxin D, polyram, probenzole, prochloraz , procymidone, propamocarb, propamocarb hydrochloride, propiconazole, propineb, propionic acid, protiocarb, piracarbolid, pyrazophos, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyroquilon, piroxifur, pyrrolnitrin, quaternary ammonium compounds, quinconazole, quinomethionate, quintozene, rabenazole, sodium pentachlorophenatos, streptomycin , sulfur, tebuconazole, tecloftalam, tecnazeno, tetraconazole, thiabendazole, ticiofen, tifluzamide, 2- (thiocyanate) ometil-thio) benzothiazole, thiophanate-methyl, thiram, timibenconazole, tolclofosmethyl, tolylfluanid, 1,1'-iminodi (octamethylene) -diguanidine triacetate salt, triadimefon, triadimenol, triazbutyl, triazoxide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, triforine, triflumizole, triticonazole , validamycin A, vapa, vinclozolin, XRD-563, zineb or ziram} or a regulator of plant growth. { such as abcysic acid, dikegulac, fenpentezole, paclobutrazol, or one of the gibrelins (for example GA3, GA4 or GA7)} . The word agrochemical includes an adjuvant synergist or penetration agent. Thus, in another aspect, the present invention provides a gel formulation comprising the components: a. a fungicidal, herbicidal, insecticidal, adjuvant, synergistic or penetrating agent; b. an inorganic particulate filler material having a surface area in the range of 10 to 400 m / g, the surface of the filler material having hydrophilic characteristics; c. an activator having a polar group capable of interacting with component b to produce a gel; and optionally, d. a diluent. It is preferred that the inorganic particulate filler material have active sites (especially isolated hydroxy groups) capable of binding hydrogen to the activator. It is preferred that the particulate, inorganic filler material is, for example, a silica, preferably silica hydrolyzed to the flame (ie, fuming silica). It is preferred that the particulate, inorganic filler material have a surface area in the range of 100 to 400, particularly 100 of 350, especially 150 to 300 m2 / g. The diluent is preferably a vegetable oil or a derivative thereof (such as methyl oleate, soybean oil, coconut oil or sunflower seed oil), a hydrocarbon (for example SOLVESSO 150 or 200) or a derivative thereof. (for example cyclohexanone), a chlorinated solvent (such as a chlorinated aromatic, for example chlorotoluene), a paraffinic oil (such as ISOPAR M), a pyrrolidone (such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) or a lactone (such as g-butyrolactone). In one aspect the present invention provides a gel formulation comprising 1-90% (preferably 10-80%) by weight of an agrochemical product or agent, 1-50% (preferably 5-25%) by weight of an activator having a polar group, 1-20% (preferably 2-10% or 1-4%) by weight of a particulate, inorganic and optionally 2-80% filler material (preferably 5-50%) by weight of a solvent. A Bohlin VOR rheometer can be used to measure the elasticity and viscosity of the gel formulation of the present invention under shearing conditions. Here, a deformation that varies sinusoidally (at a frequency of 1Hz) is applied to a sample of a formulation maintained at 25 ° C. The resulting deformation was observed, which also varies sinusoidally with time. The ratio of the maximum stress to the maximum strain is known as the complex modulus (G *). By using the displacement of the phase angle, d, between the voltage and strain wave forms the complex module, can be divided into two components - the storage module (elastic) (G ') and the loss module (viscous) (G) ") The storage and loss modules are a measure of the stored energy and the energy loss respectively, in an oscillatory cycle The relative magnitude of the loss and storage modules (G" / G '= Tan d) provides information on the elasticity of the gel. The lower the value of Tan d the higher the degree of gelling. Similarly, the gels are characterized by their non-Newtonian flow behavior, which has, for example, decreased shear and yield values. Performance values can be measured using a RV20 Haake rotary disk under high shear conditions. In still another aspect, the present invention provides a gel formulation as described above, having a storage modulus (G1) in the range of 2-1000 Pa, preferably in the range of 10-200 Pa. In another aspect, the present invention provides a gel formulation as described above having a Tan d (ratio of loss modulus to storage modulus) of less than 1, preferably 0.5, especially less than 0.2. (The rheological measurements are carried out at a temperature of 25 ° C. The oscillation measurements are carried out within the linear viscoelastic region as determined by strain sweep measurements made at a frequency of 1Hz (6.28 rad / s) ). In addition to the aforementioned components, a gel formulation of the present invention may also consist of an adhesive, an antifoaming agent, a buffer, a deodorant, a dispersant, an emetic, an emulsifier, a plasticizer, a preservative, an agent to give odor, a perfume, a security agent, another solvent agent, a stabilizer, a synergist, a thickener or a humectant. When the gel formulation of the invention is to be contained in a water soluble or water dispersible bag, it is preferred that a plasticizer be included in the gel. The plasticizer of preference is present in the range of 0.1 to 5% (especially 0.3 to 3%, for example 0.3 to 0.75%) by weight. Suitable plasticizers include glycols (eg ethylene glycol, glycerin, water, PEG 200 and dibutyl phthalate) In another aspect, the present invention provides a packaging system comprising a water-soluble or water-dispersible bag containing a gel of the present invention The water soluble or water dispersible bag can be made from a variety of materials and the preferred materials are polyethylene oxide, methylcellulose or especially polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) .The PVA is generally partially or totally alcoholized or hydrolyzed, for example 40-100%, especially 80-100%, an alcoholized or hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate film.It is preferred that the PVA film be a laminate of two or more thicknesses of the film, a modified film on the surface or a co-extruded film (as described in WO 94/29188) .The water-soluble or water-dispersible bag can be formed and filled using Standard techniques (such as thermoforming or vertical-sealed filling). In another aspect, the packaging system comprises an arrangement of a bag within a bag comprising a water-soluble or water-dispersible bag while maintaining a gel of the present invention and a second water-soluble or water-dispersible bag that maintains a gel of the present invention. This bag arrangement within a bag can be used, for example to contain a gel of the present invention comprising a fungicide, herbicide or insecticide in the inner bag and a gel of the present invention, comprising an adjuvant, synergist or agent of penetration in the outer bag. In another aspect, the packaging system provides two water-soluble or water-dispersible bags joined in a common seal, one containing a gel of the present invention comprising a fungicide, herbicide or insecticide, the other bag containing a gel of the present invention comprising an adjuvant, synergistic or penetrating agent. In another aspect, the packaging system consists of an arrangement of a bag within a bag comprising a first water soluble or water dispersible bag holding a gel of the present invention and a second bag soluble in water or dispersible in water which maintains an agrochemical composition (such as a liquid, granular, powder or gel composition comprising a fungicidal, herbicidal, insecticidal, adjuvant, synergistic or penetrating agent). In another aspect the packaging system comprises an arrangement of a bag within a bag, comprising a first water-soluble or water-dispersible bag that maintains an agrochemical composition (such as a liquid, granular, powder or gel composition). , comprising a fungicidal agent, herbicide, adjuvant insecticide, or penetrating agent) and a second water-soluble or water-dispersible bag holding a gel of the present invention. In another aspect, the packaging system provides two water-soluble or water-dispersible bags joined in a common seal, a first one containing a gel of the present invention comprising a fungicidal, herbicidal, insecticidal, adjuvant, synergistic or penetrating agent. , the other bag contains an agrochemical composition (such as a liquid granular, powder or gel composition comprising a fungicidal, herbicidal, insecticidal, adjuvant, synergistic or penetrating agent). In yet another aspect, the packaging system comprises an arrangement of a bag within a bag comprising a first water soluble or water dispersible bag holding a gel of the present invention and a second bag soluble in water or dispersible in water which surrounds the first water-soluble or water-dispersible bag. The advantage of this system is that the second bag presents a barrier for any material that leaks from the first bag. During use, the packaging system can be mixed with water to give a solution that can be sprayed or dispersed from the agrochemical agent. The gel formulation of the invention can be made by simply mixing all the gel components at room temperature. In another aspect, therefore, the present invention provides a process for preparing a gel formulation as defined above.

The following Examples illustrate the invention. SOLVESSO, SOPROPHOR, SYNPERONIC, BRIJ, AEROSIL, ATLOX, RHODAFAC, TURBOCHARGE and TENSIOFIX are trademarks or brand names.

EXAMPLE 1 Component Quantity (% p / p) (A) Fluazifop-P-butyl 62.5? (B) Methyl oleate for 100 (C) Fuming silica powder 2.5 (surface area of 200m2 / g) (D) SOPROPHOR BSU 12.0 (E) SOPROPHOR FL 1.5 (F) Ethylene glycol 0.8 (G) BRIJ 93 1.0 (H) BRIJ 96 6.0 Amount of the actual active ingredient present (A) and (B) are mixed and (C) is mixed in the resulting mixture using a high shear mixer. (D), (E), (F), (G) and (H) are then added to the resulting mixture sequentially. The mixture is thickened significantly to give a gel that is soluble in water, showed good emulsion stability and has the following rheological characteristics under high shear conditions: Apparent viscosity (mPa, D 300s_1): 304 at 25 ° C Value of deformation (Pa, Casson): 6.5 EXAMPLE 2 Silica powder (2.5% w / w, fumed silica with surface area of 200 m2 / g) was mixed at high shear in an oil-based mixture comprising fluazifop-P-butyl (62.5% w / w ingredient amount actual active present) and methyl oleate (the processing component). SOPROPHOR BSU (12% w / w) is then mixed in the dispersion. Significant thickening of the formulation occurs.

EXAMPLE 3 The procedure for Example 2 was repeated, except that the methyl oleate solvent was replaced with an aromatic organic solvent (SOLVESSO 200). A gel formulation is obtained.

EXAMPLE 4 The procedure for Example 2 was repeated except that SYNPERONIC NP15 was used instead of SOPROPHOR BSU. A gel formulation was obtained.

EXAMPLE 5 The procedure for Example 2 was repeated except that SYNPERONIC A4 was used in place of SOPROPHOR BSU. A gel formulation was obtained.

EXAMPLE 6 Silica powder (2.5% w / w, fumed silica with a surface area of 200 m2 / g) was mixed at high shear in an oil-based mixture comprising fluazifop-P-butyl (62.5% w / w, amount of the actual active ingredient present) and methyl oleate (the processing component). Then they are mixed in the dispersion SOPROPHOR BSU (14% w / w) and BRIJ 96 (3% w / w). The significant thickening of the formulation occurred. An anionic emulsifier, the amine salt of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (3% w / w) is then mixed into the dispersion. The resulting gel was dispersible in water and showed good emulsion stability when diluted in water (5% v / v dilution). Some of the gel produced (50 g) is packed in a water-soluble pouch formed of a polyvinyl alcohol film, packed in a polyethylene bag and stored under ambient conditions.

EXAMPLE 7 Silica powder (2.5% w / w, fumed silica with a surface area of 200 m2 / g) was dispersed in fluazifop-P-butyl (62.5% w / w), actual amount of the active ingredient present) using a mixer high shear stress. Then SYNPERONIC A4 (12% w / w), water (processing component) and calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (70% in n-butanol) (3.5% w / w) are dispersed in the dispersion. The significant thickening occurred. Some of the gel produced (50 g) was packaged in a water-soluble pouch formed of a polyvinyl alcohol film. After 50 days of storage under ambient conditions, the bag showed no signs of leakage or permeation.

EXAMPLE 8 Component Quantity (% p / p) (A) Lambda cyanotrin 25.0 (B) Methyl oleate for 100 (C) Fuming silica powder 4.0 (surface area of 200 m2 / g) (D) SOPROPHOR BSU 4.2 (E) SYNPERONIC A4 0.8 (F) Ethylene glycol 0.8 (G) RHODAFAC 2283 3.2 Amount of the actual active ingredient present (A) and (B) were mixed and (C) was mixed into the resulting mixture using a high shear mixer. (D), (E), (F), and (G) are then added to the resulting mixture sequentially. The mixture thickened significantly to give a gel that was dispersible in water, showed good emulsion stability and had the following rheological characteristics at low shear conditions: G * complex module: 83 Pa Elastic modulus G ': 81 Pa Viscous modulus G " : 15 Pa Tan d: 0.19 EXAMPLE 9 TURBOCHARGE (available from ZENECA limited, 95% p / p which comprises nonionic surfactants in a solvent system, nonionic surfactants have a role as adjuvant and as activators) and silica powder (5% w / w, fuming silica with a surface area of 200 m2 / g) are mixed thoroughly using a high shear mixer. It turned out a thixotropic, viscous gel with the following rheological characteristics: ...... .. Complex module G *: 40 Pa Elastic modulus G ': 39 Pa Viscous module G ": 12 Pa Tan d 0.31 EXAMPLE 10 Component Quantity (% w / w) (A) Acetochlor 75.0 A (B) Silica AEROSIL COK 84 2.5 (C) Polyethylene glycol (PM 400) 8.0 (D) SYNPERONIC NPE 1800 6.0 (E) Calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 2.0 (70% in n-butanol) Amount of the actual active ingredient present (A) and ( B) were mixed using a high shear mixer. Then (C), (D), and (E) are added to the resulting dispersion mixture and the mixture was mixed at high shear. The resulting gel was dispersible in water, showed good emulsion stability and had the following rheological characteristics (low shear stress) G-module complex: 82 Pa Elastic modulus G ': 81 Pa Viscous modulus G ": 13 Pa Tan d: 0.16 EXAMPLE 11 Component Quantity (% p / p) (A) Tralalcoxidim 10.0 A (B) ATLOX 4848 5.0 (C) ATLOX 4849 2.0 (D) Ethylene glycol 1.0 (E) Ailice AEROSIL A200 2.5 (F) Monochlorotoluene 50.0 (G) SOLVESSO 150 for 100 Amount of the actual active ingredient present The components were mixed using a mixer high shear stress to produce a gel that was dispersible in water, showed good stability in emulsion and had the following rheological characteristics: Complex module G *: 30 Pa Elastic modulus G ': 30 Pa Viscous module G ": 1.4 Pa Tan d: 0.05 EXAMPLE 12 Component Quantity (% w / w) (A) Hexaconasol 20.0 A (B) Silica AEROSIL A200 4.5 (C) SYNPERONIC NP15 12.0 (D) Ethylene glycol 1.0 (E) Calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 1.0 (70% in n-butane) (F) Cyclohexanone for 100.0 ~ Amount of actual active ingredient present Components were mixed using a high shear mixer to produce a gel that was dispersible in water, showed good stability in emulsion and tube the following rheological characteristics: Complex module G *: 22 Pa Elastic modulus G ': 22 Pa Viscous module G ": 4 Pa Tan d 0.18 EXAMPLE 13 The following Table demonstrates the need to have both an activator and a silica present to obtain a gelled formulation. lation G * G »G" Tan (Pa) (Pa) (Pa) A 0.72 0.07 0.71 9.86 B 1.03 0.41 0.95 2.29 C 169 168 15.7 0.09 The components in formulation A (% w / w): fluazifop-P-butyl (amount of the actual active ingredient present) 62.5; silica AEROSIL A200 2.5; and methyl oleate 15 to 100. The components in formulation B (% w / w): < (A fluazifop-P-butyl (amount of the actual active ingredient present) 62.5, SOPROPHOR BSU 13.0, and methyl oleate for 100. 20 The components in formulation C (% w / w): fluazifop-P-butyl (amount of active ingredient present) 62.5, silica AEROSIL A200U 2.5, SOPROPHOR BSU 13.0 and methyl oleate for 100.

Formulations A, B and C were prepared by mixing the components using a high shear mixer.

EXAMPLE 14 Component Quantity. { % p / p) (A) Fluazifop-P-butyl 62.5 A (B) Silica powder AEROSIL A200 2.0 (C) BRIJ 96 1.0 (D) SYNPERONIC A4 3.0 (E) TENSIOFIX HVO 90 5.0 (F) Ethylene glycol 1.0 (G) SOPROPHOR 4D384 1.5 (H) AEROSOL OT-B • 2.5 (I) ) Methylated cannula oil for 100 Amount of the actual active ingredient present (B) is added to a mixture of (A) and (I) and the resulting mixture was mixed at high shear until it was free of agglomerates. (C), (D), (E) and (F) are then added and the mixture is mixed at high shear.

Significant thickening of the mixture occurred. Finally (G) and (H) are added and the mixture was mixed at high shear until a homogeneous gel was obtained. The resulting gel had the following rheological characteristics: Complex module G *: 57 Pa Elastic module G ': 56 Pa Viscous module G ": 9.8 Pa Tan d 0.17 EXAMPLE 15 The procedure for Example 2 was repeated, except that ARQUAD 16/50 [cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (50% in isopropyl alcohol)] was used instead of SOPROPHOR BSU. A gel formulation was obtained.

EXAMPLE 16 The procedure for Example 2 was repeated, except that the water was used in place of SOPROPHOR BSU. A gel formulation was obtained.

Claims (9)

1. A packaging system comprising a gel formulation contained in a water soluble or water dispersible bag, the formulation is characterized in that it comprises the components: a. an agrochemical agent; b. a particulate, inorganic filler material having a surface area in the range of 10 to 400 m / g, the surface of the filler material has hydrophilic characteristics and the filler material has active sites capable of hydrogen bonding with the component c; c. an activator having a polar group capable of interacting with component b to produce a gel, with the proviso that the active ingredient is not water; and optionally, d. a diluent.

2. The packaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that the particulate, inorganic filler material is fumed hydrolyzed silica.

3. The packaging system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the surface area of the inorganic particulate material is in the range of 100 to 400 m2 / g.

4. The packaging system according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that the activator is a compound of the formula R (0 (CHR4)) nX in which p is an integer from 2 to 4; n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 200; R 4 is hydrogen or methyl; R is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl (optionally substituted by alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenylalkenyl, phenylalkyl or phenylalkyl), a sugar residue or a natural product (such as a lignin or cellulose); wherein the above R groups are optionally substituted with CC ^ R1, O2CR1 or NR1R2; X is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl, CC ^ T1 or NR ^ 2; the aliphatic and aromatic groups of X are optionally substituted with C02R--, O2CR1, NH2, NHR1 or NR ^ -R2; R1 and R2 are independently alkyl, phenyl or phenylalkyl; and T1 is hydrogen or an alkali metal; or R is a siloxyalkylenyl substituent group.

5. The packaging system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the activator is a compound of the formula R (0 (CHR4)) nOH, wherein the CHR4 groups are the same or different and the groups O ( CHR4) are the same or different, and wherein R is hydrogen, C8_24 alkyl, C8_24 alkenyl of Cg_2 alkynyl or phenyl (optionally substituted by alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenylalkenyl of C2_4, phenylalkynyl of C2_4 or phenylalkyl of C1 -4); R 4 is hydrogen or methyl; p is an integer from 2 to 4; and n is' 0 or an integer from 1 to 50.

6. The packaging system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the activator is a compound of the formula RGX, wherein R is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl (optionally substituted by alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl , phenylalkenyl, phenylalkyl or phenylalkyl), a sugar residue or a natural product; wherein the above R groups are optionally substituted with C02R- ~ -, O2CR1 or NR1R2, X is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl, CO2T1 or NR1R2; the aliphatic and aromatic groups of X are optionally substituted with CC ^ R1, 02CR1, NH2, NHR1 or NRXR2; R1 and R2 are independently alkyl, phenyl or phenylalkyl; and T1 is hydrogen or an alkali metal; or R is a substituted siloxyalkylenyl group; G is 1-200 alkylenyloxy groups independently selected from the group comprising: OCH2CH2, OCH2CH (CH3) and OCH (CH3) CH2.

7. The packaging system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the activator is a compound of the formula R9R10R?: LR1 N + Y ", wherein R9, R10, R11 and R12 are, independently alkyl, and And "it's a suitable anion.

8. A packaging system according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the agrochemical agent is a fungicidal, herbicidal, insecticidal, adjuvant, synergistic or penetrating agent.

9. A packaging system that provides two water-soluble or water-dispersible bags joined in a common seal, a bag containing a gel formulation, characterized in that it comprises a fungicide, herbicide or insecticide, the other bag contains a gel formulation which it comprises an adjuvant, synergist or penetration agent.