Herbicidal composition comprising an aminophosphinate or aminophosphonate salt and a betaine

Abstract

The present invention relates to herbicidal compositions comprising an aminophosphate or aminophosphonate salt, particularly to herbicidal compositions comprising a relatively high amount of aminophosphate or aminophosphonate salt and a betaine-based surfactant composition of matter.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A herbicidal aqueous composition comprising:
 (i) more than 400 g/L of an aminophosphinate or aminophosphonate salt;   (ii) at least 80 g/L of a surfactant system which comprises:
 (a) a betaine surfactant composition comprising:
 water, 
 at least 30% by weight of a betaine having the formula
   R 1 R 2 R 2 N + —CH 2 COO − ,
 
 
 
 wherein: 
 R1 is a linear or branched hydrocarbon radical having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, 
 the radicals R2, which may be identical or different, are each a C 1 -C 3  alkyl radical,
 at least 5% by weight of a potassium chloride salt, and 
 substantially no sodium cation; and 
 
   (b) optionally, at least one surfactant other than the betaine of the betaine surfactant compositions.   
     
     
         24 . The herbicidal composition as defined by  claim 23 , wherein the total amount of surfactant is at least 24 g/L. 
     
     
         25 . The herbicidal composition as defined by  claim 23 , wherein the amount of potassium chloride is greater than 8% by weight of the amount of the betaine surfactant composition. 
     
     
         26 . The herbicidal composition as defined by  claim 23 , wherein the total amount of potassium chloride is greater than 8% by weight of the amount of the surfactant system. 
     
     
         27 . The herbicidal composition as defined by  claim 23 , comprising a glyphosate isopropylamine salt. 
     
     
         28 . The herbicidal composition as defined by  claim 23 , comprising from 400 g/L to 560 g/L of the aminophosphinate or aminophosphonate salt, and from 80 g/L to 160 g/L of the surfactant system. 
     
     
         29 . The herbicidal composition as defined by  claim 23 , comprising from 400 to 500 g/L of glyphosate isopropylamine salt, and from 100 to 135 g/L of the surfactant system. 
     
     
         30 . The herbicidal composition as defined by  claim 23 , comprising at least 500 g/L of glyphosate isopropylamine salt, and at least 120 g/L of the surfactant system. 
     
     
         31 . The herbicidal composition as defined by  claim 23 , wherein the betaine has the formula R 1 R 2 R 2 N + —CH 2 COO − , in which
 R 2  is a methyl group, and 
 R 1  is a lauryl alkyl radical mixture. 
 
     
     
         32 . The herbicidal composition as defined by  claim 23 , wherein the betaine surfactant composition is obtained by a process comprising the following steps:
 step 1) reacting a compound of formula R 1 R 2 R 2 N with chloroacetic acid, to obtain a reaction product;   step 2) adding potassium hydroxide to increase the pH,   step 3) optionally, adding further ingredients or adjusting the concentration or pH.   
     
     
         33 . The herbicidal composition as defined by  claim 23 , wherein the pH of the betaine surfactant composition ranges from 6 to 8, in a 1% by weight water solution. 
     
     
         34 . The herbicidal composition as defined by  claim 23 , further comprising:
 surfactant(s) other than the betaine of the betaine surfactant composition,   anti-foaming agents,   solvents, or   deposition control agents, optionally added subsequently.   
     
     
         35 . The herbicidal composition as defined by  claim 34 , wherein the surfactant other than the betaine of the betaine surfactant composition is:
 an ethoxylated fatty amine,   an ether carboxylate,   an acid or non acid mono- or di-ester phosphate, optionally polyalkoxylated,   an alkylmonoglycoside or alkylpolyglycoside, or   a mixture thereof.   
     
     
         36 . A process for formulating a herbicidal composition as defined by  claim 23 , comprising the following steps:
 step a) preparing a betaine surfactant composition by a process comprising the following steps:
 step 1) reacting a compound of formula R 1 R 2 R 2 N with chloroacetic acid, to obtain a reaction product, 
 step 2) adding potassium hydroxide to increase the pH, and 
 step 3) optionally adding further ingredients or adjusting the concentration or pH. and 
   step b) mixing the aminophosphinate or aminophosphonate salt, the betaine surfactant composition and the optional further ingredients.   
     
     
         37 . The process as defined by  claim 36 , wherein step b) comprises the steps of providing a mixture of water and the glyphosate salt, and then adding the betaine surfactant composition. 
     
     
         38 . The herbicidal composition of  claim 34 , wherein the deposition control agents are anti-rebound agents or anti-drift agents.