Biocide Compositions Comprising Derivatives Of Pyroglutamic Acid

Abstract

Described are agrochemical compositions, comprising (a) esters and/or amides of pyroglutamic acid, and (b) biocides. The compositions are clear and exhibit an improved stability even when stored at temperatures between 5° and 40° C. over a longer period.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biocide composition, comprising
 (a) an ester of pyroglutamic acid according to general formula (I)   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein X is O[AO] n R 1 , [AO] is a C 2 -C 4  alkylene oxide unit, n is 0 or an integer of 1 to 100, R 1  represents hydrogen, an alkyl or alkenyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms or a (tetrahydro)furfuryl residue, and
 (b) a biocide; 
 (c) optionally an oil component or a co-solvent; and 
 (d) optionally an emulsifier. 
 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein component (a) comprises an ester selected from the group consisting of pyroglutamic acid methyl ester, pyroglutamic acid ethyl ester, pyroglutamic acid propyl ester(s), pyroglutamic acid butyl ester(s), pyroglutamic acid n-octyl ester, pyroglutamic-2-ethylhexyl ester, pyroglutamic acid furfuryl ester, pyroglutamic acid tetrahydrofurfuryl ester, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the biocide is selected from the group consisting of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and plant growth regulators. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the biocide is selected from the group consisting of azoles, oxyfluorfen, propanil, chlorpyrifos, bifenthrin, novaluron, phenmedipham, deltamethrin, acetochlore, lambda-cyhalothrin, glyphosate and its salts, and glufosinate and its salts. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 (c) an oil component or a co-solvent.   
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 (d) an emulsifier.   
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises
 (a) 0.1% b.w. to 99% b.w. the ester of pyroglutamic acid,   (b) 1% b.w. to 99.1% b.w. the biocide,   (c) 0% b.w. to 50% b.w. the oil component or the co-solvent, and   (d) 0% b.w. to 15% b.w. the emulsifier   
       with the proviso that the amounts add, optionally with water and/or polyols, to 100% b.w. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition has an active matter content of 5% b.w. to 50% b.w. 
     
     
         11 . A method of dispersing a biocide, the method comprising using an ester of pyroglutamic acid as a solvent or dispersant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the ester of pyroglutamic acid is selected from the group consisting of pyroglutamic acid methyl ester, pyroglutamic acid ethyl ester, pyroglutamic acid propyl ester(s), pyroglutamic acid butyl ester(s), pyroglutamic acid n-octyl ester, pyroglutamic-2-ethylhexyl ester, pyroglutamic acid furfuryl ester, pyroglutamic acid tetrahydrofurfuryl ester, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the biocide is selected from the group consisting of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and plant growth regulators. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the biocide is selected from the group consisting of azoles, oxyfluorfen, propanil, chlorpyrifos, bifenthrin, novaluron, phenmedipham, deltamethrin, acetochlore, lambda-cyhalothrin, glyphosate and its salts and glufosinate and its salts.