HK1061775B - Microemulsifiable agrochemical concentrate - Google Patents

Description

Micro-emulsifiable agrochemical concentrates

Technical Field

The present invention relates to liquid agrochemical compositions for applying agriculturally active compounds to plants, pests or the locus thereof. The invention particularly relates to liquid compositions in the form of microemulsions or preconcentrates of agriculturally active compounds, the preparation of said compositions and methods of using said compositions to combat pests or as plant growth regulators.

Background

When an agriculturally active compound (agrochemical) is relatively water soluble, it is no problem to prepare, store and transport it in a commercially acceptable form. However, many agrochemicals are hydrophobic and it is often difficult for formulators to find a suitable method of preparing these materials as stable formulations, so that the end user can obtain the maximum concentration of active ingredient per volume. One such method is to prepare dry formulations such as water dispersible granules (WDG's) or wettable powders (WP's) encapsulated in water soluble pouches or containers. Although such dry formulations are attractive from both a delivery rate, and from handling and/or worker safety standpoint, not all hydrophobic agrochemicals can be formulated as dry formulations.

The simplest way to prepare concentrated liquid formulations with poorly water soluble agrochemicals is by using aromatic organic solvent systems. In the system, an aromatic organic solvent such as xylene or kerosene is used to solubilize the agrochemical.

Surfactants are typically added to agrochemical-solvent compositions to form emulsifiable concentrates. Surfactant-emulsifiers interact with agrochemicals in a variety of ways before or during actual use, i.e., application to the site. Surfactants are initially capable of dispersing and/or emulsifying agrochemicals in a solvent or inert carrier matrix, and, for example, in the case of herbicides, the surfactant component may also act as a penetrant, spreader, sticker, stabilizer, and wetting agent. The surfactant component can affect the drying rate at which the droplets fall onto the plant and the nature of the residual liquid or crystals. Surfactants can also affect the weatherability (weather) of agrochemicals, including their rewettability and rain resistance.

The volatile organic compounds present in these formulations, together with the surfactants, stabilize the emulsifiable agrochemical concentrates (EC's) to be prepared. Although the emulsifiable concentrate formulations have and continue to play a major role in the agrochemical market, they have a significant disadvantage in that the formulations are generally based on the use of large amounts of highly volatile organic solvents. Some of these highly volatile organic compounds are not entirely satisfactory; especially in view of its ecological and toxicological properties. An additional property that is becoming increasingly important in the agrochemical market is the reduction of eye irritation as measured by published U.S. environmental protection agency regulations.

Microemulsion (ME) technology has been investigated as one possible approach to address the above-mentioned disadvantages of agrochemical emulsifiable concentrate formulations. Microemulsions are generally characterized by particle sizes in the range of 3-10 nm. The small particle size makes the emulsion more stable than the emulsifiable concentrate formulation. These systems have proven particularly useful for various purposes such as surface cleaners, coating compositions, lubricating oil recovery systems, cosmetics, drug delivery formulations, and agrochemical formulations. The desired properties of these compositions vary significantly depending on the intended application, but all have the advantage of limited use of undesired solvents and the formation of a very stable emulsified form.

There remains a need for microemulsifiable agrochemical concentrates having the following properties: suitable for a wide range of agriculturally active ingredients, has high biological activity in target applications, good chemical and physical stability under harsh conditions likely to be encountered in the market, good ecological and toxicological properties, exhibits reduced eye irritation and is readily diluted with water to form microemulsions.

Summary of The Invention

It has been found that the combination of (a) an alkyl alkanoate with (B) a polyhydric alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol condensate or a mixture thereof and (C) at least one surfactant is a very advantageous system for a micro-emulsifiable hydrophobic agrochemical concentrate; the novel compositions are storage stable, easy to apply, ecologically and toxicologically favorable and are useful as agrochemical compositions having good biological efficacy in target applications when diluted with water.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a micro-emulsifiable, storage-stable, liquid agrochemical concentrate comprising a hydrophobic agrochemical or agrochemical mixture dissolved in a solvent mixture comprising an alkyl alkanoate and a polyhydric alcohol, polyhydric alcohol condensate or mixture thereof, and at least one hydrophilic (hydrophyllic) surfactant. The hydrophobic agrochemical or agrochemical mixture, solvent mixture and hydrophilic surfactant are in relative proportions such that when the concentrate is diluted with a sufficient amount of water, a stable oil-in-water microemulsion is naturally formed. The microemulsifiable concentrates of the present invention exhibit reduced eye irritation and, in preferred embodiments, meet the requirements of the Caution Signal Word (marker code) set forth in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations of 9.2000. This marker classification is particularly important for products in the agrochemical market. In a preferred embodiment, the microemulsifiable concentrates (MECs) and the corresponding microemulsions formed therefrom are substantially clear. In another preferred embodiment, the MEC and corresponding microemulsion are substantially tasteless. In a highly preferred embodiment, the MEC and corresponding microemulsion are substantially clear, odorless and meet or exceed the requirements of "resolution signal Word".

Detailed Description

The present invention provides a micro-emulsifiable agrochemical concentrate ('MEC') which forms a stable oil-in-water microemulsion when the product is diluted with a sufficient amount of water, particularly suitable for treating plants, the composition comprising:

(a) a hydrophobic agrochemical or a mixture of hydrophobic agrochemicals,

(b) (i) a first solvent-alkyl alkanoate;

(ii) a second solvent-polyhydric alcohol, polyhydric alcohol condensate, or a mixture thereof; and

(c) at least one surfactant;

the relative proportions of components (a), (b), (c) are such that upon dilution of the concentrate with a sufficient amount of water a stable oil-in-water microemulsion is naturally formed.

The term "agrochemical" as used herein means a chemical substance, either natural or synthetically obtained, which is applied to a plant, pest or locus thereof and as a result exhibits a desired biological activity. The term "bioactive" as used herein means causing a stimulating, inhibiting, regulating, treating, toxic or lethal response to a plant or pest present in or on a plant, such as a pathogenic bacterium, parasite or feeding organism, or causing said response at the plant, pest site or building. The term "plant" includes, but is not limited to, all food, fiber, forage and forage crops (before and after harvesting, sowing and seed treatment), trees, turf and ornamentals. Examples of agrochemicals include, but are not limited to, chemical pesticides (such as herbicides, algicides, fungicides, bactericides, viricides, insecticides, miticides, acaricides, nematicides and molluscicides), herbicide safeners, plant growth regulators, fertilizers and nutrients, gametocides, defoliants, desiccants, mixtures thereof and the like.

With reference to the term "agrochemical", the term "hydrophobic" as used in this specification means not soluble in water in significant amounts, more particularly not more than about 2% w/v, more preferably not more than about 1% w/v, water solubility at 25 ℃.

The term "surfactant" as used herein means a chemical substance that provides foaming, wetting, dispersing and emulsifying properties and that acts as a surfactant, being cationic, anionic, nonionic or amphoteric.

Examples of suitable alkyl alkanoate solvents (b) (i) include C_1-4Alkanecarboxylic acid C₆-C₁₃Alkyl esters such as oxo-hexyl, oxo-heptyl, oxo-octyl, oxo-2-ethyl-hexyl, oxo-nonyl, oxo-decyl, oxo-dodecyl and oxo-tridecyl esters of formate, acetate, propionate and butyrate; preference is given to acetic acid C₆-C₁₃An alkyl ester. These materials are generally commercially available or readily prepared by one of ordinary skill in the art. Many of the above alkyl acetates are commercially available. Particularly advantageous acetic acid C₆-C₁₃Alkyl esters are available from Exxon Mobil Corporation under the trade name "Exxate".

Suitable polyhydric alcohols and polyhydric alcohol condensates (b) (ii) include propylene glycol; dipropylene glycol; poly C_2-6Alkylene glycols and derivatives, preferably poly C_2-6Alkylene glycols and derivatives such as polypropylene glycol [ molecular weight 2000-4000-]Polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycols, polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene glycols, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol [ molecular weight 200-]Methoxypolyethylene glycol 350, 550, 750, 2000, 5000; glycerol; ethoxylated glycerol; propoxylated glycerol; sugar alcohols and alkoxylated derivatives thereof, e.g. xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, ethoxylated sorbitol, hydroxypropyl sorbitol(ii) a Triacetin; hexanediol (2-methyl-2, 4-pentanediol); 1, 3-butanediol; 1, 2, 6-hexanetriol; culicin USP (2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol); c₁₅-C₁₈Vicinal diols and trimethylolpropane polyoxypropylene derivatives, aliphatic diols with short chains up to 7 carbon atoms, preferably up to 4 carbon atoms, and glycerol.

In one embodiment of the invention, the MEC comprises, in addition to a mixture of first and second solvents (b) (i) an alkyl alkanoate and (b) (ii) a polyhydric alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol condensate or a mixture thereof, another component (b) (iii) a water miscible solvent.

Suitable water-miscible solvents (b) (iii) include tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, γ -butyrolactone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, tetramethylurea, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-dimethylacetamide and dimethylformamide; tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, γ -butyrolactone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, triethyl phosphate and propylene carbonate are preferred.

The surfactant (c) may be a single surfactant, but in a preferred embodiment a mixture of surfactants is most advantageous, comprising: a first cationic surfactant (c) (i) and a second nonionic surfactant (c) (ii). Both the first and second surfactant components may be comprised of one or more desired types of surfactants, as desired.

Examples of the surfactant are as follows:

(c) (i) a cationic surfactant selected from one or more poly (C)_2-4Alkoxylation of C_14-20Group of fatty amines, preferably poly C_2-4Alkoxylation of C_12-18Aliphatic amines, most preferably poly C_2-4Alkoxylated tallow amine. Poly C of this component_2-4The alkoxylated moiety is preferably present in 2 to 8 (more preferably 2 to 5) repeating units per molecule or a poly C of this component_2-4The alkoxylated moiety is preferably present in about 14 to 18 (more preferably about 16) repeat units per molecule or more preferably is- [ EO]_2-20-; and mixtures thereof. Particularly useful amine compounds include ToximulsSuch as TA-2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9, -10, -11, -12, -13, -14, -15, -16, -17, -18, -19 and-20 (Stepan); and mixtures thereof. Other suitable cationic surfactants include fatty acid alkanolamides such as witcamides (witco).

(c) (ii) the nonionic surfactant is selected from (1) poly C_2-4Mono C of alkylene oxide block copolymers_2-6An alkyl ether having at least a first region of polyalkylene oxide blocks and a second region of polyalkylene oxide blocks, wherein the polyalkylene oxide in said first region is different from the polyalkylene oxide in the second region. C of alkylene oxide block copolymer is preferred_2-6The alkyl ether moiety being C_3-5Alkyl ethers, more preferably C₄An alkyl ether. It is also preferred that the alkylene oxide block copolymer moiety is an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer. Preferably, the ethylene oxide moieties comprise from about 10 to 90 mole percent, preferably from about 25 to 75 mole percent, of the block copolymer. Particularly preferred materials are available from Witco under the trade name NS-500 LQ; (2) castor oil and Poly C_2-4Condensates of alkylene oxides. Preferably, the alkylene oxide moiety is ethylene oxide. Preferably, the degree of alkoxylation is from about 10 to about 100 moles of alkylene oxide per mole of castor oil, more preferably from about 20 to about 70 moles of alkylene oxide per mole of castor oil. Particularly preferred alkoxylated castor oils are available from Witco under the trade name C0360; (3) c_12-24Fatty acids and poly C_2-4Mono-or di-esters of alkylene oxides, in which the fatty acid groups may be the same or different. When two fatty acid radicals are present, it is preferred that the fatty acid radicals are the same. It is also preferred that the fatty acid radical is C_12-20Fatty acid radical, more preferably C_12-18Fatty acid groups, most preferably lauroyl, oleyl, caprylic or myristoleic acid groups. In addition, poly C_2-4The alkylene oxide moiety is preferably a polyethoxy group, and poly C_2-4The number of alkylene oxide groups in the alkylene oxide moiety is preferably from about 2 to about 40 repeat units. Particularly preferred such agents include Kessco PEG 400dl (stepan) and Emerest2620 (Cognis).

In one embodiment of the invention, the MEC comprises as a further component, in addition to the mixture of first and second surfactants (c) (i) and (c) (ii), an anionic surfactant (c) (iii).

Suitable anionic surfactants (C) (iii) include poly (oxy-1, 2-ethanediyl) -alpha-C_10-15Alkyl-omega-hydroxy phosphates or sulphates and/or C_10-13Alkyl benzene sulfonic acid. Preferably poly (oxy-1, 2-ethanediyl) -alpha-C_10-15The alkyl- ω -hydroxy phosphate or sulfate is poly (oxy-1, 2-ethanediyl) - α -tridecyl- ω -hydroxy phosphate or sulfate. And the (oxy-1, 2-ethanediyl) portion of this compound is present in about 3 to 9, preferably about 6, repeat units per molecule. Suitable for poly (oxy-1, 2-ethanediyl) -alpha-C_10-15The compound of alkyl- ω -hydroxy phosphate is commercially available as Stepfac 8181 (Stepan). Suitably C_10-13The alkylbenzene sulfonic compound was Biosoft S-100 (Stepan). Further suitable anionic surfactants include phosphate and sulfate derivatives of ethoxylated alkylphenols such as- [ EO]_2-20Di-and tristyrylphenols, nonylphenols, dinonylphenols and octylphenols.

Although a salt of a phosphate or sulfate is desirable, the salt may be a salt with any base, provided that the base is not incompatible with all other ingredients, including agrochemicals. Particularly suitable are alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonia or organic amine salts of phosphates such as morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, mono-, di-or tri-lower alkylamines, for example ethyl-, diethyl-, triethyl-or dimethyl-propylamine, or mono-, di-or tri-hydroxy-lower alkylamines, for example mono-, di-or tri-ethanolamine.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, component (C) comprises (C) (i) a poly C_2-4Alkoxylated fatty amine and (C) (iii) C_9-17Alkyl- (OCH)₂CH₂)_n-O-phosphate. Advantageously, the pH of the MEC can be optimized to suit a particular agrochemical by adjusting the ratio and amount of (c) (i) cationic and (c) (iii) anionic surfactants. Other cationic surfactants may also be added to the mixture as necessary.

In another particularly preferred embodiment, component (c) (ii) comprisesWith castor oil and poly C_2-4A condensate of an alkylene oxide; poly C_2-4Mono C of alkylene oxide block copolymers_2-6An alkyl ether comprising at least one polyalkylene oxide block first region and one polyalkylene oxide block second region, wherein the polyalkylene oxide in said first region is different from the polyalkylene oxide in the second region; and C_12-24Fatty acids and poly C_2-4Mono-or di-esters of alkylene oxides, in which the fatty acid groups may be the same or different. Other nonionic surfactants may also be added as necessary.

In a most preferred embodiment, component (C) comprises (C) (i) a poly C_2-4Alkoxylated fatty amines, (C) (ii) castor oil and poly C_2-4A condensate of an alkylene oxide; poly C_2-4Mono C of alkylene oxide block copolymers_2-6An alkyl ether having at least one polyalkylene oxide block first region and one polyalkylene oxide block second region, wherein the polyalkylene oxide in said first region is different from the polyalkylene oxide in said second region; and C_12-24Fatty acids and poly C_2-4Mono-and di-esters of alkylene oxides, in which the fatty acid groups may be the same or different, and (C) (iii) C_9-17Alkyl- (OCH)₂CH₂)_n-O-phosphate.

In all cases, when referring to polyalkylene, unless otherwise indicated, the number of alkylene oxide repeat units in the molecule may be up to about 110, preferably up to about 50, more preferably from about 2 to about 40. Preferred alkylene oxide groups in the alkylene oxide chain are-O-C (R) -, wherein each R is independently hydrogen, or an alkyl group containing sufficient carbon atoms so that the total of all R groups and all of the 2 backbone carbons is in an amount to satisfy the carbon requirements of the particular alkylene group mentioned above in each such repeat unit. Thus, a propylene oxide group preferably contains one R group such as methyl, while a butylene oxide group preferably has one R group such as ethyl or two R groups such as methyl (which may or may not be on the same carbon atom). Unless otherwise indicated, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide are preferred alkylene oxides.

As described above, the organic solvent mixture (b) dissolving the agricultural chemical is a mixture of at least two solvents. The first solvent is (b) (i) an alkyl alkanoate. The second solvent is (b) (ii) a polyhydric alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol condensate, or a mixture thereof. Optionally, a water-miscible solvent (b) (iii) may also be used. Additional water-immiscible solvent (b) (iv) may sometimes be included in minor amounts as required for formulation of the other components without departing from the spirit of the invention; however, the use of additional water-immiscible solvent (b) (iv) is not essential.

Suitable additional water-immiscible solvents (b) (iv) in which the agrochemical is soluble which may be used in small amounts are mixtures of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons such as hexane, cyclohexane, benzene, toluene, xylene, mineral oil or kerosene, substituted naphthalenes, mono-and polyalkylated aromatic hydrocarbons sold under the trade names SOLVESSO and SHELLSOL and PETROL SPEZIAL, halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform and o-dichlorobenzene; phthalic acid esters such as dibutyl phthalate and dioctyl phthalate; ethers and esters, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether, fatty acid esters; such as cyclohexanone; higher alcohols such as hexanol and octanol; vegetable oils such as castor oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, and possibly methyl esters thereof; and epoxidized coconut oil or soybean oil.

The MECs of the present invention are generally characterized by a density of about 0.9-1.1 g/ml; a viscosity of about 20 to 300cps at 25 ℃ as measured using, for example, a Brookfield viscometer with spindle (spindles)1-3 of 30 rpm; and a pH of about 3-8. Microemulsion droplets have a particle size of about 20-300 nm.

Suitable hydrophobic agrochemicals are alkyl alkanoate-polyhydric alcohol mixtures which are substantially water insoluble (solubility typically not more than about 2% w/v, more preferably not more than about 1% w/v at 25 ℃) but which are soluble alone or optionally in combination with a water miscible solvent. Agrochemicals include, but are not limited to, pesticides. Pesticides include, but are not limited to, herbicides, insecticides, acaricides, mangeticides, nematicides, ectoparasiticides, fungicides, bactericides, algicides, and plant growth regulators. With respect to their chemical constitution, these agrochemicals may belong to a wide range of compound classes. Examples of compound classes to which suitable agrochemicals may belong are: acylalanines, haloacetanilides, triazole derivatives, phosphates, pyrethroids, benzilic acid esters, polycyclic halohydrocarbons, diphenyl ether derivatives, formamidines, strobilurines, aryloxyphenoxy-alkanoic acid derivatives. Examples of suitable individual compounds belonging to the above-mentioned class of compounds are listed below. It is known to use common names to identify individual compounds (see the Pesticide Manual, 10 th edition, 1994, British plant protection Association).

Haloacetanilides: dimethachlor, metolachlor, S-metolachlor, pretilachlor, 2-chloro-N- (1-methyl-2-methoxyethyl) -acetyl-2, 6-xylidine, alachlor, butachlor, propachlor, dimethenamid.

Diphenyl ether derivatives: bifenox, 4- (4-pentyn-1-yloxy) diphenyl ether, acifluorfen, oxyfluorfen, acifluorfen, fomesafen, cis-trans- (±) 2-ethyl-5- (4-phenoxy-phenoxymethyl) -1, 3-dioxolane ("dinofenan)").

Phenoxy propionic acid derivatives: fluazifop-butyl, haloxyfop-methyl, fluorotoppic, oxazalofop-ethyl, quizalofop-ethyl, propaquizafop-ethyl and diclofop-methyl.

Acylalanines: furalaxyl, metalaxyl, R-metalaxyl, neoyangling, benalaxyl, oxadixyl and wheat straw fluorine M.

Triazole derivatives: difenoconazole, etaconazole, propiconazole, penconazole, triadimefon, epoxiconazole, tebuconazole, bromuconazole, fenbuconazole (fenbuconazole), cyproconazole.

Phosphoric acid esters: pipophos, anilofos, pyraclofos, pirimiphos-methyl, chlorfenphos, dichlorvos, diazinon, methidathion, bensulfos, bafenofos, pyraclofos, systemic phos-phote, chlorfenapyr, dimethoate, disulfoton, etrimfos, vamidophos, Flusulfothion, Fluthion, fonofos, formothion, heptenophos, isopropylamidophos, oxazaphos, malathion, dinorophos, naled, oxydisulfide, disulfoton, parathion, phoxim, pirimiphos-methyl, profenofos, propaphos, amirocarb, prothiofos, quinalphos, mephos, phemphos, terbufos, triazophos, fenphos, isazofos, s-benzyl-o, o-diisopropyl thiophosphate, pyrazofos, pyrithion.

Pyrethroids: allethrin, bioallethrin, bioresmethrin, cyhalothrin (Cyhalotrin), cypermethrin, deltamethrin, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, s-fenvalerate, fluvalinate, tau-fluvalinate, permethrin, pyrethrin (pyrethine), resmethrin, tetramethrin, tetrabromthrin, ethofenprox, cyfluthrin, cycloprothrin, tefluthrin, trifluorethrin, fluthrin, pentafluoro-phenothrin, and mite-killing pesticide (Bromfenprox).

Benzilic acid esters: bromopropylate, chlorohexytholate, propylate.

Polycyclic halogenated hydrocarbons: aldrin and endosulfan.

Strobilurines (Strobilurines): kresoxim-methyl, azoxystrobin (BAS490F), trifloxystrobin.

And others: tridemorph, bromoxynil, carboxin, prochloraz, propargite, dicamba, fenpiclonil, fenpropimorph, fenpropidin, fludioxonil, pymetrozine, pyrifenoxime, pyriproxyfen, Trinexapac-ethyl, fluazinam, fludioxonil, Mefenoxam, cyprodinil, thiabendazole, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, fenoxycarb, cyromazine, prometryn, ametryn, prodiamine, atrazine, fluazion, pyridate, flumetsulam, flumetralin, cimeacarb, thiamethoxam and acetochlor.

Particularly preferred agrochemicals suitable for use in the present invention include:

■ fungicides such as propiconazole, difenoconazole, fludioxonil, metalaxyl, mefenoxam (r-metalaxyl), azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin, furalaxyl, chlorothalonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, cyprodinil, oxadixyl, cyproconazole, pyrifenox, fenpiclonil, penconazole, thiabendazole and fluquinconazole;

■ insecticides such as thiamethoxam, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, cypermethrin, fenoxycarb, difenthiuron, methidathion, pymetrozine, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, lufenuron, cyromazine, profenofos, bromopropylate, furamexane, organophosphorus compounds, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiacloprid;

■ herbicides such as metolachlor, butafenacil, prometryn, chlortoluron, clodinafop (clodinafop), ametryn, prodiamine, fluometuron, pyridate, flumetsulam, acetochlor, dimethenamid, dimethachlor, fluazifop-butyl, pretilachlor, fenclorim;

■ growth regulators such as fluazinam and cimactacarb;

■ safeners such as fluxofenadine, clethodim, cloquintocet, dichlormid, and cloquintocet; and

■ plant activator such as activated ester (acibenzolar-s-methyl).

In the present invention, a wide range of concentrations of the agrochemical may be present, the concentration being determined by the activity of the agrochemical and its relative solubility in the microemulsifiable concentrate formulation.

Suitable concentrations of the composition are (% by total weight of the composition):

(a) hydrophobic agrochemical or mixture of hydrophobic agrochemicals: 0.1-25%, preferably 1-15%, more preferably about 1.25-11.5%;

(b) organic solvent: 10-95%, preferably 20-65%; wherein

(b) (i) alkyl alkanoate solvent: about 10-35%, preferably about 15-30%, more preferably about 18-25% of at least one C_6-13Aliphatic radical-C_1-4An alkanoic acid ester;

(b) (ii) a polyhydric alcohol, a polyhydric alcohol condensate or a mixture: about 10-45%, preferably about 10-40%, of at least one poly C_2-4Alkylene oxides, preferably ethylene oxide, preferably contain about 2 to 20 ethylene oxide repeat units per mole of compound;

(b) (iii) water-miscible solvent: about 10-30%, preferably about 12-25%, more preferably about 15-23% water miscible solvent; and

(c) surfactant (b): 2-40%, preferably 5-30%; wherein

(c) (i) cationic surfactant: about 0-20%, preferably about 1-12%, more preferably about 2-12%;

(c) (ii) nonionic surfactant: about 1-10%, preferably about 1-7%, more preferably about 2-5%, most preferably about 2-4.5%; and

(c) (iii) anionic surfactant: 0 to about 10%, preferably 0 to 9%.

Another aspect of the invention is a process for preparing a liquid microemulsifiable agrochemical concentrate as described herein by intimate mixing, optionally with heating, until a homogeneous phase is obtained.

In another aspect of the invention, the microemulsifiable concentrate, when diluted with water, is a microemulsion useful as a ready-to-use aqueous spray mixture. Microemulsions of any dilution can be obtained by diluting this concentrate with water and are useful, for example, for protecting and enhancing the health, quality and yield of useful plants and for growth regulation and for controlling pests such as weeds, insects, members of the order acarina, nematodes and diseases (whether in agriculture, in homes, in commerce or on public grounds). The dilution can be used to treat living plants and plant propagation material by spraying, watering or dipping. The microemulsions are also useful for protecting and preserving wood and other materials and controlling pests in or around buildings, including but not limited to termites, ants, cockroaches, rodents, flying insects, mosquitoes, fleas and ticks. The microemulsions of the present invention may also be used for pest fly control, disease vector control, feeding rodenticides to control rat and mouse infestations, feeding larvicides to control mosquitoes and black fly infestations, and feeding insecticides to control crawling insects in livestock pens. For example, the MEC of the invention may be diluted with water at room temperature by simple mixing to obtain a ready-to-use spray mixture prior to application. Typically, the concentration of the agrochemical contained in the spray mixture is about 0.001 to 1% by weight.

Examples

The following non-limiting examples illustrate the invention. The present invention should not be considered limited to these embodiments, but the full scope of the invention is defined in the claims. In the examples, all percentages are weight percentages of the total composition. Registered trademarks and other names denote the following products.

Exxate 700O-heptyl acetate

Exxate 1300O-tridecyl acetate

Stepan PEG 200 polyethylene glycol 200

Witco C0360 polyethoxylated Castor oil (36 mol EO)

Kessco PEG 400DL polyethylene glycol dilaurate

Emerest2620 polyethylene glycol monolaurate

Witco NS-500LQ butoxy EO/PO block copolymer

EO (ethylene oxide) PO (propylene oxide)

Stepfac 8181 tridecanol (EO)₆Polyethoxylate phosphates

Toximul TA-2 polyethoxylated (2-15 mol EO) tallow amine

Toximul TA-5 polyethoxylated (5 mol EO) tallow amine

Toximul TA-8 polyethoxylated (8 mol EO) tallow amine

Toximul TA-15

Stepan Biosoft S-100 dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid

Example 1

％	Composition (I)	Type (B)
			5.0	Trifloxystrobin (Trifloxystrobin)	Fungicidal agents
21.2	Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol	Water-miscible solvent
			25.8	Exxate 700	Solvent(s)
20.0	Stepan PEG 200	Solvent(s)
			11.9	Witco C0360	Nonionic surfactant
2.3	Kessco PEG 400DL	Nonionic surfactant
			2.2	Witco NS-500LQ	Nonionic surfactant
6.3	Stepfac 8181	Anionic surfactants
			5.3	Toximul TA-5	Cationic surfactant

Trifloxystrobin prodrug (52.6 g-95.0% assay) was added to a stirred vessel containing tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (212g) and oxy-heptyl acetate (258g, Exxate700) and the mixture was stirred until trifloxystrobin dissolved. Polyethylene glycol (200g, Stepan PEG 200), polyethoxylated castor oil (119g, Witco C0360), polyethylene glycol dilaurate (23.4g, KesscoPEG 400DL), butoxyEO/PO block copolymer (21.9g, Witco NS-500LQ), tridecyl alcohol polyethoxylate phosphate (62.5, Stepfac 8181), and polyethoxylated tallow amine (approximately 53g, Toximul TA-5) were added and the mixture stirred until homogeneous. The final pH of the mixture was controlled to 4-6 by adjusting the actual amount of polyethoxylated tallow amine added.

Density g/ml at 20 DEG C1	1.017
		1% in distilled water pH value2Haze/ntu in 2% aqueous solution (50ppm salt)3	5.379

¹Method according to ASTM D4052

²Method according to ASTM D1293

³Method according to ASTM D1889

Example 2

％	Composition (I)	Type (B)
			3.5	Trifloxystrobin	Fungicidal agents
7.0	Propiconazole	Fungicidal agents
			20.6	Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol	Water-miscible solvent
18.0	Exxate 700	Solvent(s)
			24.9	Stepan PEG 200	Solvent(s)
11.5	Witco C0360	Nonionic surfactant
			4.3	Kessco PEG 400DL	Nonionic surfactant
2.1	Witco NS-500LQ	Nonionic surfactant
			6.1	Stepfac 8181	Anionic surfactants
2.0	Toximul TA-2	Cationic surfactant

Propiconazole technical (72.0 g-94.0% assay) and trifloxystrobin technical (3.6 g-94.4% assay) were added to a stirred vessel containing tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (207g) and oxy-heptyl acetate (180g, Exxate700), and the mixture was stirred until propiconazole and trifloxystrobin were dissolved. Polyethylene glycol (2489g, Stepan PEG 200), polyethoxylated castor oil (115g, WitcoC0360), polyethylene glycol dilaurate (42.7g, Kessco) were addedPEG 400DL), butoxyEO/PO block copolymer (21.3g, Witco NS-500LQ), tridecyl alcohol polyethoxylate phosphate (60.7g, Stepfac 8181), and polyethoxylated tallow amine (approx. 20g, Toximul TA-2) and the mixture was stirred until homogeneous. The final pH of the mixture was controlled to 4-6 by adjusting the actual amount of polyethoxylated tallow amine added.

Density g/ml at 20 DEG C1	1.046
		pH value of 1% in distilled water2(50ppm salt) Haze/ntu for 2% aqueous solution3	3.830

¹Method according to ASTM D4052

²Method according to ASTM D1293

³Method according to ASTM D1889

Example 3

％	Composition (I)	Type (B)
			5	Trifloxystrobin	Fungicidal agents
20.2	Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol	Water-miscible solvent
			25.8	Exxate 700	Solvent(s)
20.0	Stepan PEG 200	Solvent(s)
			15.8	Witco C0360	Nonionic surfactant
2.4	Kessco PEG 400DL	Nonionic surfactant
			3.8	Witco NS-500LQ	Nonionic surfactant
2.4	Stepan Biosoft S-100	Anionic surfactants
			4.6	Toximul TA-8	Cationic surfactant

Trifloxystrobin prodrug (52.6 g-95.0% assay) was added to a stirred vessel containing tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (222g) and oxy-heptyl acetate (258g, Exxate700) and the mixture was stirred until trifloxystrobin dissolved. Polyethylene glycol (180g, Stepan PEG 200), polyethoxylated castor oil (158g, Witco C0360), polyethylene glycol dilaurate (24.2g, KesscoPEG 400DL), butoxyEO/PO block copolymer (37.8g, Witco NS-500LQ), dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (23.8g, Biosoft S-100), and polyethoxylated tallow amine (approximately 46.2g, Toximul TA-8) were added and the mixture stirred until homogeneous. The final pH of the mixture was controlled to 4-6 by adjusting the actual amount of polyethoxylated tallow amine added.

Density g/ml at 20 DEG C1	1.020
		1% in distilled water pH value2Haze/ntu of 2% aqueous solution (50ppm salt)3	4.863

¹Method according to ASTM D4052

²Method according to ASTM D1293

³Method according to ASTM D1889

Example 4

％	Composition (I)	Type (B)
			1.3	Thiamethoxam (Thiamethoxam)	Insecticide
0.2	Abamectin and its preparation method	Insecticide
			1.0	Butylated hydroxytoluene	Preservative
15.0	Tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol	Water-miscible solvent
			18.0	Exxate 1300	Solvent(s)
36.5	Stepan PEG 200	Solvent(s)
			2.0	Emerest 2620	Nonionic surfactant
12.1	Toximul TA-15	Cationic surfactant
			6.1	Toximul TA-5	Cationic surfactant
7.8	Stepan Biosoft S-100	Anionic surfactants

Butylated hydroxytoluene (10g) was added to a stirred vessel containing tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (150g), oxy-tridecyl acetate (180g, Exxate 1300), and polyethylene glycol (365g, PEG 200). The contents were stirred until all solids dissolved. Polyethylene glycol monolaurate (20.0g, emery 2620), polyethoxylated tallow amine (121g, Toximul TA-15), polyethoxylated tallow amine (61.0g, Toximul TA-5) and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (78g, Stepan Biosoft S100) were added and stirred until completely dissolved. Temperatures of microliter were observed. Adding thiamethoxam technical (13.4 g-95% determination) and abamectin technical (1.94 g-96% determination) and stirring until completely dissolving. The dissolution process may take several hours.

Density g/ml at 20 DEG C1	1.038
		1% in distilled water pH value2	5.6

¹Method according to ASTM D4052

²Method according to ASTM D1293

The eye irritation was Caution and the resulting microemulsion was stable at 5% dilution in all standard test waters for > 7 days at room temperature to temperatures as low as 0 ℃.

The above-described specific cis-schemes of the present invention are not intended to list all possible embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications may be made to the specific embodiments described herein, which modifications are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (65)

1. A microemulsifiable concentrate of a hydrophobic agrochemical, said concentrate comprising:

(a) a hydrophobic agrochemical in an amount of 0.1 to 25% by weight of the micro-emulsifiable concentrate;

(b) a solvent system comprising:

(i) a first solvent selected from alkyl alkanoates in an amount of 10-35% by weight of the microemulsifiable concentrate; and

(ii) a second solvent selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohol condensates, and mixtures thereof, in an amount of from 10 to 45 percent by weight of the microemulsifiable concentrate; and

(c) at least one surfactant in an amount of 2 to 40% by weight of the microemulsifiable concentrate.

2. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 wherein said surfactant component (c) comprises:

(c) (i) at least one cationic surfactant.

3. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 wherein said surfactant component (c) comprises:

(c) (ii) at least one nonionic surfactant.

4. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 wherein said surfactant component (c) comprises:

(c) (i) at least one cationic surfactant; and

(c) (iii) at least one anionic surfactant.

5. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 wherein said surfactant component (c) comprises:

(c) (i) at least one cationic surfactant; and

(c) (ii) at least one nonionic surfactant.

6. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 wherein said surfactant component (c) comprises:

(c) (i) at least one cationic surfactant;

(c) (ii) at least one nonionic surfactant; and

(c) (iii) at least one anionic surfactant.

7. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 wherein said first solvent component (b) (i) alkyl alkanoate is selected from C_1-4Alkanoic acid C_6-13An alkyl ester.

8. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 7 wherein said C is_1-4Alkanoic acid C_6-13The alkyl ester is selected from acetic acid C₆-C₁₃An alkyl ester.

9. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 8, wherein said acetic acid C_6-13The alkyl ester is selected from the group consisting of hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl and tridecyl acetate.

10. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 wherein said second solvent component (b) (ii) is a polyhydric alcohol.

11. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 wherein said second solvent component (b) (ii) is a polyhydric alcohol condensate.

12. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 wherein said second solvent component (b) (ii) is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol; dipropylene glycol; glycerol; diethylene glycol, poly C_2-6Alkylene glycols; mono-, di-, and tri- (poly-C)_2-6Alkoxylated) glycerol; a sugar alcohol; mono-and poly (poly C)_2-6Alkoxylated) sugar alcohols; mono-and poly- (hydroxy C)_2-6Alkyl) sugar alcohols; 2-methyl-2, 4-pentanediol; 1, 3-butanediol; 1, 2, 6-hexanetriol; 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol; c₁₅-C₁₈A vicinal diol; polyoxy C of trimethylolpropane_2-6Alkylene derivatives and C_2-6Aliphatic glycols.

13. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 12 wherein said second solvent component (b) (ii) is polyethylene glycol 200.

14. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 2 wherein said cationic surfactant component (C) (i) is selected from the group consisting of poly-C_2-4Alkoxylated fatty amines.

15. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 14, wherein said poly C_2-4The alkoxylated fatty amines being selected from poly-C_2-4Alkoxylation of C_14-20A fatty amine.

16. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 14, wherein said poly C_2-4The alkoxylated fatty amine is selected from C_2-4Alkoxylated tallow amine.

17. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 14, wherein said poly C_2-4The alkoxylated fatty amines are chosen from poly-C containing from 2 to 18 repeating alkoxy units per molecule_2-4Alkoxylated fatty amines.

18. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 17, wherein said poly C_2-4The alkoxylated fatty amine is selected from the group consisting of poly-C containing 2, 5, 8, 15 or 16 repeating alkoxy units per molecule_2-4Alkoxylated fatty amines.

19. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 3 wherein said nonionic surfactant component (C) (ii) is selected from the group consisting of poly-C_2-4Mono C of alkylene oxide block copolymers_2-6An alkyl ether having at least one polyalkylene oxide block first region and one polyalkylene oxide block second region, wherein the polyalkylene oxide in said first region is different from the polyalkylene oxide, castor oil and poly C in said second region_2-4Condensates of alkylene oxides, C_12-24Mono-or di-esters of fatty acids, and mixtures thereof.

20. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 19 wherein said nonionic surfactant component (C) (ii) is a poly-C_2-4Mono C of alkylene oxide block copolymers_2-6The alkyl ether having C_2-6An alkyl ether moiety which is a butyl and/or alkylene oxide block copolymer moiety which is an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer.

21. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 19 wherein said nonionic surfactant component (C) (ii) is a poly-C_2-4Mono C of alkylene oxide block copolymers_2-6The alkyl ether has an alkylene oxide block copolymer moiety which is an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer wherein the ethylene oxide comprises from 10 to 90 mole percent of the block copolymer.

22. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 19 wherein said nonionic surfactant component (C) (ii) is castor oil and a poly-C containing from about 30 to about 40 alkylene oxide units per molecule_2-4Condensation products of alkylene oxides.

23. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 19 wherein said nonionic surfactant component (C) (ii) is castor oil and a poly-C_2-4Condensation products of alkylene oxides, wherein the alkylene oxides are polyoxyethylene.

24. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 19 wherein said nonionic surfactant component (C) (ii) C_12-24The mono-or di-ester of a fatty acid being C_12-20Monoesters or diesters of fatty acids.

25. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 19 wherein said nonionic surfactant component (C) (ii) C_12-24The mono-or di-ester of a fatty acid being C_12-16Monoesters or diesters of fatty acids.

26. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 19 wherein said nonionic surfactant component (C) (ii) C_12-24The mono-or di-ester of a fatty acid is a lauric acid mono-or diester.

27. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 19 wherein said nonionic surfactant component (C) (ii) C_12-24Of fatty acidsThe mono-or di-ester being C_12-24Polyoxyethylene esters of fatty acids.

28. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 27, wherein said C is_12-24The mono-or di-esters of fatty acids being C containing 2-40 oxyethylene units per molecule_12-24Polyoxyethylene esters of fatty acids.

29. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 27, wherein said C is_12-24The mono-or di-ester of a fatty acid is polyoxyethylene mono-or dilaurate.

30. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 6 wherein said anionic surfactant component (C) (iii) is selected from the group consisting of poly (oxy-1, 2-ethanediyl) - α -C_10-15Alkyl-omega-hydroxy phosphates and/or C_10-13Alkyl benzene sulfonic acid or a salt thereof.

31. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 30 wherein said anionic surfactant component (C) (iii) poly (oxy-1, 2-ethanediyl) - α -C_10-15The alkyl-omega-hydroxy phosphate is selected from poly (oxy-1, 2-ethanediyl) -alpha-tridecyl-omega-hydroxy phosphate.

32. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 30 wherein said anionic surfactant component (C) (iii) poly (oxy-1, 2-ethanediyl) - α -C_10-15The alkyl-omega-hydroxy phosphates contain 3-9 repeating oxy-1, 2-ethanediyl units per molecule.

33. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 30 wherein said anionic surfactant component (C) (iii) poly (oxy-1, 2-ethanediyl) - α -C_10-15The alkyl-omega-hydroxy phosphate contains 6 repeating oxy-1, 2-ethanediyl units per molecule.

34. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 30 wherein said anionic surfactant component (c) (iii) is a tridecyl alcohol polyethoxylated phosphoric acid or a salt thereof.

35. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 30 wherein said anionic surfactant component (c) (iii) is dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid or a salt thereof.

36. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 further comprising (d) a water miscible solvent.

37. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 36 wherein said component (d) water miscible solvent is selected from the group consisting of N-C_1-4Alkyl-2-pyrrolidones; tetramethylurea; gamma-butyrolactone; n, N-di-C_1-4An alkyl formamide; n, N-di-C_1-4An alkyl acetamide; dimethyl sulfoxide; c_3-8Cycloalkylcarbinols, and monobasic C_1-4An alkanol.

38. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 36 wherein said component (d) water miscible solvent is selected from the group consisting of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; tetramethylurea; gamma-butyrolactone; n, N-dimethylformamide; n, N-dimethylacetamide; dimethyl sulfoxide; tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol and ethanol.

39. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 36 wherein said ingredient (d) is tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol.

40. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 wherein said hydrophobic agrochemical is selected from the group consisting of chemical pesticides, herbicide safeners, fertilizers and nutrients, gametocides, defoliants, desiccants, and mixtures thereof.

41. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 40, wherein said chemical pesticide is selected from the group consisting of a plant growth regulator, a herbicide, an algicide, a fungicide, a bactericide, a viricide, an insecticide, a miticide, a nematicide, a molluscicide, a miticide, an ectoparasiticide, and mixtures thereof.

42. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 wherein said hydrophobic agrochemical is selected from the group consisting of acylalanines, haloacetanilides, triazole derivatives, phosphate esters, pyrethroids, benzilic esters, polycyclic halohydrocarbons, diphenyl ether derivatives, formamidines, methoxyacrylates, aryloxyphenoxy-alkanoic acid derivatives, and mixtures thereof.

43. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1, wherein said hydrophobic agrochemical is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) haloacetanilides selected from the group consisting of dimethachlor, metolachlor, S-metolachlor, pretilachlor, 2-chloro-N- (1-methyl-2-methoxyethyl) -acetyl-2, 6-xylidine, alachlor, butachlor, propachlor, dimethenamid;

(b) diphenyl ether derivatives selected from the group consisting of bifenox, 4- (4-pentyn-1-yloxy) diphenyl ether, acifluorfen, oxyfluorfen, acifluorfen, fomesafen and cis-trans- (±) 2-ethyl-5- (4-phenoxy-phenoxymethyl) -1, 3-dioxolane;

(c) a phenoxypropionic acid derivative selected from the group consisting of fluazifop-butyl, haloxyfop-methyl, fluorotropic, fenoxaprop-ethyl, quizalofop-ethyl, propaquizafop-ethyl and diclofop-methyl;

(d) acylalanines selected from the group consisting of furalaxyl, metalaxyl, R-metalaxyl, norshanling, benalaxyl, oxadixyl and meflonicamid;

(e) triazole derivatives selected from the group consisting of difenoconazole, etaconazole, propiconazole, penconazole, triadimefon, epoxiconazole, tebuconazole, bromuconazole, fenbuconazole and cyproconazole;

(f) phosphoric acid esters selected from the group consisting of mephos, anilofos, fenpyrazam, pirimiphos-methyl, chlorfenphos, dichlorvos, diazinon, methidathion, oxazaphos, bafenphos, chlorpyrifos, chlorfenapyr, bafenphos, cyanophos, demeton, chlorfenapyr, dimethoate, disulfoton, etrimfos, valfenfos, Flusulfothion, Fluthion, fonofos, formothion, heptenophos, isopropylamidophos, oxazaphos, malathion, dinophos, tolanil, naled, sulfothion, disulfoton, parathion, phoxim, pirimiphos-methyl, profenofos, propaphos, triafamoxaphos, prothiophos, mephos, Phemephos, terbufos, triazophos, isamidophos, clofos, s-benzyl-o, o-diisopropyl thiophosphate, pyrazofos;

(g) pyrethroids selected from the group consisting of allethrin, bioallethrin, bioresmethrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, esfenvalerate, fenvalerate, fluvalinate, cypermethrin, pyrethrin, resmethrin, tetramethrin, tralomethrin, ethofenprox, cyfluthrin, cycloprothrin, tefluthrin, trifluorofenprox, silafluofen, cyfluthrin, penfluthrin, and diafenthiuron;

(h) benzilic acid esters selected from bromopropylate, ethyl ester miticide, propyl ester miticide;

(i) polycyclic halogenated hydrocarbons selected from aldrin, endosulfan;

(j) strobilurins selected from the group consisting of kresoxim-methyl, azoxystrobin, methoxyimino- {2- [1- (3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl) -ethyleneaminooxymethyl ] -phenyl) -acetic acid methyl ester, and trifloxystrobin;

(k) others, selected from tridemorph, bromoxynil, carboxin, prochloraz, propargite, dicamba, fenpiclonil, fenpropimorph, fenpropidin, fludioxonil, pymetrozine, pyriproxyfen, trinexapac-ethyl, fluazinam, fludioxonil, Mefenoxam, cyprodinil, thiabendazole, abamectin, emamectin, fenoxycarb, cyromazine, prometryn, ametryn, prodiamine, atrazine, fluometuron, pyridate, imazachlor, flumetacmab, thiamethoxam and acetochlor;

(1) and mixtures thereof.

44. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 39, wherein said agrochemical is selected from the group consisting of

(a) A fungicide selected from propiconazole, difenoconazole, fludioxonil, metalaxyl, mefenoxam, azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin, furalaxyl, chlorothalonil, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, cyprodinil, oxadixyl, cyproconazole, pyriproxyfen, fenpiclonil, penconazole, thiabendazole and pyroquilon;

(b) an insecticide selected from thiamethoxam, abamectin, emamectin benzoate, cypermethrin, fenoxycarb, difenthiuron, methidathion, pymetrozine, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, lufenuron, cyromazine, profenofos, bromopropylate, furamexane, organophosphorus compounds, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiacloprid;

(c) herbicides selected from metolachlor, S-metolachlor, butafenacil, prometryn, chlortoluron, clodinafop-propargyl, ametryn, propamocarb, metolachlor, pyridate, flumetsulam, acetochlor, dimethenamid, dimethachlor, fluazifop-p-butyl, pretilachlor and fenclorim;

(d) a growth regulator selected from the group consisting of fluvalinate and cimactacarb;

(e) a safener selected from the group consisting of fluxofenadine, clomazone, cloquintocet-mexyl, and dichloroenamine;

(f) a plant activator selected from activated esters; and

(g) mixtures thereof.

45. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 wherein said hydrophobic agrochemical is selected from the group consisting of trifloxystrobin, propiconazole, thiamethoxam, and abamectin, and mixtures thereof.

46. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1, wherein said hydrophobic agrochemical comprises trifloxystrobin.

47. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 further comprising ingredients selected from the group consisting of conventional agrochemical additives and adjuvants selected from the group consisting of antioxidants, dyes, colorants, and fragrances.

48. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 2, wherein said cationic surfactant is present in an amount ranging from 0 to 20 weight percent of said microemulsifiable concentrate.

49. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 3 wherein said nonionic surfactant is present in an amount of 1-10% by weight of said microemulsifiable concentrate.

50. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 4, wherein said cationic surfactant is present in an amount ranging from 0 to 20 weight percent of said microemulsifiable concentrate, and anionic surfactant is present in an amount ranging from 0 to 10 weight percent of said microemulsifiable concentrate.

51. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 5, wherein said cationic surfactant is present in an amount ranging from 0 to 20 weight percent of said microemulsifiable concentrate, and said nonionic surfactant is present in an amount ranging from 1 to 10 weight percent of said microemulsifiable concentrate.

52. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1, wherein said at least one surfactant is a mixture of surfactants, said mixture comprising:

(i) a cationic surfactant in an amount of 1-20% by weight of the microemulsifiable concentrate;

(ii) a nonionic surfactant in an amount of 1-10% by weight of the microemulsifiable concentrate; and

(iii) an anionic surfactant in an amount of 0-10% by weight of the microemulsifiable concentrate.

53. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 having a pH of from 3 to 8.

54. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 having a pH of from 4 to 6.

55. The microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 having a density of from 0.9 to 1.1 g/ml.

56. A microemulsion comprising the microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1 and water.

57. The microemulsion of claim 56, having a droplet size of 20-300 nm.

58. The microemulsion of claim 56 in the form of a sprayable composition.

59. The ready-to-use microemulsion of claim 55 in sprayable form.

60. A method of applying a hydrophobic agrochemical comprising preparing the microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1, contacting the microemulsifiable concentrate with water to obtain an aqueous microemulsion thereof, and dispensing the aqueous microemulsion.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the microemulsifiable concentrate is contacted with a first portion of the water to produce a microemulsion concentrate thereof, and the microemulsion concentrate is further diluted with another portion of the water to produce the final microemulsion, which may be produced prior to or during application of the agrochemical.

62. A method of treating a plant with an agrochemical comprising preparing the microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1, diluting said microemulsifiable concentrate with an appropriate amount of water to form a microemulsion, and contacting said plant or a portion of said plant with said microemulsion.

63. A method of treating soil prepared for planting with an agrochemical comprising preparing the micro-emulsifiable concentrate of claim 1, diluting the micro-emulsifiable concentrate with an appropriate amount of water to form a microemulsion, and contacting the soil with the microemulsion.

64. A method of treating seeds with an agrochemical comprising preparing the microemulsifiable concentrate of claim 1, diluting said microemulsifiable concentrate with an appropriate amount of water to form a microemulsion, and contacting said seeds with said microemulsion.

65. A method of treating a growing crop with an agrochemical pre-emergent treatment comprising preparing a micro-emulsifiable concentrate of claim 1, diluting said micro-emulsifiable concentrate with an appropriate amount of water to form a microemulsion, and contacting said pre-emergent crop area with said microemulsion.