Fumigant compositions and methods

Abstract

Fumigant compositions including hexafluoropropene or 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, and methods of preparing such compositions, are provided herein. The fumigant compositions may be suitable for use as soil fumigant compositions and structural fumigant compositions against a variety of undesirable species such as weeds, nematodes, pathogens, animals and insects. The fumigant compositions also have low toxicity and low Global Warming Potential.

1 . A method of eradicating undesirable species from a treatment zone, the method comprising:
 contacting the treatment zone with a fumigant composition comprising hexafluoropropene,1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the undesirable species include one or more of weeds, nematodes or pathogens. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the undesirable species include insects or animals. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment zone comprises a building or a vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment zone comprises packaged goods. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment zone comprises a field. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the contacting step comprises contacting soil with the fumigant composition. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein contacting soil comprises contacting soil via drip irrigation. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein contacting soil comprises contacting soil via shank injection. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fumigant composition is in gaseous form. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fumigant composition is in aqueous form. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fumigant composition further comprises at least one of methyl iodide, chloropicrin, acrolein, 1,3-dichloropropene, dimethyl disulfide, furfural, propylene oxide or metham sodium. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fumigant composition further comprises at least one surfactant. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 . wherein the fumigant composition comprises at least one odorant. 
     
     
         15 . A fumigant composition comprising;
 hexafluoropropene, 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene or a combination thereof;   at least one component selected from methyl iodide, chloropicrin, acrolein, 1,3-dichloropropene, dimethyl disulfide, furfural, propylene oxide metham sodium and combinations; and   at least one surfactant.   
     
     
         16 . The fumigant composition of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one component comprises methyl iodide. 
     
     
         17 . The fumigant composition of  claim 15 , consisting essentially of hexafluoropropene or 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene, methyl iodide and surfactant. 
     
     
         18 . The fumigant composition of  claim 15 , wherein the surfactant comprises a nonionic surfactant. 
     
     
         19 . The fumigant composition of  claim 15 , wherein the surfactant comprises a polysorbate. 
     
     
         20 . A method of making a fumigant composition, the method comprising combining methyl iodide, a surfactant and at least one of hexafluoropropene and 1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene in water.