Chemical Stabilization Study for Sulfonylurea Herbicides

Sulfonylurea계(系) 제초제(除草劑)의 화학적(化學的) 안정성(安定性)

Sulfonylureas are highly active herbicides which can be applied at very low rate(10-50g/ha) to control broadleaf weeds. The nature of this category of compound is, however, very unstable toward hydrolysis. Therefore, the preparation of these compounds as liquid formulation was not possible. Most of the current formulations of sulfonylurea are in dry forms such as water dispersible granule or wettable powder. Even in these dry forms, the active ingredients also encounter significant chemical decomposition. This study involves the preparation of the sulfonylurea salts by reacting the parent compound with base such as sodium hydroxide. The salt becomes stable toward hydrolysis and it turns soluble when diluted with water. This discovery makes the preparation for liquid formulation or soluble granule of sulfonylurea possible. The stoichiometry of base added to the neutral sulfonylurea is controlled quite precisely. The base has to be added enough to quench the acidic impurities in the technical material and to convert the active ingredient into salt. However, the base should not be overused to cause further saponification of the sulfonylurea salts. The chemical nature of these compounds is presented and the chemical reaction is described. New soluble liquid formulation and solid granule formulation of sulfonylurea are suggested.