NZ737511B2 - Biodegradable super-spreading, organomodified trisiloxane - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to polyether-modified siloxanes which are both superspreading and biodegradable. In particular, the invention is directed to a composition including polyether-modified siloxanes of Formula (I) MaDbD?c where M=R13SiO1/2, D=R12SiO2/2, D?=R1R2SiO2/2, where a is 2, b is between 0 and 0.1, c is between 1.0 and 1.15, 0 and 1.05, R1 are independently hydrocarbyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl or phenyl radicals, especially preferably methyl radicals, R2 are independently a polyether radical. nd 0.1, c is between 1.0 and 1.15, 0 and 1.05, R1 are independently hydrocarbyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl or phenyl radicals, especially preferably methyl radicals, R2 are independently a polyether radical.

Description

Biodegradable super-spreading, organomodified trisiloxane Abstract: her-modified siloxanes which are both preading and readily biodegradable.

Description of the invention: In crop protection, in pesticides and also in the industrial non-crop sector, the biological efficacy of such pesticides or pesticide mixtures is frequently improved by using what are called adjuvants or else aries or additives. Efficacy is frequently also referred to as effectiveness. The Pesticides Safety orate (PSD, the executive branch of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a non-governmental public organization in Great Britain) defines an adjuvant as a substance other than water which is not itself pesticidally active but increases the effectiveness of a pesticide. (http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/guidance/industries/pesticides/topics/pesticideapprovals /legislation/adjuvants-an-introduction). These are either added to the aqueous spray liquor shortly before deployment and spray application (as tankmix additive) or incorporated directly into crop protection composition formulations. With regard to the use of the word adjuvant, patents or the literature often use the terms surfactant or g agent mously, but these are much too nging and can therefore be interpreted as more of an umbrella term. Because of the use envisaged here, the term "adjuvant" is employed.

In practice, there are numerous crop protection active ingredients which achieve acceptable effectiveness, i.e. practically relevant efficacy, only with the aid of adjuvants. The adjuvants help here to compensate for the weaknesses of the active ingredient, for example the UV sensitivity of avermectins (destroyed by ultraviolet ion) or the water instability of sulphonylureas. More recent active ingredients are generally water-insoluble and, in order ore to be able to spread ively over a target = target organism = plant, adjuvants are indispensable for the aqueous spray liquor, in order to compensate for the poor wetting of surfaces by way of a physical influence on the aqueous solutions. In addition, adjuvants help to overcome cal application problems, such as low water ation rates, different water ies and the trend to increased application rates. The increase in pesticide efficacy and the sation for weaknesses in the crop protection compositions by adjuvants are generally referred to as increasing the activity or enhancing the effect of the crop protection composition application.

In crop protection, in pest l and in the industrial sector, chemical or biological crop protection compositions (also called pesticides hereinafter) or pesticide mixtures are employed. These may be, for example, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, growth regulators, molluscicides, bactericides, virucides, micronutrients and biological crop protection compositions based on natural products or living or sed microorganisms. Active pesticidal ingredients are listed in connection with their fields of use, for example, in ‘The Pesticide Manual', 14th edition, 2006, The British Crop Protection 2 2016/062134 Council; biological active ingredients are ied in ‘The Manual of Biocontrol Agents', 2001, The British Crop Protection l. "Pesticide" is always used as a collective term hereinafter.

In order to be able to assess the agricultural potential and the activities of substances, it is necessary to carry out not only the laboratory and greenhouse experiments, but also realistic applications in agriculture, for example field trials.

In practice, crop tion compositions of this kind are often added to a tank with water as an ingredient and distributed in what is called the spray liquor with gentle stirring, in order to dilute the concentrated ation of the active ingredient prior to ng and to make it tolerable for the plants. Adjuvants are either incorporated into the crop protection formulation here prior to the tankmixing operation or added to the spray liquor as separate tankmix additives.

Adjuvants used are frequently synthetic surfactants, for example ethoxylated alcohols or alkyl polyglycosides. The use of water-soluble hydrophilic polyglyceryl esters as nts in crop protection formulations is likewise known (, US 2006/0264330A1). In general, a feature common to these nts is that they are water-soluble hydrophilic substances. Further adjuvants frequently used are additionally lated trisiloxane surfactants which lower the static surface tension of spray liquors or water to a greater degree than the organic surfactants used in the past, for example nonylphenol ethoxylates. Trisiloxane surfactants have the general structure Me3SiO-SiMeROSiMe3 where the R radical is a polyether radical. The use of superspreading oxane surfactants, for example, BREAK-THRU® S-240, Evonik Industries AG, in combination with a pesticide, leads to an improvement in pesticide uptake by the plant and generally to a rise in the efficacy or iveness thereof. US 6,734,141 states that this increase in effectiveness is occasioned specifically by a low surface tension and not necessarily by the spreading. The term "surface tension" is understood in the prior art to mean static surface tension. In the case of trisiloxanes, for example, static surface tension is about 20 to 25 mN/m.

WO1994022311 discloses superspreading compositions sing her-modified siloxanes which may have two groups of polyethers: firstly polyethers having exclusively oxyethylene groups, and secondly polyethers which, in addition to oxyethylene groups, may also have pylene groups. Experimental data are disclosed for modified siloxanes n the polyether residue contains exclusively ylene groups. These are known, for example, as SILWET L-77.

A disadvantage of the prior art is that none of the superspreading trisiloxanes are biodegradable. For environmental reasons in particular, ever greater value is being placed on environmentally friendly products, particularly in order to gain popular acceptance with t to chemical products in agriculture.

"Superspreading" in the context of the present invention is understood to mean that a 0.1 per cent by weight solution in water, after examination in accordance with ASTM E2044 – 99 (2012), has a diameter of spread of at least 35 mm. Preferably, a droplet of a 0.1 per cent by weight solution in water having a volume of 50 µm on a polypropylene film spreads to an area of at least 10 cm2. Preferably, the spread is ed at 25°C; preferably, the spread is determined at a relative air humidity of 60% and a pressure of 1013 mbar.

"Readily biodegradable" within the scope of the present invention describes degradability according to OECD Method 301F CD, preferably as described in the examples.

It was an object of the present invention to overcome at least one disadvantage of the state of the art.

It has been found that, surprisingly, compositions comprising her-modified siloxanes as described in the claims are both preading and readily biodegradable.

The present invention provides itions comprising polyether-modified siloxanes of formula (I) MaDbD' c Formula (I) with M = R13SiO 1/2 , D = R12SiO 2/2 , D‘ = R1R2SiO 2/2 , where a is 2 b is between 0 and 0.1, preferably 0, c is between 1.0 and 1.15, preferably between 1.0 and 1.10, especially preferably between 1.00 and 1.05, R1 are ndently hydrocarbyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl or phenyl radicals, especially preferably methyl radicals, R2 are independently a polyether l of the formula (II) -R3O[CH 2CH 2O] m[CH 2CH(CH 3)O] n R5 Formula (II) where m = 3.4 to 11.0, preferably 3.6 to 9.9, more ably 4.5 to 8.5, n = 2.5 to 8.0, preferably 2.7 to 7.5, more preferably 3.0 to 6.0, but with the provisos that: m/n = 1.9 to 2.8, R3 are independently divalent arbyl radicals having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably ethylene, propylene, 1-methylpropylene, 1,1-dimethylpropylene radical, especially preferably -CH 2CH 2CH 2-, R5 is hydrogen, the polyether-modified siloxanes of formula (I) having a biodegradability of greater than 60%, more preferably of greater than or equal to 63% and especially preferably of greater than or equal to 65%, the maximum value being 100%.

In a particular aspect, the t invention provides compositions comprising polyether-modified siloxanes of formula (I) MaDbD' c Formula (I) with M = R13SiO 1/2 , D = R12SiO 2/2 , D‘ = R1R2SiO 2/2 , where a is 2 b is between 0 and 0.1, c is between 1.0 and 1.15, R1 are independently hydrocarbyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R2 are independently a polyether radical of the a (II) -R3O[CH 2CH 2O] m[CH 2CH(CH 3)O] n R5 Formula (II) where the molar mass of the polyether radical M(PE) is greater than 520 g/mol and less than 660 g/mol, m = 3.4 to 11.0, n = 2.5 to 8.0, but with the provisos that: m/n = 1.9 to 2.8, R3 are independently divalent hydrocarbyl radicals having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, R5 is hydrogen, the polyether-modified siloxanes of formula (I) having a biodegradability of r than 60%, the maximum value being 100%.

Preferably, the polyether radical, calculated without R3O and calculated without R5, has a molar mass M (PE) calculated by 44 g/mol * m + 58 g/mol * n where the indices m and n relate to formula (II).

The red values of M (PE) are: lower limits M (PE) greater than 520 g/mol, ably greater than 530 g/mol, more preferably r than 535 g/mol; upper limit M (PE) less than 660 g/mol, preferably less than 630 g/mol, more preferably less than 600 g/mol.

[FOLLOWED BY PAGE 4a] Preferably, the value of M (PE) is greater than 520 g/mol and less than 660 g/mol, especially greater than 535 g/mol and less than 600 g/mol.

Preferably, the sum total of m + n is greater than 9 up to 19, more preferably greater than 9.5 up to 15 and especially preferably greater than 10 up to 12.

More preferably, the inventive compositions include the her-modified siloxanes of the formula (I) with an index c between 1 and 1.05, where the indices of the polyether radical of formula (II) are m from 3.4 to 11.0 and n from 2.5 to 8.0.

More preferably, the inventive compositions include the polyether-modified siloxanes of the formula (I) with an index c between 1 and 1.05, where the ratio m/n is 1.9 to 2.8. ally preferably, the inventive compositions include the polyether-modified siloxanes of the formula (I) with an index c n 1 and 1.05, where the molar mass of the polyether residue M(PE) is greater than 520 g/mol and less than 660 g/mol.

Especially preferably, the inventive compositions include the polyether-modified siloxanes of the a (I) with an index c between 1 and 1.05, where the R5 radical is hydrogen.

Especially preferably, the inventive compositions include the polyether-modified nes of the formula (I) with an index c between 1 and 1.05, where the molar mass of the her residue M(PE) is greater than 520 g/mol and less than 660 g/mol and the R5 radical is hydrogen.

Preferably, the inventive compositions do not include any further polyether-modified siloxanes apart from those of formula (I).

One advantage of the inventive compositions is that they have preading ties in water in the sense defined above. For this purpose, the area of a droplet on a polypropylene film is determined as described in detail in the examples.

Preferably, the ive compositions have, as a 0.1 per cent by weight solution in water, a spreading area of 10 to 60 cm2, preferably of 15 to 50 cm2 and more ably of 20 to 40 cm2. More preferably, the inventive compositions have the aforementioned spreads at a temperature of 25°C.

[FOLLOWED BY PAGE 5] Polyether-modified siloxanes of formula (I) in which index c is at least 1.2 are known according to US 6,734,141 as non-spreading compounds and are excluded from the present invention.

Preferably, the inventive compositions include the polyether-modified siloxanes of the formula (I) where the index d is 1.0 to 1.05 and a 0.1 per cent by weight solution of these siloxanes in water has a ing area of 15 to 60 cm2.

More preferably, the inventive compositions include the polyether-modified siloxanes of the formula (I) having an index c between 1 and 1.05, where the m/n ratio is 0.8 to 2.8 and a 0.1% by weight solution of these siloxanes in water has a ing area of 15 to 60 cm2.

A further advantage of the inventive compositions is their biodegradability.

Biodegradability is preferably determined by the OECD 301 F . More preferably, biodegradability is determined in accordance with OECD 301 F after 28 d at 22°C. Especially preferably, biodegradability is determined as bed in the examples.

Preferably, the her-modified siloxanes of formula (I) in the inventive compositions have a biodegradability of greater than 60%, further more preferably of greater than or equal to 63% and especially preferably of r than or equal to 65%, the maximum value being 100%.

Preferably, the inventive itions include the polyether-modified siloxanes of the formula (I) where the index d is 1.0 to 1.05 and biodegradability of the siloxanes is greater than 60%.

More preferably, the inventive compositions include the her-modified siloxanes of the formula (I) a biodegradability of greater than 60%, and the index c is additionally between 1 and 1.05, where the molar mass of the polyether radical M(PE) is greater than 520 g/mol and less than 660 g/mol and the R5 radical is hydrogen.

More preferably, the inventive itions include the polyether-modified nes of the formula (I) a biodegradability of greater than 60%, and the index c is additionally between 1 and 1.05, where the molar mass of the polyether radical M(PE) is greater than 520 g/mol and less than 660 g/mol, the R5 radical is hydrogen and a 0.1% by weight solution of these siloxanes in water has a spreading area of to 60 cm2.

Preferably, the ive compositions do not include any odegradable polyether-modified siloxanes.

The present invention further provides a process for producing polyether-modified siloxanes, in which, in a first step, an H-siloxane of the a (V) MaDbD' d (V) with M = R13SiO 1 1/2; D = R 2SiO 2/2 , D‘ = R1R2SiO 2/2 , where a is 2, b is between 0 and 0.1, d is n 1.16 and 3, R1 are independently hydrocarbyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl or phenyl radicals, especially preferably methyl radicals, R2 is en is purified and, in a second step, is reacted in the manner of a hydrosilylation with a terminally unsaturated polyether of the formula (VI) R4O[CH 2CH 2O] m[CH 2CH(CH 3)O] nR5 (VI) where m = 3.4 to 11.0, preferably 3.6 to 9.9, more preferably 4.5 to 8.5, n = 2.5 to 8.0, preferably 2.7 to 7.5, more preferably 3.0 to 6.0, but with the provisos that: m/n = 0.44 to 3.08, preferably 0.55 to 3.00, more preferably 0.8 to 2.8, especially preferably 1.9 to 2.8, R5 are each independently hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 16 carbon atoms or hydrogen, preferably hydrogen or methyl, ally hydrogen, R4 are independently monovalent terminally rated hydrocarbyl having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, ably CH2=CH 2-, CH2=CHCH 2-, CH2=CHCH(CH 3)-, CH2=CHC(CH 3)2, ally preferably CH 2=CHCH 2-.

In another particular aspect, the present invention provides a process for preparing polyether-modified siloxanes, in which, in a first step, an H-siloxane of the formula (V) MaDbD' d (V) with M = R13SiO 1 1/2; D = R 2SiO 2/2 , D‘ = R1R2SiO 2/2 , where a is 2, b is between 0 and 0.1, d is between 1.16 and 3, R1 are independently hydrocarbyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, [FOLLOWED BY PAGE 6a] R2 is hydrogen is purified and, in a second step, is d in the manner of a hydrosilylation with a terminally unsaturated polyether of the formula (VI) R4O[CH 5 2CH 2O] m[CH 2CH (CH 3)O] nR (VI) where m = 3.4 to 11.0, n = 2.5 to 8.0, but with the provisos that: m/n = 1.9 to 2.8, R5 are each independently hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 16 carbon atoms or hydrogen, R4 are independently monovalent terminally unsaturated hydrocarbyl having 2 to 8 carbon atoms.

Preferably, the H-siloxane of formula (V) is purified in the first step of the process according to the invention by subjecting the xane to a suitable thermal separation process. Thermal separation processes are known by this term to those skilled in the art and include all processes based on the establishment of a thermodynamic phase equilibrium. Preferred thermal separation processes are selected from the list comprising distillation, ication, adsorption, crystallization, tion, absorption, drying and freezing-out, particular preference being given to methods of distillation and rectification. Particular preference is given to distillation and rectification under standard pressure.

Especially preferred is distillation and rectification at standard re for the compounds of the formula (V) with R2 = hydrogen and the s a and b = zero and d = 1.16 to 1.22 at a top temperature of 142°C under standard pressure for purification of the product. ably, in the process according to the invention, no H-siloxanes of the a (V) which have been subjected to any separation process other than a thermal separation process are employed.

[FOLLOWED BY PAGE 7] The index d of the nds of the formula (V) can be determined by prior art methods, preferably with the aid of 1H NMR oscopy, more preferably by the method as described in the examples.

The hydrosilylation reaction in the process ing to the invention is preferably catalysed with the aid of the platinum group catalysts familiar to those skilled in the art, more preferably with the aid of Karstedt catalysts.

The hydrosilylation on in the process according to the invention is preferably t to a full conversion in relation to the hydrogen content of the H-siloxane of the formula (V). In the context of the present invention, full conversion is understood to mean that the conversion of SiH functions is > 99%.

This is detected in a manner familiar to those skilled in the art, preferably by gas-volumetric means after alkaline breakdown. This can be done, for example, by reacting a sample of the reaction mixture with a butanolic sodium butoxide solution (w (sodium butoxide) = 5%) and concluding the amount of SiH functions still present from the amount of hydrogen formed.

The polyethers of the formula (VI) and the polyethers of the formula (II) may have a statistical construction. Statistical distributions are of blockwise construction with any desired number of blocks and with any desired sequence or are subject to a randomized distribution; they may also have an alternating construction or else form a gradient over the chain; more particularly they can also form any mixed forms in which groups with different distributions may optionally follow one another. Specific executions may result in restriction of the tical distributions by virtue of the ion. For all ranges which are not affected by the restriction, there is no change in the statistical distribution.

Further preferably, it is also true of the polyethers of the formula (VI) in the process ing to the invention that the polyether radical of formula (VI), ated t R4O and calculated without R5, has a molar mass M (PE) calculated by 44 g/mol * m + 58 g/mol * n where the s m and n are as defined for formula (II).

The preferred values for M (PE) are: lower limits for M (PE) greater than 520 g/mol, preferably greater than 530 g/mol, more preferably greater than 535 g/mol; upper limits for M (PE) less than 660 g/mol, preferably less than 630 g/mol. More preferably less than 600 g/mol.

Preferably, the value of M (PE) is greater than 520 g/mol and less than 660 g/mol, especially greater than 535 g/mol and less than 600 g/mol.

Preferably, the sum total of m + n is r than 9 up to 19, more preferably greater than 9.5 up to 15 and especially preferably greater than 10 up to 12.

More preferably, R5 is hydrogen and the value of M (PE) is r than 520 g/mol and less than 660 g/mol; especially preferably, R5 is hydrogen and the value of M (PE) is greater than 535 g/mol and less than 600 g/mol.

More preferably, the inventive H-siloxanes of the a (V) have an index d between 1 and 1.05 and are reacted with terminally unsaturated polyethers of the formula (VI), where the indices m are from 3.4 to 11.0 and n from 2.5 to 8.0.

More preferably, the inventive H-siloxanes of the formula (V) have an index d between 1 and 1.05 and are reacted with terminally unsaturated polyethers of the formula (VI), where the m/n ratio is 0.8 to 2.8.

More preferably, the inventive H-siloxanes of the a (V) have an index d between 1 and 1.05 and are reacted with terminally unsaturated polyethers of the formula (VI), where the m/n ratio is 1.9 to 2.8.

Especially preferably, the inventive H-siloxanes of the formula (V) have an index d between 1 and 1.05 and are reacted with ally unsaturated polyethers of the formula (VI), where the molar mass of the polyether radical M(PE) is greater than 520 g/mol and less than 660 g/mol.

Especially preferably, the inventive H-siloxanes of the formula (V) have an index d between 1 and 1.05 and are d with terminally unsaturated polyethers of the formula (VI), where the R5 radical is hydrogen.

Especially preferably, the inventive H-siloxanes of the formula (V) have an index d between 1 and 1.05 and are reacted with terminally unsaturated polyethers of the formula (VI), where the molar mass of the polyether l M(PE) is greater than 520 g/mol and less than 660 g/mol and the R5 radical is hydrogen.

Especially preferably, the inventive H-siloxanes of the formula (V) have an index d between 1 and 1.05 and are reacted with terminally unsaturated polyethers of the formula (VI), where the R5 radical is hydrogen and where the m/n ratio is 1.9 to 2.8.

Preferably, the products of the process according to the ion do not include any further polyethermodified siloxanes that do not correspond to the products of the process according to the ion.

The inventive itions can be ed by the prior art methods, but preferably by the process according to the ion.

The present invention further provides for the use of the inventive compositions and/or of the inventive process products as adjuvant in crop protection.

The inventive adjuvant is suitable with all crop tion compositions for all plants. Advantageously, the adjuvant is used together with herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, growth regulators and macro- and utrients (fertilizers), preferably with herbicides. The crop protection compositions and fertilizers may be either of synthetic origin or of biological and natural .

The inventive itions may include further ents. These further components may be selected from herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, growth regulators and fertilizers, preferably herbicides. Preferred fertilizers are macro- and micronutrients. 9 2016/062134 Preferably, the inventive compositions are used as a tankmix additive for spray s. red use concentrations here are between 0.001% and 1% by volume, preferably between 0.01% and 0.5% by volume and more ably between 0.02% and 0.15% by volume (also corresponding to about 0.1% by weight) of the spray liquor. This is equivalent to 10 to 3000 ml/ha when typically 100 to 1000 l of spray liquor per ha are deployed, and preferably an amount of nt of 50 to 700 ml/ha, which are also added by the respective amounts of spray liquor irrespective of the total water application rate per Active substances are those which are approved and/or registered and/or listed in the individual countries for use on plants and crops in order to protect plants against damage, or to prevent yield loss as the result of pests or the like in a crop, or to ate undesirable accompanying flora, such as broad-leaved weeds and/or grass weeds, or to supply the plants with nutrients (also termed fertilizers).

Active substances may be synthetic substances or else ical substances. Active substances may also be extracts, or natural substances, or nistically active sms. They are usually also referred to as pesticides or plant protection agents. In general, active substances are incorporated into formulations for handling and efficiency purposes.

For use on plants or plant parts, crop protection composition ations are usually diluted with water before the standard spraying through nozzles, and contain not only the active component but also other adjuvants such as emulsifiers, dispersing aids, antifrost agents, antifoams, biocides and surfaceactive substances such as surfactants. Active substances, especially fungicides, insecticides and nutrients, alone or in ation and having been provided with the other auxiliaries ied above, can also be applied to seeds (seed) of plants by various methods. Such methods are also referred to as seed treatment methods. The treatment of seed with fungicides and insecticides can protect plants in the early stage of growth from diseases and attack by insects.

The inventive compositions comprising the polyether-substituted siloxanes of the a (I), the process according to the invention and the inventive use of the compositions and/or process products are described by way of example hereinafter, without any intention that the invention be restricted to these illustrative embodiments. If ranges, general formulae or compound classes are specified hereinafter, this shall encompass not only the corresponding ranges or groups of compounds that are explicitly ned, but also all sub-ranges and oups of compounds which can be obtained by extracting individual values (ranges) or compounds. Where documents are cited in the context of the present description, it is intended that their content shall form a full part of the disclosure content of the present invention. Where percentages are given below, they are percentages in % by weight unless stated otherwise. In the case of compositions, the % figures, unless otherwise indicated, are based on the overall composition. Where e values are reported below, the averages in question are mass averages (weight averages), unless ise indicated. Where measurement values are reported above and below, these measurement values, unless stated otherwise, have been determined under a pressure of 101 325 Pa (standard pressure) and at a temperature at 25°C.

General methods and materials: Trade name Silwet L-77 Product and trademark of Momentive Silwet 806 Product and trademark of Momentive THRU S 240 Product and ark of Evonik Degussa GmbH, Germany BREAK-THRU S 278 Product and trademark of Evonik Degussa GmbH, Germany BREAK-THRU S 233 Product and trademark of Evonik Degussa GmbH, Germany Sylgard 309 Product and trademark of Dow Corning, USA Synthesis Preparation of Me3SiO[SiMeHO] cSiMe 3 An SiH-functional siloxane of the general formula Me 3SiO[SiMeHO] 1.2 SiMe 3 was subjected to a fractional distillation under standard pressure. The fraction at a top temperature of 142°C was determined with the aid of a gas chromatograph to be the product having a purity of 99% by weight of 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxane. Thus, the product of the formula (V) has an index d of 1.01.

Subsequently, the distillate and the starting siloxane were mixed in such a way as to obtain the ing siloxanes: Me3SiO[SiMeHO] 1.2 SiMe 3, Me3SiO[SiMeHO] 1.15 SiMe 3, Me3SiO[SiMeHO] 1.10 SiMe 3, Me 3SiO[SiMeHO] 1.05 SiMe 3 and Me3SiO[SiMeHO] 1.01 SiMe 3.

The determination of purity was conducted with the aid of 1H NMR and 29 Si spectroscopy. These methods, ally taking t of the multiplicity of the couplings, are familiar to those skilled in the art.

With the aid of these siloxanes, 21 s were produced analogously to the general preparation method which follows.

General synthesis method for hydrosilylation: A 1000 ml three-neck flask equipped with r and reflux condenser was initially charged with 0.5 mol of a polyether of the general formula CH2=CHCH 5 2O[CH 2CH 2O] m[CH 2CH(CH 3)O] nR and heated to 90°C. Subsequently, 10 ppm of Pt were added in the form of a toluenic solution of the Karstedt catalyst (Pt content 2 mol%). The mixture was stirred for 10 min and then 0.38 mol of SiH groups in the form of the nctional siloxane Me3SiO[SiMeHO] cSiMe 3 was added dropwise within 15 min. An exothermic reaction was observed; the reaction mixture was stirred at 90°C for a further 4 h. In all cases, it was no longer possible to detect any SiH functions by gas-volumetric means. ? 12 Table 1: Samples prepared; the R5, c, m, n, M (PE) and m/n data relate to formula (I) and, respectively, to a (II); in the cases when n = 0, m/n is undefined and consequently not stated: Sample R5 c m n M (PE) m/n Tego XP 11022 H 1.00 8.0 3.3 543 2.45 Sample 1 H 1.01 7.8 0.0 343 --- Sample 2 H 1.20 6.0 3.0 438 1.98 Sample 3 H 1.01 10.0 0.0 440 -- Sample 4 Me 1.01 7.8 0.0 343 -- Sample 5 H 1.20 9.9 1.9 545 5.27 Sample 6 H 1.01 14.6 0.0 642 -- Sample 7 Me 1.01 12.3 0.0 541 -- Sample 8 H 1.01 12.3 0.0 541 -- Sample 9 H 1.01 9.9 1.9 546 5.27 Sample 10 H 1.01 8.0 3.3 543 2.45 Sample 11 H 1.01 6.2 4.7 545 1.32 Sample 12 H 1.01 4.9 5.6 540 0.88 Sample 13 H 1.01 3.4 10.2 741 0.33 Sample 14’ H 1.01 10.7 8.1 941 1.32 Sample 15’ H 1.01 14.4 7.0 1040 2.06 Sample 16’ H 1.05 8.0 3.3 543 2.45 Sample 17’ H 1.10 8.0 3.3 543 2.45 Sample 18 H 1.15 8.0 3.3 543 2.45 Sample 19 H 1.20 9.2 4.1 643 2.24 Sample 20 H 1.20 3.4 10.2 741 0.33 Sample 21 H 1.20 10.7 8.1 941 1.32 WO 02564 13 Samples 2, 5, 19, 20 and 21 are entive polyether siloxanes since the index c is too high.

Samples 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 are noninventive since the index n is zero. Samples 5 and 9 are noninventive e the content of oxyethylene groups is too low.

Test solutions: 0.1% by weight ons of the test substances in distilled water were made up.

Spreading test Spreading was examined by applying a 50 µl droplet of the test solutions to a standard polypropylene film (of the Forco-OPPB type, from Van Leer). The droplet was applied with a micropipette. The area of spread was measured 90 seconds after the application. The experiments were conducted at 23°C and a relative air humidity of 60%.

Surface tensions Surface tensions were measured by the Wilhelmy plate method with a Kruss K 12 tensiometer at 25°C.

OECD biodegradability Biodegradability was determined in accordance with OECD Method 301F by manometric respirometry at a temperature of 22°C ± 1°C. The degradation rate was determined within 28 days. The samples had been analysed in a concentration of 100 mg/l and 28 mg/l both against a zero sample al ) and against a sodium benzoate solution of equal concentration. The values were recorded both after 14 days and after 28 days. After 14 days, no plateau phase had been reached yet. The sewage sludge samples used came from the sewage treatment plant belonging to the Ruhrverband water company, Sunthelle 6, 57392 Schmallenberg on 16 September 2014. The concentration used was 29.6 mg of dry matter per litre of mineral ; the pH was determined before the start of the experiments to be 7.4 ± 0.2.

Results of the interfacial activity study: ative substances used for some commercial products, and substances according to US 6,734,141.

Surfactant B: Me3SiO-[MeR'SiO] 1.20 -OSiMe 3 , with R'= –(CH2)3-O-(CH 2CH 2O-)10 (CH 2CH(CH 3)O-)2-H Surfactant C:Me3SiO-[MeR'SiO] 1.00 -OSiMe 3 , with R'= –(CH2)3-O-(CH 2CH 2O-)20 (CH 2CH(CH 3)O-)5-H Surfactant D: Me3SiO-[MeR'SiO] 1.00 -OSiMe 3 , with R'= –(CH2)3-O-(CH 2CH 2O-)12.5 –H THRU S 233: -[MeR'SiO] 1.20 -OSiMe 3, with R'= –(CH2)3-O-(CH 2CH 2O-)9.9 (CH 2CH(CH 3)O-)1.9-H BREAK-THRU S 240: Me3SiO-[MeR'SiO] 1.20 -OSiMe 3 with R'= –(CH2)3-O-(CH 2CH 2O-)6 (CH 2CH(CH 3)O- )3-H BREAK-THRU S 278: Me3SiO-[MeR'SiO] 1.20 -OSiMe 3 with R'= –(CH2)3-O-(CH 2CH 2O-)7.8 -Me SILWET L77: Me 3SiO-[MeR'SiO]-OSiMe 3 with R'= –(CH2)3-O-(CH 2CH 2O-)8 –Me ? 15 Adjuvant Static surface tension Spread Biodegradable [mN/m] diameter [mm] Tego XP 11022 22.9 70 yes Sample 1 21.6 no Sample 2 21.7 no Sample 3 21.6 53 no Sample 4 22.0 70 no Sample 5 21.4 15 Sample 6 22.8 15 Sample 7 22.7 15 no Sample 8 22.7 15 yes Sample 9 21.9 30 Sample 10 21.4 70 yes Sample 11 22.3 80 Sample 12 22.2 75 Sample 13 16 Sample 14’ 15 Sample 15’ 26.8 11 Sample 16’ 21.7 60 yes Sample 17’ 21.7 60 yes Sample 18 22.0 53 yes Sample 19 23.5 16 Sample 20 34.8 12 Sample 21 25.3 12 Surfactant B 24.1 14 Surfactant C 28.2 10 Surfactant D 23.8 13 BREAK-THRU S 240 22.3 70 THRU S 278 22.0 70 BREAK-THRU S 233 21.4 15 Silwet 806 23.5 70 Silwet L77 23.8 80 Silguard 309 23.0 80 l superspreaders show a spread diameter in this test of 35 mm or more.

It is found that biodegradable superspreaders have a very defined structure.

WO 02564 16 The polyether has to have a n molar mass, but must not be too heavy either. In addition, the polyether has to have a certain number of [CH2CH(CH 3)O] groups, but a n ratio between [CH 2CH(CH 3)O] and [CH2CH 3O] groups still has to be maintained. Furthermore, the siloxane must may not be too inhomogeneous.

The results show the advantageous use of the inventive substances.

Biodegradability s: Adjuvant Biodegradability [%] Sample 8 60% Sample 10 66% Sample 1 < 60% Sample 2 < 60% Sample 7 7% Sample 3 < 60% The results show the easy biodegradability of the inventive substances.

Greenhouse ments to determine the improvement in biological efficacy of a herbicide In a greenhouse, common meadowgrass (Poa pratense) was grown in pots. As soon as the plants had reached a height of about 5 to 7 cm, they were sprayed with spray liquor that contained the herbicide Cato® (DuPont, Germany, active ingredient: rimsulfuron, concentration: 250 g of active ingredient/kg).

The amount of spray that contained the active ingredient corresponded to 200 l/ha. Various adjuvants were added to the spray liquor. For each element of the experiment there were 3 pots that were treated in the same way. The pesticide dosage was 10 g/ha. Commercial standard wetting agents added to the tank were Break-Thru S240 and trisiloxane BREAK-THRU S233, each at 50 ml/ha. The dosage of Tego XP 11022 was 100 ml/ha. The damage to the plants by the herbicide treatment is compared here to ted plants and the efficacy of the sprayed treatment is expressed as a ratio to the untreated plants. The efficacy was scored in each of the 3 pots per element of the experiment by methods known to those skilled in the art 14 and 28 days after the treatment. The average was ated and reported as results in the table as a percentage compared to the control without herbicide treatment.

WO 02564 17 Herbicide Adjuvant 14 d 28 d Cato, 10 ml/ha none 50% 74% Cato, 10 ml/ha Tego XP 11022, 100 ml/ha 70% 94% Cato, 10 ml/ha BREAK-THRU S240, 50 g/ha 60% 84% Cato, 10 ml/ha THRU S233, 50 g/ha 50% 83% The results show that the inventive composition brought a distinct increase in action compared to herbicide treatment without wetting agent. The advantageous use of the inventive compositions compared to the prior art is shown by this experiment.

Claims (1)

Claims

1. itions sing polyether-modified nes of formula (I) MaDbD' c Formula (I) 5 with M = R13SiO