Title of Invention

A NON-AQUEOUS AND AN AQUEOUS COMPOSITION FOR CONTROLLING UNWANTED VEGETATION

Abstract The present invention relates to active ingredient concentrates having an herbicidal effect, comprising: a) 10 to 100 g/L of at least one 4-benzoyl-substituted pyrazol compound of the formula (I), wherein R1 , R3 independently of each other stand for hydrogen, halogen, hethyl, halogen methyl, methoxy, halogen methoxy, methylthio, methyl sulfinyl, or methyl sulfonyl; R2 stands for a 5-membered heterocyclic residue, which is unsubstituted, or carries 1, 2, 3, or 4 subsrituents, which are selected from halogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C4-akoxy, C1-C4-halogen alkyl, C1-C4-halogen alkoxy, and C1-C4-alkylfhio; R4 stands for hydrogen, halogen, or methyl; R5 stands for C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, or C3-C6-cycloalkylmefhyl; and R6 stands for hydrogen, or C1-C4-Alkyl; or one of its salts used in agriculture, b) 200 to 700 g/L 2-chlorine-N-(2,4-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-N-(2-methoxy-l-methylethyl)-acetamide, and 25 c) 10 to 200 g/L of at least a surface-active substance S, which is selected from a mixture of at least one anionic surface-active compound, and at least one non-ionic surface-active compound, wherein the components a), b), and c) are dissolved in an organic solvent mixture, which comprises at least 95 wt.-%, based on the solvent mixture, of d1) at least one aprotic polar organic solvent, which has a miscibility with water at 25°C and 1 bar of at least 50 g/1, and d2) at least one organic solvent, which has a solubility in water at 25°C and 1 bar of less than 5 g/1.
Full Text Non-aqueous active ingredient concentrates having an herbicidal effect
Description
The present invention relates to active compound concentrates having herbicidal
action, comprising
a) at least one 4-benzoyl-substituted pyrazole compound of the formula I
in which
R1, R3 independently of one another are hydrogen, halogen, methyl,
halomethyl, methoxy, hatomethoxy, methylthio, methylsuifinyl or
methylsulfonyl;
R2 is a 5-membered heterocyclic radical which is unsubstituted or carries 1,
2, 3 or 4 substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C6-alkyl,
C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-hatoatkyi, C1-C4-haloalkoxy and C1-C4-
alkylthio;
R4 is hydrogen, halogen or methyl;
R5 is C1-C6-aikyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyi or C3-C6-cycloalkyimethyl; and
R6 is hydrogen or C1-C4-alkyl;
or one of its agriculturally useful salts, and
b) 2-chloro-ISI-(2,4-dimethyl-3-th(enyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide
(dimethenamid).
The invention also relates to the use of such active compound concentrates for
controlling unwanted vegetation, in particular for controlling graminaceous harmful
plants.
Pure crops of agriculturally interesting useful plants are required for efficient and
profitable practice of industrialized agriculture and for ensuring a consistent product
quality. The selective sensitivity of different plant groups with respect to certain
metabolic inhibitors or other cell toxins may be utilized for the targeted control of

unwanted foreign vegetation (growth of harmful plants) on the areas under agricultural
cultivation. Here, it is desirable in principle to enhance both the absolute efficacy and
the specificity of the active compounds used (herbicides) against harmful plants.
The specificity and, within certain limits, the absolute efficacy can be enhanced by
using combinations of a plurality of specific active compounds which attack at different
points of the metabolism of the target plants. If the activity of the combination exceeds
the sum of the individual activities significantly, this is referred to as synergism
(occasionally also as superadditive effects).
The herbicidal action of the 4-benzoyl-substituted pyrazole compounds of the formula I
is known from WO 96/26206 and WO 98/31681.
The herbicidal action of 2-chloro-N-(2,4-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methyl-
ethyl)acetamide, also referred to as dimethenamid, is known from GB 2,114,566. Ow-
ing to the presence of two chiral elements (the chiral axis along the bond between the
3-position of the thiophene ring and the nitrogen atom of the amide group, and a center
of asymmetry at carbon 1 of the 2-methoxy-1-methy!ethyl group), dimethenamid is a
mixture of four stereoisomers. The stereoisomers of dimethenamid which, with respect
to the asymmetric carbon atom of the 2-methoxy-1-methylethyl group, have the S-
conflguration are also referred to as S~isomer or as dimethenamid-P.
It is known from WO 99/65314 that the joint application of 4-benzoyl-substituted
pyrazole compounds of the formula I and dimethenamid results in a herbicidal action
which is increased compared to the application of the individual compounds.
Formulations comprising both active compounds are not described in this publication.
What is desired, not least for reasons of practicability, are formulations comprising both
the 4-benzoyi-substituted pyrazole compound of the formula I and dimethenamid in
relatively concentrated form. Here, a number of problems have to be solved, in
particular if the formulation comprises the active compounds in concentrated form.
Since, prior to their application, such active compound concentrates are usually diluted
with water, it has to be ensured that the concentrates can be diluted with water without
any problems, and that the resulting aqueous dilution comprises the active compounds
in relatively uniformly distributed form. However, frequently, especially concentrated
active compound formulations (active compound concentrates) have, on prolonged
storage, a tendency to undergo phase separation and/or to precipitate solids. On
dilution with water, this then results in an uneven distribution of the active compounds

in the aqueous dilution and/or inaccuracies when metering out the active compounds,
which frequently eliminates the desired superadditive effect.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a formulation for a
mixture of 4-benzoyl-substituted pyrazole compounds of the formula I, as defined at the
outset, and dimethenamid which comprises the two active compounds in relatively
concentrated form.
According to a first subject matter of the present invention, this and further objects are
achieved by a non-aqueous active compound concentrate, which comprises
a) from 10 to 100 g/l, in particular from 20 to 50 g/l, of at least one 4-benzoyl-
substituted pyrazole compound of the formula I as defined above or one of its
agriculturally useful salts,
b) from 200 to 700 g/l, in particular from 400 to 600 g/l, of 2-chloro-N-(2,4-dimethyl-
3-thieny!)-N-(2-methoxy-1 -methylethyl)acetamide, and
c) from 10 to 200 g/l, in particular from 20 to 100 g/l, of at least one surfactant S
selected from a mixture of at least one anionic surfactant or surface-active
compound and at least one nonionic surfactant or surface-active compound,
where the components a), b) and c) are present dissolved in a mixture of organic
solvents consisting to at least 95% by weight, in particular at least 99% by weight,
based on the solvent mixture, of
d1) at least one aprotic polar organic solvent having a miscibility with water at 25°C
and 1 bar of at least 50 g/l, and
d2) at least one organic solvent having a solubility in water at 25°C and 1 bar of less
than 5 g/i, in particular less than 1 g/l.
Such non-aqueous active compound concentrates are particularly storage-stable and
can be diluted without any problems with water to the desired application
concentration. The aqueous active compound preparations prepared using the non-
aqueous active compound concentrates moreover show little foaming (determined
according to Ross-Miles). In addition, the aqueous active compound preparations
obtained are particularly stable toward demixing (determined according to CIPAC MT).
Furthermore, surprisingly, on application of the non-aqueous active compound

concentrates according to the invention, an increased herbicidal action compared to
the joint application of separate active compound formulations of active compounds of
the formula I and dimethenamid is observed.
According to a second subject matter of the present invention, the abovementioned
objects are also achieved by an aqueous active compound concentrate, which
comprises
a) from 10 to 100 g/l, in particular from 20 to 50 g/l, of at least one 4-benzoyi-
substituted pyrazole compound of the formula I, as defined above,
b) from 200 to 700 g/l, in particular from 400 to 600 g/l, of 2-chioro-N-(2,4-dimethyl-
3-thienyi)-N-(2-methoxy-1 -methylethyl)acetamide, and
c) from 10 to 200 g/l, in particular from 20 to 100 g/l, of at least one surfactant S
selected from nonionic surfactants and mixtures thereof with anionic surfactants,
where the components a) and b) are present in disperse form in an aqueous diluent.
The aqueous active compound compositions according to the invention, too, are
storage-stable even at elevated temperature for a prolonged period of time and can be
diluted without any problems with water to the desired application concentration.
Moreover, they are distinguished by a low content of volatile organic hydrocarbons.
Here and below, alkyl and the alkyl moieties in alkylcarbonyl, alkoxy, alkylthio and
a/kylphenyl, are straight-chain or branched saturated hydrocarbon radicals.
Correspondingly, alkenyl denotes straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon radicals
which are monounsaturated. Haloalkyl and the haloalkyl moieties in haloalkoxy denote
straight-chain or branched alkyl radicals in which 1 or more, for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or
else all, hydrogen atoms are replaced by halogen, in particular by chlorine or fluorine.
Phenyialkyl denotes a phenyl radical which is connected via an alkyl group to the
remainder of the molecule. Cycloalkyl denotes cyclic saturated hydrocarbon radicals.
The prefix C„-Cm indicates in each case the number of possible carbon atoms.
Examples of alkyl are C1-C4-alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-
methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl and 1,1-dimethylethyl, furthermore C1-C6-alkyI which, in
addition to the radicals mentioned for C1-C4-alkyl, also includes pentyl, 1-methy/butyl,
2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, hexyl, 1,1-
dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpenty(, 3-methylpentyl, 4-

methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl,
2,3-dimethylbutyi, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1,2-trimethylpropyl,
1,2,2-trimethytpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl and 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl, and also
relatively long-chain alkyl radicals, such as n-heptyi, n-octyl, n-nonyt, isononyl,
2-ethylhexyl, n-decyl, isodecyl, 2-propylheptyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, isotridecyl, pentadecyl,
lauryl, myristyt, palmityl, stearyl, behenyl and the like.
Alkylcarbonyl denotes an alkyl radical as mentioned above which is attached via a
carbonyl group.
Alkoxy denotes an alkyl radical as defined above, which is attached via oxygen, in
particular C1-C4-alkoxy, such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, butoxy,
1-methylpropoxy, 2-methylpropoxy and 1,1-dimethylethoxy.
Haloalkyl denotes an alkyl radical as defined above in which one or more, for example
1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 or all, hydrogen atoms are replaced by halogen, in particular by fluorine
or chlorine. Examples are fluoromethyl, chloromethyl, trifluoromethyl, difluoroethyl,
2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, pentaftuoroethyl, 2-fluoro-1-methylethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-
methylethyl, etc.
Cycloalkyl denotes a cyclic saturated hydrocarbon radical, such as, for example,
cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl.
Phenylalkyl denotes a phenyl radical which is attached via an alkyl group, such as, for
example, benzyl, 1-or2-phenyiethy(.
5-membered heterocyclic radicals are saturated, partially saturated or aromatic cycles
which have 5 ring atoms (ring members) and which, in addition to the carbon atoms as
ring members, have one or more, for example 1,2, 3 or 4, heteroatoms, in particular 1
or 2 heteroatoms, as ring members, the heteroatoms preferably being selected from
the group consisting of O, S and N. Examples of these radicals are 2-tetrahydro-
furanyl, 3-tetrabydrofuranyi, 2-tetrahydrothienyi, 3-tetrahydrothienyl, 2-pyrroiidinyl,
3-pyrrolidinyl, 3-isoxazolidinyl, 4-isoxazoiidinyl, 5-isoxazolidiny(, 3-isothiazolidinyl,
4-isothiazolidinyl, 5-isothiazolidinyl, 3-pyrazolidinyl, 4-pyra2olidinyl, 5-pymzondmyl
2-oxazolidinyl, 4-oxazolidinyl, 5-oxazolidinyl, 2-thia2ofidinyl, 4-thiazolidinyl,
5-thiazolidinyl, 24mida2ofrdinyl, 4-imidazo!idinyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazo!idm-3-yi,
1,2,4-oxadiazolidin-5-yl, 1,2,4-thiadia20lidin-3-yl, 1,2,4-thiadia2olidin-5-yl,
1,2,4-Atriazoiidin-S-yi, 1,3,4-oxadiazolJdin~2-yl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolidin~2-yl, 1,3,4-triazolidin-
2-yl, 2,3-dihydrofur-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrofur-3-yf, 2,4-dihydrofur-2-yf, 2,4-dihydrofur-3-yl, 2,3-

dihydrothien-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrothien-3-yl, 2,4-dihydrothien-2-yl, 2,4-dihydrothien-3-yl,
2-pyrrolin-2-yl, 2-pyrrolin-3-yl, 3-pyrrolin-2-yl, 3-pyrrolin-3-yl, 2-isoxazolin-3-yl,
3-isoxazolin-3-yl, 4-isoxazolin-3-yl, 2-isoxazolin-4-yl, 3-isoxazolin-4-yl, 4-isoxazolin-4-yl,
2-isoxazolin-5-yl, 3-isoxazolin-5-yl, 4-isoxazolin-5-yl, 2-isothiazolin-3-yl, 3-isothiazolin-
3-yl, 4-isothiazolin-3-yl, 2-isothiazolin-4-yl, 3-isothiazolin-4-yl, 4-isothiazolin-4-yl,
2-isothiazolin-5-yl, 3-isothiazolin-5-yl, 4-isothiazolin-5-yl, 2,3-dihydropyrazol-1-yl, 2,3-
dihydropyrazol-2-yl, 2,3-dihydropyrazol-3-yl, 2,3-dihydropyrazol-4-yl, 2,3-
dihydropyrazol-5-yl, 3,4-dihydropyrazol-1-yl, 3,4-dihydropyrazol-3-yl, 3,4-
dihydropyrazol-4-yl, 3,4-dihydropyrazol-5-yl, 4,5-dihydropyrazol-1-yl, 4,5-
dihydropyrazol-3-yl, 4,5-dihydropyrazol-4-yl, 4,5-dihydropyrazol-5-yl, 2,3-
dihydrooxazol-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-3-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-5-
yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-2-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-3-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-4-yl, 3,4-
dihydrooxazol-5-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-2-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-3-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-4-
yl, 2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl, 3-isoxazolyl, 4-isoxazolyl, 5-
isoxazolyl, 3-isothiazolyl, 4-isothiazolyl, 5-isothiazolyl, 3-pyrazolyl, 4-pyrazolyl,
5-pyrazolyl, 2-oxazolyl, 4-oxazolyl, 5-oxazolyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl,
2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl, 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl, 1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-
yl, 1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl, 1,2,4-triazol-3-yl, 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl, 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl,
1,3,4-triazol-2-yl, pyrrol-1-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, imidazol-1-yl, 1,2,3-triazol-1-yl and 1,2,4-
triazol-1-yl.
The present invention relates in particular to active compound concentrates of
compounds of the formula I in which R1 and R3 independently of one another are
preferably halogen, methyl, methylthio, methylsulfinyl or methylsulfonyl. R2 is in
particular a radical selected from the group consisting of thiazol-2-yl, thiazol-4-yl,
thiazol-5-yl, isoxazol-3-yl, isoxazol-4-yl, isoxazol-5-yl, 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl, 4,5-
dihydroisoxazol-4-yl and 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl, where the radicals mentioned above
are unsubstituted or may be substituted in the manner mentioned above and are in
particular unsubstituted or may carry 1 or 2 methyl groups as substituents. R2 is in
particular selected from the group consisting of isoxazol-5-yl, 3-methylisoxazol-5-yl,
4,5-di hydroisoxazol-3-y1, 5-methyI-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl, 5-ethyI-4,5-dihydro-
isoxazol-3-yl and 4,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl. R4 is in particular hydrogen. R5
is in particular methyl. R6 is in particular hydrogen or methyl. In particular, R1 is chlo-
rine, methyl or methylsulfonyl, R2 is hydrogen or 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl, R3 is chlorine
or methylsulfonyl, R4 is hydrogen, R5 is methyl and R6 is hydrogen or methyl.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the active compound
concentrates comprise a compound of the formula I in which R1 is methyl, R2 is 4,5-
dihydroisoxazol-3-yl, R3 is methylsulfonyl, R4 is hydrogen, R5 is methyl and R6 is

hydrogen, i.e. the component a) is 4-[2-methyl-3-(4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl)-4-
methylsulfonylbenzoyl]-1-methyl-5-hydroxy-1 H-pyrazole (common name:
topramezone).
Component b) of the active compound concentrates according to the invention can be
employed as a racemic mixture of diastereomers or in the form of a mixture comprising
one, two or three of the four diastereomers in enriched form. Particularly preferred
components are the "S-isomer" of dimethenamid, i.e. dimethenamid-P, and also
mixtures of the stereoisomers of this compound consisting predominantly of 1S-2-
chloro-N-(2,4-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1 -methylethyl)acetamide. From among
these, a particularly preferred component b) is pure dimethenamid-P or mixtures of the
stereoisomers of this compound in which the ratio of "S-isomer" (dimethenamid-P, i.e.
stereoisomers of dimethenamid having the S-configuration at the asymmetric carbon
atom of the 2-methoxy-1-methylethyl group) to "R-isomer" (stereoisomers having the
R-configuration at the asymmetric carbon atom of this group) is at least 8 : 2 and in
particular at least 9:1.
In addition to the active compounds of the formula I and dimethenamid or
dimethenamid-P, the non-aqueous active compound concentrates according to the
invention comprise at least one surfactant suitable for stabilizing the active
compound/solvent droplets formed on dilution with water in the aqueous diluent.
According to the invention, this is a mixture of at least one anionic surfactant and at
least one nonionic surfactant. The weight ratio of the at least one anionic surfactant to
the at least one nonionic surfactant is typically in the range of from 1 : 10 to 10 : 1.
Suitable anionic surfactants are, in principle, all anionic surfactants typically used for
stabilizing aqueous o/w emulsions. These are generally organic compounds having a
hydrophobic radical, typically a hydrocarbon radical having 6 to 40, frequently 6 to 30
and in particular 8 to 22, carbon atoms and at least one functional group which, in
aqueous media, is present in anionic form, for example a carboxylate, sulfonate,
sulfate, phosphonate, phosphate, hydrogen phosphate or dihydrogenphosphate group.
If appropriate, the anionic surfactants additionally have a poly-C2-C3-alkylene ether
group, in particular a polyethylene oxide group having 1 to 50, in particular 2 to 30, C2-
C3-alkylene oxide repeat units, in particular ethylene oxide repeat units.
Preferred anionic surfactants are those having at least one SO3 group (sulfate and/or
sulfonate) or one PO4 group (phosphate group). From among these, preference is
given to those anionic surfactants having at least one and in particular one aliphatic
hydrocarbon radical having 8 to 22 carbon atoms or one araliphatic hydrocarbon

radical having 10 to 26 carbon atoms. Such anionic surfactants are typically employed
in the form of their alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium salts, in particular in
the form of their sodium, potassium, calcium or ammonium salts. Here and below, the
term "aliphatic" is meant to include alkyl, alkenyl and alkadienyl and preferably
denotes alkyl. The term "aralkyl" denotes an aromatic hydrocarbon radical, such as
phenyl or naphthyl, and preferably denotes phenyl having one or more, in particular
one, alkyl group.
Examples of these are:
c.1. C8-C22-alkylsulfonates, such as laurylsulfonate and isotridecylsulfonate;
c.2. C8-C22-alkyl sulfates, such as lauryl sulfate, isotridecyl sulfate, cetyl sulfate and
stearyl sulfate;
c.3. aryl- and C4-C20-alkylarylsulfonat.es, such as naphthalenesulfonate, dibutyl-
naphthalenesulfonate, dodecyldiphenyl ether sulfonate, cumenesulfonate,
nonylbenzenesulfonate, dodecylbenzenesulfonate, isotridecylbenzenesulfonate;
c.4. sulfates and sulfonates of fatty acids having preferably 8 to 22 carbon atoms and
of fatty acid esters, for example sulfates and sulfonates of mono-, di- and
triglycerides and of C1-C18-alkyI C8-C22-alkanoates;
c.5. sulfates of ethoxylated C8-C22-alkanols, for example the sulfates of ethoxylated
lauryl alcohol, of ethoxylated isotridecanol, of ethoxylated C16-C18-alkanol
mixtures, of ethoxylated stearyl alcohol, etc.;
c.6. sulfates of ethoxylated hydroxyaromatics, in particular sulfates of ethoxylated
phenols, for example sulfates of ethoxylated C4-C22-alkylphenols, for example the
sulfates of ethoxylated octylphenol, of ethoxylated nonylphenol, of ethoxylated
dodecylphenol and of ethoxylated tridecylphenol, and also the sulfates of
ethoxylated mono-, di- or tristyrylphenols;
c.7. mono- and diesters of phosphoric acid, including mixtures thereof with triesters of
phosphoric acid, in particular the esters with C8-C22-alkanols, ethoxylated C8-C22-
alkanols, with C4-C22-alkylphenols, with ethoxylated C4-C22-alkylphenols, with
mono-, di- or tristyrylphenols, and also with ethoxylated mono-, di- or
tristyrylphenols, and mixtures thereof;
c.8. mono- and di-C4-C22-alkyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid, such as dihexyl
sulfosuccinate, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, and bis-2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate; and
also
c.9. condensates of naphthalenesulfonic acid or phenolsulfonic acid with
formaldehyde and, if appropriate, urea.

Preferred anionic surfactants for the non-aqueous active compound concentrates
according to the invention are those of groups c.1., c.2., c.3., c.5., c.6. and c.7., in
particular those having an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, i.e. an alkyl, alkenyl or
alkadienyl radical, having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and/or a C4-C22-alkylphenyl radical. In
a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the anionic surfactant
comprises at least one surfactant from groups c.2. and c.3. and at least one further
surfactant from group c.7.
Suitable nonionic surfactants are those having a poly-C2-C3-alkylene glycol ether
group, hereinbelow also referred to as poly-C2-C3-alkoxylates or as poly-C2-C3-alkylene
glycol ethers, and also polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide copolymers, in
particular block copolymers. Hereinbelow, the terms poly(ethylene glycol-co-propylene
glycol) and poly(ethoxylate-co-propoxylate) are used synonymously and denote
compounds having a poly-C2-C3-alkylene glycol ether group constructed of ethylene
oxide and propylene oxide repeat units.
Examples of preferred surfactants from the group of the poly-C2-C3-alkoxylates are in
particular
c.10. poly-C2-C3-alkylene glycol alkyl ethers, in particular polyethylene glycol alkyl
ethers and poly(ethylene glycol-co-propylene glycol) alkyl ethers of straight-chain
or branched C8-C22-alkanols, in particular polyethoxylates and poly(ethoxylate-
co-propoxylates) of fatty alcohols and of oxo alcohols, for example
polyethoxylates of lauryl alcohol, poly(ethoxylate-co-propoxylates) of lauryl
alcohol, polyethoxylates of isotridecanol, poly(ethoxylate-co-propoxylates) of
isotridecanol, polyethoxylates of cetyl alcohol, poly(ethoxylate-co-propoxylates) of
cetyl alcohol, polyethoxylates of stearyl alcohol and poly(ethoxylate-co-
propoxylates) of stearyl alcohol, and also the corresponding C1-C4-alkyl ethers, in
particular the methyl ethers, and the C1-C4-alkanoates of these compounds;
c.11. poly-C2-C3-alkylene glycol aryl ethers, in particular polyethoxylates and
poly(ethoxylate-co-propoxylates) of hydroxyaromatics, for example of C1-C22-
alkylphenols, such as, for example, the polyethoxylates and poly(ethoxylate-co-
propoxylates) of nonylphenol, decylphenol, isodecylphenol, dodecylphenol,
isotridecylphenol, of mono-, di- or tristyrylphenol and mixtures thereof, and also
the C1-C4-alkyl ethers, in particular the methyl ethers, and the C1-C4-alkanoat.es of
the abovementioned ethoxylates and poly(ethoxylate-co-propoxylates);
c.12. poly-C2-C3-alkoxylates, in particular polyethoxylates, of C8-C22-alkyl glucosides
and poly-C2-C3-alkoxylates, in particular polyethoxylates, of C8-C22-alkyl
polyglucosides;

c.13. poly-C2-C3-alkoxylates, in particular polyethoxylates and poly(ethoxylate-co-
propoxylates) of fatty amines, in particular polyethoxylates and poly(ethoxylate-
co-propoxylates) of stearylamine, tallow fatty amine, oleylamine and coco fatty
amine;
c.14. poly-C2-C3-alkoxylat.es, in particular polyethoxylates of fatty acids, for example
polyethoxylates of stearic acid, lauric acid, oleic acid, myristic acid, of mixtures of
the fatty acids mentioned above;
c.15. polyethoxylated fats and oils, for example polyethoxylates of coco oil, palm kernel
oil, tallow oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil or castor oil; and also
c.16. poly-C2-C3-alkoxylates, in particular polyethoxylates, of sorbitan fatty esters, for
example polyethoxylates of sorbitan mono-, di- or trioleate and mixtures thereof.
In the polyethoxylates mentioned above, the degree of ethoxylation (mean number of
repeat units derived from ethylene oxide in the molecule) is typically in the range of
from 2 to 100, in particular in the range of from 3 to 50 and especially in the range of
from 5 to 40. In the (poly)ethoxylate-co-propoxylates, the mean number of repeat units
derived from ethylene oxide is generally from 1 to 50, in particular from 2 to 40 and
especially from 3 to 30, and the mean number of repeat units derived from propylene
oxide is from 1 to 50, in particular from 2 to 40 and especially from 2 to 30.
The preferred nonionic surfactants also include copolymers, in particular block
copolymers, of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (hereinbelow referred to as EO/PO
copolymers). These are to be understood as meaning oligomeric or polymeric
polyether compounds constructed predominantly, i.e. to at least 90% by weight, of
repeat units EO (CH2-CH2-O) and PO (= CH2-CH(CH3)-O). From among these,
preference is given to ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers in which the
number of PO blocks and EO blocks is preferably 2 or, in particular, 3. Especially
preferred are triblock copolymers of the formulae below
Rx[EOx1][POy3][EOx2]ORx'
Rx[EOx1[]POy]Y-A-Y[POy2][EOx2]Rx'
RxtPOy^EOxsHPOy^OR*'
Here, the unit [POyi]A[POy2] is considered to be a PO block. In the formulae, Rx and Rx'
independently of one another are hydrogen or C1-C10-alkyl, and EO, PO are as defined
above. Independently of one another, the indices x1 and x2 have a value in the range
of from 2 to 100, in particular from 4 to 50. Independently of one another, the indices y1

and y2 have a value in the range of from 2 to 100, in particular from 4 to 50. The index
y3 typically denotes a value of from 2 to 160, in particular a value of from 4 to 100 and
especially of from 10 to 80. The index x3 typically denotes a value of from 4 to 200, in
particular a value of from 10 to 100 and especially of from 10 to 80. A is C4-C10-
alkanediyl or Cs-Cio-cycloalkanediyl. Y is oxygen or a radical NR in which R is
hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl or a group of the formula Rx[EOxi][POyi]. The number-average
molecular weight of the EO/PO copolymers is preferably in the range of from 300 to
10 000 dalton, in particular in the range of from 500 to 5000 dalton. The percentage of
EO repeat units is typically in the range of from 10 to 90% by weight, in particular in the
range of from 20 to 80% by weight, and the percentage of PO repeat units is typically in
the range of from 10 to 90% by weight, in particular in the range of from 20 to 80% by
weight, in each case based on the total weight of the EO/PO copolymer.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nonionic surfactant comprises
at least one surfactant of the group of the poly-C2-C3-alkoxylates, in particular from
groups c.10, c.11 and/or c.15., and/or a mixture of one or more, for example 1 or 2,
poly-C2-C3-alkoxylates with an EO/PO copolymer and especially an EO/PO block
copolymer.
Furthermore, as component D1, the active compound concentrates according to the
invention comprise at least one aprotic polar organic solvent having a miscibility with
water at 25°C and 1 bar of at least 50 g/l, in particular at least 100 g/l, and which is in
particular completely miscible with water. These include:
amides, N-C1-C4-alkylamides and N,N-C1-C4-dialkylamides of aliphatic carboxylic
acids having 1 to 12, in particular 1 to 6, carbon atoms, in particular the amides,
N-Ci-C2-alkylamides and N,N-Ci-C2-dialkylamides of formic acid, of acetic acid,
of propionic acid, of valeric acid and of capronic acid, such as formamide,
dimethylformamide, acetamide, propionamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide,
dimethylpropionamide and dimethylvaleramide;
sulfones and sulfoxides, such as sulfolane and dimethyl sulfoxide,
C1-C3-alkylnitriles, such as acetonitrile and propionitrile;
5-, 6- and 7-membered lactams which may have an N-C1-C4-alkyl group, in
particular a methyl group, at the nitrogen atom, for example pyrrolidone, N-C1-C4-
alkylpyrrolidones, such as N-methylpyrrolidone, N-ethylpyrrolidone, N-C1-C4-
alkylvalerolactams, such as N-methylvalerolactam, and also
5- or 6-membered lactones, such as y-butyrolactone.

Preferred aprotic polar solvents are the amides mentioned above and the N,N-C1-C4-
dialkylamides of aliphatic C1-C6-carboxylic acids, in particular the amides and
dimethylamides of these carboxylic acids, especially of formic acid, of acetic acid, of
propionic acid and of valeric acid, furthermore N-C1-C4-alkylpyrrolidones, especially
N-methylpyrrolidone, N-C1-C4-alkylvalerolactams, especially N-methylvalerolactam,
and also dimethyl sulfoxide, and mixtures thereof.
The aprotic polar organic solvent comprises in particular at least 80% by weight, based
on the total amount of aprotic polar organic solvent in the formulation, of one of the
abovementioned preferred aprotic polar solvents, in particular dimethyl sulfoxide and/or
N-methylpyrrolidone.
Furthermore, the non-aqueous active compound concentrate according to the invention
comprises at least one organic solvent which, at 25°C and 1 bar, has a solubility in
water of less than 5 g/l, in particular less than 1 g/l. These include in particular
hydrocarbon solvents and C1-C10-alkyl esters of fatty acids. The hydrocarbon solvents
are a hydrocarbon liquid at room temperature or a liquid hydrocarbon mixture as
typically used for preparing emulsifiable active compound concentrates. Suitable
hydrocarbons are alkanes having preferably 6 to 14 carbon atoms, cycloalkanes having
optionally 1, 2 ,3 or 4 C1-C4-alkyl groups and preferably a total of 6 to 14 carbon
atoms, aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, naphthalene, mono-, di- and tri-d-
C4-alkyl-substituted benzene, in particular toluene, xylenes, mesitylene, cumene and
also C1-C4-alkyl-substituted naphthalene and also mixtures of the hydrocarbons
mentioned above. Preference is given in particular to hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon
mixtures having a content of aromatic hydrocarbons of at least 50% by weight and in
particular at least 80% by weight. Preference is furthermore given to hydrocarbons and
hydrocarbon mixtures whose boiling point or whose minimum boiling point according to
ASTM D86 is at least 150°C, in particular 180°C and especially at least 200°C. Such
hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon mixtures are familiar to the person skilled in the art and
commercially available, for example under the names Shellsol® A of Shell AG and
under the name Solvesso®, for example under the names Solvesso® 100,
Solvesso®150, Solvesso®150 ND, Solvesso®200, Solvesso®200 ND and
Solvesso®200 S.
The alkyl esters of fatty acids include in particular the Ci-C6-alkyl esters and especially
the methyl esters of aliphatic saturated or unsaturated C6-C2o-monocarboxylic acids, in
particular the esters of capronic acid, enanthic acid, caprylic acid, pelargonic acid,
caprinic acid, undecanoic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid,
oleic acid or palmitoleic acid, and also mixtures of fatty acid Ci-C6-alkyl esters, in

particular fatty acid methyl esters, as obtained by transesterification of native
triglycerides with C1-C6-alkanols, especially methanol, for example soybean oil methyl
ester, rapeseed oil methyl ester, palmitic acid methyl ester, stearic acid methyl ester
and oleic acid methyl ester, and mixtures thereof.
Preference is given to hydrocarbon solvents.
In the non-aqueous active compound concentrates according to the invention, the
weight ratio of aprotic polar organic solvent to hydrocarbon solvent is preferably from
1 : 10 to 10 : 1, in particular from 1 : 5 to 5 : 1.
The total amount of organic solvent, i.e. aprotic polar organic solvent and hydrocarbon
solvent, is typically in the range of from 200 to 800 g/l and in particular in the range of
from 300 to 600 g/l.
The non-aqueous active compound concentrates according to the invention may
furthermore comprise customary components typically used in emulsion concentrates
of herbicidally active compounds. These include, for example, antifoams and
preservatives. Preferably, the percentage of these components does not exceed 5% by
weight and in particular 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the non-aqueous
active compound concentrate.
The non-aqueous active compound concentrates according to the invention can be
prepared analogously to the preparation of conventional emulsifiable concentrates.
Preferably, a solution of the at least one 4-benzoyl-substituted pyrazole compound I in
at least part of the aprotic polar solvent is first prepared. If appropriate, the preparation
of this solution is carried out with heating; however, temperatures of 80°C should
preferably not be exceeded. In general, the solution is prepared at ambient
temperature or in the range of from 10 to 50°C. The other components of the
formulation are then added to the solution obtained in this manner, it being possible to
add dimethenamid or dimethenamid-P in dissolved form or as a solid. Frequently, the
hydrocarbon solvent, dimethenamid or dimethenamid-P, the surfactants and, if appro-
priate, further components are added successively to the solution of the compound of
the formula I in the aprotic polar organic solvent, and the mixture obtained in this man-
ner is homogenized using suitable apparatus, for example using suitable stirrers, dis-
solves and the like, until a clear homogeneous mixture is obtained. The addition of
hydrocarbon solvent, dimethenamid or dimethenamid-P, surfactants and, if appropriate,
further components and the homogenization are typically carried out at ambient

temperature or in the range of from 10 to 50°C. The active compound concentrate
obtained in this manner can then be formulated and packaged in a customary manner.
A second subject matter of the present invention relates to an aqueous active
compound concentrate in accordance with the above definition.
In the aqueous active compound concentrates according to the invention, the active
compounds the formula I and dimethenamid are present in disperse form, i.e. in the
form of finely distributed particles. Here, the term "particle" embraces both solid active
compound particles and liquid active compound droplets. Without subscribing to any
theory, it is assumed that the predominant part of the at least one active compound of
the formula I is present in the form of solid active compounds particles, whereas the
predominant part of the dimethenamid is presumably present in the form of oily
droplets. The particle size of the active compound particles (solid active compound
particles and droplets) is typically not more than 50 μm, in particular 20 urn and espe-
cially 10 μm (the dgo value, i.e. the value which is exceeded by at most 10% by weight
of the active compound particles present in the concentrate). The weight-average
particle size (dso value) is typically in the range of from 0.1 to 10 μm and in particular in
the range of from 0.5 to 5 μm. The values given here refer to the values determined by
quasi-elastic light scattering using dilute aqueous samples of the active compound
concentrates (rate of dilution 1 : 20 to 1 : 200).
According to the invention, the aqueous active compound concentrates comprise at
least one nonionic surfactant or a mixture thereof with at least one anionic surfactant.
According to the invention, the total concentration of surfactants, i.e. the concentration
of nonionic surfactant plus any anionic surfactants present, if appropriate, is in the
range of from 10 to 200 g/l, in particular in the range of from 15 to 150 g/l and
especially in the range of from 20 to 100 g/l. If the aqueous active compound
concentrates according to the invention comprise a mixture of at least one nonionic
surface-active compound and at least one anionic surface-active compound, the weight
ratio of nonionic surfactant to anionic surfactant is preferably from 100 : 1 to 10 : 1, in
particular from 50 : 1 to 5 : 1.
Suitable nonionic surfactants are, in principle, all nonionic surfactants mentioned above
for the non-aqueous active compound concentrates, preferably nonionic surfactants
from the group of the poly(C2-C3-alkoxylates), for example substances from groups
c.10. to c.16, in particular nonionic surfactants from groups c.10, c.11 and c.12. From
among these, particular preference is given to the poly(ethoxylate-co-propoxylates) of
groups c.10. and c.11. Such compounds can be described by the general formula (III)

R-0-[(A-0)x;(E-0)y]R' (III)
in which
R is C10-C22-alkyl, C8-C22-alkylphenyl, mono-, di- or tristyryl,
R' is hydrogen, C1-C10-alkyl, benzyl, formyl or C1-C10-alkylcarbonyl, in particular
hydrogen,
A is CH(CH3)CH2,
E is CH2CH2,
x is a number in the range of from 1 to 30, in particular from 1 to 10, and
y is a number in the range of from 2 to 50, in particular from 2 to 30.
Suitable nonionic surfactants in particular also include ethylene oxide/propylene oxide
copolymers as already mentioned in connection with the non-aqueous active
compound concentrates, in particular the triblock copolymers mentioned there.
In a preferred embodiment, the nonionic surfactant comprises at least one nonionic
surfactant of groups c. 10 to c. 16, in particular of groups c. 10. and/or c. 11, and
especially at least one nonionic surfactant of the general formula III, and also, if
appropriate, at least one EO/PO copolymer, especially an EO/PO block copolymer of
the type described above. In this embodiment, the weight ratio of the at least one
surfactant of groups c.10. to c.16 to the EO/PO copolymer(s) is typically in the range of
from 100 : 1 to 1 : 1 and especially in the range of from 50 : 1 to 5 : 1.
In addition, the aqueous active compound concentrate according to the invention may
also comprise one or more anionic surfactants. In principle, suitable surfactants are all
those which have been mentioned above in connection with the non-aqueous active
compound concentrates, in particular anionic surfactants of groups c.1 to c.9. and
especially anionic surfactants of group c.9.
The aqueous active compound concentrates according to the invention may addition-
ally also comprise further substances which are not directly relevant to the aim of the
compositions, but which improve their applicability and/or practical properties.
Examples of these are in particular
- viscosity-regulating substances (thickeners),
- preservatives,
- antifoams,
- agents for adjusting the pH,

- antifreeze agents.
Such substances are familiar to the person skilled in the art. The total amount of such
substances will generally not exceed 10% by weight (= about 100 g/l), based on the
active compound concentrate, and is typically in the range of from 0.1 to 10% by weight
(= 1 to 100 g/l), based on the total weight of the active compound concentrate.
The viscosity-modifying additives (thickeners) include in particular compounds which
are known to impart pseudoplastic flow behavior to aqueous formulations, i.e. high
viscosity in the state of rest and low viscosity in the state of motion. Suitable are, in
principle, all compounds used for this purpose in aqueous active compound
concentrates. Mention may be made, for example, of inorganic substances, such as
bentonite or attapulgite (for example Attaclay® from Engelhardt), and organic
substances, such as polysaccharides and heteropolysaccharides, such as Xanthan
Gum® (Kelzan® from Kelco), Rhodopol® 23 (Rhone Poulenc) or Veegum® (from R.T.
Vanderbilt), with Xanthan-Gum® preferably being used. The amount of viscosity-
modifying additives is frequently from 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the total weight of
the active compound concentrate.
Suitable antifoams are, for example, silicone emulsions (Silikon® SRE, from Wacker, or
Rhodorsil®, from Rhodia), long-chain alcohols, fatty acids, defoamers of the type of
aqueous wax dispersions, solid defoamers ("compounds"), organofluorine compounds
and mixtures thereof known for this purpose. The amount of antifoam is typically from
0.1 to 3% by weight, calculated as foam-active substance and based on the total
weight of the active compound concentrate.
Examples of preservatives are those based on isothiazolones, for example Proxel®
from ICI or Acticide® RS from Thor Chemie or Kathon® MK from Rohm & Haas. The
amount of preservatives, if present, is typically from 0.05 to 0.5% by weight, based on
the total weight of the active compound concentrate.
Suitable antifreeze agents are liquid alkanols, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol,
n-butanol, polyols, for example ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or glycerol. The
amount of antifreeze agents, if present, is generally from 1 to 10% by weight, based on
the total weight of the active compound concentrate.
The aqueous active compound concentrates according to the invention can be
prepared analogously to known processes for preparing suspension concentrates or
suspoemulsion concentrates comprising at least two different active compounds.

To this end, in general, an aqueous suspension of the at least one active compound of
the formula I and, separately therefrom, an aqueous suspension or emulsion of
dimethenamid are prepared, and the two suspensions or the suspension and the
emulsion are combined to give the aqueous active compound concentrate according to
the invention. The suspensions of the compounds I, like the suspensions or emulsions
of dimethenamid, can be prepared analogously to the preparation of aqueous
suspension concentrates of organic crop protection agents.
For example, a first aqueous suspension of the at least one active compound of the
formula I can be prepared by initially preparing an aqueous slurry of the at least one
active compound of the formula I, followed by grinding to achieve the desired particle
size. In general, the aqueous slurry comprises part of the surfactants present in the
concentrate, for example an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymer and, if
appropriate, an anionic surfactant, and also, if appropriate, defoamers and, if
appropriate, part or all of the antifreeze agent. Water and further components, for
example the residual amount of antifreeze agent, thickener and biocide, can then be
added to the aqueous suspension, obtained in this manner, of the at least one active
compound I, the auxiliaries typically being added in the form of an aqueous solution.
The aqueous emulsion or suspension of dimethenamid can be prepared in a manner
known per se analogously to the preparation of aqueous concentrates of
dimethenamid. Frequently, an aqueous solution comprising at least part of the
surfactants, in particular at least one surfactant of the formula III, is initially charged,
and dimethenamid is suspended or emulsified therein, if appropriate with heating. The
aqueous initial charge may additionally comprise part or all of the further components
of the aqueous active compound concentrate, for example thickener, biocide, part of
the antifreeze agent and, if appropriate, defoamer.
The suspension of the at least one active compound of the formula I is then combined
by mixing with the aqueous suspension or emulsion of the dimethenamid, for example
with stirring, giving the finished formulation. It is, of course, also possible to add part of
the optional additives subsequently thereto, preferably in the form of an aqueous
solution.
The non-aqueous active compound concentrates according to the invention, like the
aqueous active compound concentrates according to the invention, are suitable in a
manner known per se for controlling unwanted vegetation. The active compound
concentrates according to the invention are particularly suitable for controlling

unwanted vegetation on non-crop areas, especially at high application rates. In crops
such as cereals, for example wheat, rye, barley, oats, millet and triticale, and also in
corn, they act against broad-leaved weeds and weed grasses without causing any
significant damage to the crop plants. This effect is mainly observed at low rates of
application.
Depending on the application method in question, the active compound concentrates
according to the invention can additionally be employed in a further number of crop
plants for eliminating unwanted plants.
In addition, the active compound concentrates can also be used in crops which tolerate
the action of herbicides owing to breeding, including genetic engineering methods.
The active compound concentrates are generally applied in the form of an aqueous
spray liquor. To this end, the active compound concentrates according to the invention
are, depending on the application rate, diluted with water to a multiple of their volume,
for example 10- to 10 000-fold, in particular 20- to 1000-fold. The active compound
concentration in the spray liquor is then typically in the range of from 10 mg/l to 10 g/l.
Application may be by the pre-emergence method, by the post-emergence method or
together with the seed of a crop plant. It is also possible to apply the active compounds
of the formula I and dimethenamid or dimethenamid-P present in the active compound
concentrates using the active compound concentrates according to the invention by
treating seed of a crop plant with an aqueous dilution of the active compound
concentrates and sowing the seed treated in this manner. If the active compounds
present in the active compound concentrates according to the invention are less well
tolerated by certain crop plants, application techniques may be used in which the
application forms prepared using the active compound concentrates are sprayed, with
the aid of the spraying equipment, in such a way that as far as possible they do not
come into contact with the leaves of the sensitive crop plants, while the active
compounds reach the leaves of unwanted plants growing underneath, or the bare soil
surface (post-directed, lay-by).
Based on the total amount of active compound, the application rates are, depending on
the control target, the season, the target plants and the growth stage, from 0.001 to
3.0, preferably from 0.01 to 1.0, kg of active substance (a.s.)/ha.
To widen the activity spectrum and to achieve synergistic effects, the active compound
concentrates may, prior to application, be mixed with numerous representatives of

other herbicidal or growth-regulating groups of active compounds and then applied
jointly, for example by the tank-mix method. Suitable components for mixtures are, for
example, 1,2,4-thiadiazoles, 1,3,4-thiadiazoles, amides, aminophosphoric acid and
derivatives thereof, aminotriazoles, anilides, (het)aryloxyalkanoic acid and derivatives
thereof, benzoic acid and derivatives thereof, benzothiadiazinones, 2-aroyl-1,3-
cyclohexanediones, 2-hetaroyl-1,3-cyclohexanediones, hetaryl aryl ketones, benzyli-
soxazolidinones, meta-CF3-phenyl derivatives, carbamates, quinolinecarboxylic acid
and derivatives thereof, chloroacetanilides, cyclohexenone oxime ether derivatives,
diazines, dichloropropionic acid and derivatives thereof, dihydrobenzofurans, dihydrofu-
ran-3-ones, dinitroanilines, dinitrophenols, diphenyl ethers, dipyridyls, halocarboxylic
acids and derivatives thereof, ureas, 3-phenyluracils, imidazoles, imidazolinones, N-
phenyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimides, oxadiazoles, oxiranes, phenols, aryloxy- or het-
eroaryloxyphenoxypropionic esters, phenylacetic acid and derivatives thereof, phenyl-
propionic acid and derivatives thereof, pyrazoles, phenylpyrazoles, pyridazines, pyridi-
necarboxylic acid and derivatives thereof, pyrimidyl ethers, sulfonamides, sulfony-
lureas, triazines, triazinones, triazolinones, triazolecarboxamides and uracils.
It may furthermore be beneficial to mix the active compound concentrates prior to
application with other crop protection agents, followed by joint application, for example
with agents for controlling pests or phytopathogenic fungi or bacteria. Also of interest is
the miscibility with mineral salt solutions, which are employed for treating nutritional
and trace element deficiencies. It is also possible to add nonphytotoxic oils and oil
concentrates.
The examples below serve to illustrate the invention in more detail and are not to be
understood as limitations.
Feedstocks:
Topramezone (active compound of the formula I, in which R1 and R5 are each
methyl, R2 is 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl, R3 is methylsulfonyl, R4 and R6 are
hydrogen);
Dimethenamid-P
Emulsifier 1: mixture of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, castor oil ethoxylate,
EO/PO triblock copolymer and the phosphate ester of a fatty alcohol having a
surfactant content of > 85% by weight
Emulsifier 2: EO/PO triblock copolymer having a molecular weight of 6500 and a
propylene oxide percentage of 50% by weight
Emulsifier 3: sodium salt of a phenolsulfonic acid/formaldehyde condensate
Emulsifier 4: mixture of poly(ethoxylate-co-propoxylates) of tristyrylphenol

Thickener: xanthan-gum
Defoamer: commercial polydimethylsiloxane/filler emulsion (Wacker Silikon SRE-
PFL) (active content 20% by weight)
Microbiocide: formulation comprising a mixture of 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and
2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, active content 5% by weight (Aktizide MBS from
Thor Chemie GmbH)
Hydrocarbon solvent: aromatic hydrocarbon mixture having a content of aromatic
compounds of at least 99% by weight and a minimum boiling point, determined
according to ASTM 86 to 99, in the range of from 235 to 248°C and a maximum
boiling point in the range of from 290 to 305°C (Solvesso® 200 from Exxon
Mobil)
Example 1: Preparation of a non-aqueous active compound concentrate
In a stirred tank, 219 g of N-methylpyrrolidone were initially charged, 32 g of
topramezone were added and the mixture was stirred until a clear homogeneous
mixture was obtained. With stirring, 219 g of hydrocarbon solvent, 32 g of
topramezone and 112 g of emulsifier 1 were added in succession, and the
mixture was stirred until it was homogeneous. The mixture obtained was a
reddish-brown liquid comprising 538 g of dimethenamid-P/l and about 32 g of
topramezone/l.
The density, determined at 20°C, was about 1.11 to 1.12 g/cm3. The viscosity,
determined using a rotation viscosimeter according to OECD test procedure 114,
was about 20 to 35 mPas. After two weeks of storage at 54°C, the sample sho-
wed no visible changes. The foam height of a 0.3% by weight strength dilution,
determined according to Ross-Miles (ASTM-D 1173 53) was not more than 30
mm. The emulsion stability according to CIPAC MT was 36.3.
Example 2: Preparation of a non-aqueous active compound concentrate
In a stirred tank, 219 g of dimethyl sulfoxide were initially charged, 32 g of
topramezone were added and the mixture was stirred until a clear homogeneous
mixture was obtained. With stirring, 219 g of hydrocarbon solvent, 32 g of
topramezone and 112 g of emulsifier 1 were added in succession, and the
mixture was stirred until it was homogeneous. The mixture obtained was a
reddish-brown liquid comprising 538 g of dimethenamid-P/l and about 32 g of
topramezone/l.

The density, determined at 20°C, was about 1.11 to 1.12 g/cm3. The viscosity,
determined using a rotation viscosimeter according to OECD test procedure 114,
was about 20 to 35 mPa-s. After two weeks of storage at 54°C, the sample sho-
wed no visible changes. The foam height of a 0.3% by weight strength dilution,
determined according to Ross-Miles (ASTM-D 1173 53) was not more than 30
mm.
Example 3: Preparation of a non-aqueous active compound concentrate
In a stirred tank, 219 g of N-methylpyrrolidone were initially charged, 32 g of
topramezone were added and the mixture was stirred until a clear homogeneous
mixture was obtained. With stirring, 219 g of hydrocarbon solvent, 32 g of
topramezone and 112 g of a mixture of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and
emulsifier 5 in a weight ratio of 1:1 were added in succession, and the mixture
was stirred until it was homogeneous. The mixture obtained was a reddish-brown
liquid comprising 538 g of dimethenamid-P/l and about 32 g of topramezone/l.
The density, determined at 20°C, was about 1.11 to 1.12 g/cm3. The viscosity,
determined using a rotation viscosimeter according to OECD test procedure 114,
was about 20 to 35 mPa-s.
Example 4: Preparation of an aqueous active compound concentrate according to the
invention
1. In a stirred vessel, 400 g of demineralized water were initially charged, and 60 g
of 1,2 propylene glycol, 20 g of emulsifier 3 and 166.7 g of an 18% by weight
strength aqueous solution of emulsifier 2 were added successively. The mixture
was stirred until a homogeneous clear solution was obtained, and 343.9 g of
industrial-grade topramezone having a topramezone content of 97.7% by weight
and 1 g of defoamer were then added successively. The suspension obtained in
this manner was cooled to about 15°C and then passed through a rotor/stator mill
and subsequently, with cooling, through a bead mill until the desired particle size
distribution was achieved. In this manner, an aqueous topramezone suspension
was obtained in which 80% by weight of the particles had a diameter below 2 urn.
2. In a stirred vessel, 10 g of 1,2-propylene glycol and 119.4 g of demineralized wa-
ter were initially charged, and 3 g of thickener and then 2 g of the microbiocide
were then added successively with stirring. With stirring, the solution obtained in

this manner was then added to the suspension obtained in step 1, and a further
4 g of the defoamer were then added with stirring. In this manner, an aqueous
suspension was obtained which contained about 336 g of topramezone/l and had
a viscosity, determined according OECD 114, of about 60 to 100 mPa-s. The par-
ticle size distribution was characterized by a dm of 3. With stirring, 44.4 g of 1,2-propylene glycol, 44.4 g of emulsifier 3 and 66.6 g of a
2% by weight strength aqueous solution of the thickener comprising 1.6% by
weight of the biocide to 285.7 g of demineralized water. With stirring, 561 g of
dimethenamid-P was added at 23°C to this solution, and the mixture was stirred
until a stable emulsion was obtained. Subsequently, 107.6 g of the suspension
obtained in step 2 were added to the emulsion obtained in this manner, and
stirring was continued for 10 minutes.
In this manner, an aqueous suspoemulsion was obtained which had a
dimethenamid-P content of about 538 g and a topramezone content of about
32 g/l. The density was about 1.11 g/cm3. The viscosity, determined using a rota-
tion viscosimeter according to OECD test procedure 114, was about 70 to
90 mPa-s. The dgo was below 7 urn and the d50 was below 1.5 urn. The pH of an
about 1 % by weight strength dilution in demineralized water was in the range of
from about 2.5 to 4.5.

Patent claims
1. A non-aqueous active compound concentrate, comprising
a) from 10 to 100 g/l of at least one 4-benzoyl-substituted pyrazole compound
of the formula I

in which
R1 R3 independently of one another are hydrogen, halogen, methyl,
halomethyl, methoxy, halomethoxy, methylthio, methylsulfinyl or
methylsulfonyl;
R2 is a 5-membered heterocyclic radical which is unsubstituted or
carries 1, 2, 3 or 4 substituents selected from the group consisting
of halogen, C1-C-6-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-haloalkyl, C1-C4-
haloalkoxy and C1-C4-alkylthio;
R4 is hydrogen, halogen or methyl;
R5 is C1-C6-alkyI, C3-C6-cycloalkyl or C3-C6-cycloalkylmethyl; and
R6 is hydrogen or C1-C4-alkyl;
or one of its agriculturally useful salts,
b) from 200 to 700 g/l of 2-chloro-N-(2,4-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1 -
methylethyl)acetamide, and
c) from 10 to 200 g/l of at least one surfactant S selected from a mixture of at
least one anionic surfactant and at least one nonionic surfactant,
where the components a), b) and c) are present dissolved in a mixture of organic
solvents consisting to at least 95% by weight, based on the solvent mixture, of
d1) at least one aprotic polar organic solvent having a miscibility with water at
25°C and 1 bar of at least 50 g/l, and
d2) at least one organic solvent having a solubility in water at 25°C and 1 bar of
less than 5 g/l.

2. The active compound concentrate according to claim 1 in which the mixture of
organic solvents comprises from 200 to 800 g/l of the formulation.
3. The active compound concentrate according to claim 1 or 2 in which the aprotic
polar organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide,
sulfolane, the amides, N-C1-C4-alkylamides and N,N-di(C1-C4-alkyl)amides of
aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, N-C1-C4-alkyl-
lactams and mixtures thereof.
4. The active compound concentrate according to claim 3 in which the aprotic polar
organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide,
N-methylpyrrolidone, N-ethylpyrrolidone and mixtures thereof.
5. The active compound concentrate according to any of the preceding claims in
which the weight ratio of aprotic polar solvent to hydrocarbon solvent is in the
range of from 5:1 to 1:5.

6. The active compound concentrate according to any of the preceding claims in
which the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of compounds
comprising at least one S03 group or one P04 group and at least one aliphatic
hydrocarbon radical having 8 to 22 carbon atoms or an araliphatic hydrocarbon
radical having 10 to 24 carbon atoms.
7. The active compound concentrate according to any of the preceding claims in
which the nonionic surfactant comprises, as main component, at least one poly-
C2-C3-alkylene glycol ether compound.
8. An aqueous active compound concentrate, comprising

a) from 10 to 100 g/l of at least one 4-benzoyl-substituted pyrazole compound of
the formula I as defined in claim 1,
b) from 200 to 700 g/l of 2-chloro-N-(2,4-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-
methylethyl)acetamide, and
c) from 10 to 200 g/l of at least one surfactant S selected from nonionic
surfactants and mixtures thereof with at least one anionic surfactant,

where the components a) and b) are present in disperse form in an aqueous
diluent.
9. The active compound concentrate according to claim 8 where the nonionic
surfactant comprises, as main component, a compound of the formula III
R-0-[(A-O)x;(E-O)y]R' (III)
in which
R is C-10-C22-alkyl, C8-C22-alkylphenyl, mono-, di- or tristyryl,
R' is hydrogen, C1-C10-alkyl, benzyl, formyl or C1-C10-alkylcarbonyl,
A is CH(CH3)CH2,
E is CH2CH2,
x is a number in the range from 1 to 30 and
y is a number in the range from 2 to 50.
10. The active compound concentrate according to claim 9 where the nonionic
surfactant additionally comprises at least one ethylene oxide/propylene oxide
block copolymer.
11. The active compound concentrate according to any of the preceding claims
wherein the weight ratio of compound I to 2-chloro-N-(2,4-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-N-
(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide is in the range of from 1:5 to 1:50.
12. The active compound concentrate according to any of the preceding claims,
comprising 2-chloro-N-(2,4-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1 -
methylethyl)acetamide in the form of its (S)-enantiomers or in the form of a non-
racemic mixture of the two enantiomers having an enantiomeric excess of the S-
enantiomer of at least 80%.
13. The active compound concentrate according to any of the preceding claims
where in formula I R1 and R5 are each methyl, R2 is 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl, R4
is methylsulfonyi and R6 is hydrogen.
14. The use of an active compound concentrate according to any of claims 1 to 13
for controlling unwanted vegetation.
15. A method for controlling unwanted vegetation which comprises preparing an
aqueous spray liquor by diluting an active compound concentrate according to

any of claims 1 to 13 and allowing the spray liquor to act on plants, their seeds
and/or their habitat.
16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the leaves of the unwanted plants are
treated with the aqueous spray liquor.

The present invention relates to active ingredient
concentrates having an herbicidal effect, comprising: a) 10 to 100
g/L of at least one 4-benzoyl-substituted pyrazol compound of
the formula (I), wherein R1 , R3 independently of each other stand
for hydrogen, halogen, hethyl, halogen methyl, methoxy, halogen
methoxy, methylthio, methyl sulfinyl, or methyl sulfonyl; R2 stands
for a 5-membered heterocyclic residue, which is unsubstituted, or
carries 1, 2, 3, or 4 subsrituents, which are selected from halogen,
C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C4-akoxy, C1-C4-halogen alkyl, C1-C4-halogen
alkoxy, and C1-C4-alkylfhio; R4 stands for hydrogen, halogen, or
methyl; R5 stands for C1-C6-alkyl, C3-C6-cycloalkyl, or C3-C6-cycloalkylmefhyl; and R6 stands for hydrogen, or C1-C4-Alkyl; or one
of its salts used in agriculture, b) 200 to 700 g/L 2-chlorine-N-(2,4-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-N-(2-methoxy-l-methylethyl)-acetamide,
and 25 c) 10 to 200 g/L of at least a surface-active substance S, which is selected from a mixture of at least one anionic surface-active
compound, and at least one non-ionic surface-active compound, wherein the components a), b), and c) are dissolved in an organic
solvent mixture, which comprises at least 95 wt.-%, based on the solvent mixture, of d1) at least one aprotic polar organic solvent,
which has a miscibility with water at 25°C and 1 bar of at least 50 g/1, and d2) at least one organic solvent, which has a solubility in
water at 25°C and 1 bar of less than 5 g/1.

Documents:

248-KOLNP-2009-(07-05-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(07-05-2014)-FORM-3.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(10-10-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(10-10-2013)-FORM-3.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(14-11-2013)-FORM-13.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(18-10-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(18-10-2013)-OTHERS.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(26-02-2013)-ABSTRACT.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(26-02-2013)-ANNEXURE TO FORM-3.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(26-02-2013)-CLAIMS.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(26-02-2013)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(26-02-2013)-DRAWINGS.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(26-02-2013)-FORM-1.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(26-02-2013)-FORM-2.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(26-02-2013)-OTHERS.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(26-02-2013)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137-1.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(26-02-2013)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(27-08-2014)-CLAIMS.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(27-08-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-(29-01-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-abstract.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-ASSIGNMENT.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-claims.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-CORRESPONDENCE-1.1.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-correspondence.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-description (complete).pdf

248-kolnp-2009-drawings.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-form 1.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-form 18.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-FORM 3-1.1.pdf

248-KOLNP-2009-FORM 3.1.2.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-form 3.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-form 5.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-gpa.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-international publication.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-pct priority document notification.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-pct request form.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-specification.pdf

248-kolnp-2009-translated copy of priority document.pdf

301-KOLNP-2008-(18-10-2013)-ANNEXURE TO FORM 3.pdf

301-KOLNP-2008-(18-10-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

301-KOLNP-2008-(18-10-2013)-OTHERS.pdf

abstract-248-kolnp-2009.jpg


Patent Number 265399
Indian Patent Application Number 248/KOLNP/2009
PG Journal Number 09/2015
Publication Date 27-Feb-2015
Grant Date 23-Feb-2015
Date of Filing 19-Jan-2009
Name of Patentee BASF SE
Applicant Address 67056 LUDWIGSHAFEN
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 BERGHAUS, RAINER ROTKEHLCHENWEG 25, 67346 SPEYER
2 KRAPP, MICHAEL AHORNWEG 4, 67122 ALTRIP
3 BRATZ, MATTHIAS KURPFALZSTR.41, 67133 MAXDORF
4 KIBLER, ELMAR IM WACHTELSCHLAG 13, 67454 HASSLOCH
5 VANTIEGHEM, HERVE R. MÖRIKESTR. 5, 76297 STUTENSEE
PCT International Classification Number A01N 25/32
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2007/058091
PCT International Filing date 2007-08-03
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 06118445.3 2006-08-04 EUROPEAN UNION