Method for improving the water transport characteristics of hydrophobic surfaces

A method for inhibiting the formation of dew on grass, other plant surfaces, or other hydrophobic surfaces comprising the application of an effective amount of a compound having the formula:

• wherein R and R′ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-24 alkyl, aryl, C1-24 alkylaryl, aryl(C1-24)alkyl, —C(═O)—R1 (esters), C(═O)—NHR1 (urethanes), or C(═O)—O—R1 (carbonates) wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of C1-24 alkyl, aryl, C1-24 alkylaryl, C1-24 arylalkyl;
• A is an organic moiety derived from the group consisting of alkylene oxides having 4-12 carbon atoms and aryl epoxides having 8-12 carbon atoms;
• x=1-300;
• y=0-200;
• z=0-200;
• and with the proviso that R and R′ can not be H or ether functionality at the same time.

A process for increasing the wetting rate of water repellent soil which comprises the steps of:

• (i) preparing an aqueous wetting agent composition comprising:
• (a) a compound of the formula
• wherein R and R′ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-24 alkyl, aryl, C1-24 alkylaryl, aryl(C1-24)alkyl, —C(═O)—R1 (esters), C(═O)—NHR1 (urethanes), or C(═O)—O—R1 (carbonates) wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of C1-24 alkyl, aryl, C1-24 alkylaryl, C1-24 arylalkyl;
• A is an organic moiety derived from the group consisting of alkylene oxides having 4-12 carbon atoms and aryl epoxides having 8-12 carbon atoms;
• x=1-300;
• y=0-200;
• z=0-200;
• and with the proviso that R and R′ can not be H or ether functionality at the same time;
• (b) a surfactant;
• and
• (c) an aqueous or non-aqueous solvent;
• and
• (ii) intimately contacting said water repellent soil with an effective amount of said wetting agent composition such that the compound of formula I will provide a measurable increase in the wetting rate of the soil.

A compound having the formula:

• wherein R and R′ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-24 alkyl aryl, C1-24 alkylaryl, aryl(C1-24)alkyl, —C(═O)—R1 (esters), C(═O)—NHR1 (urethanes), or C(═O)—O—R1 (carbonates) wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of C1-24 alkyl, aryl, C1-24 alkylaryl, C1-24 arylalkyl;
• A is an organic moiety derived from the group consisting of alkylene oxides having 4-12 carbon atoms and aryl epoxides having 8-12 carbon atoms;
• x=1-300;
• y=0-200;
• z=0-200;
• and with the proviso that R and R′ can not be H or ether functionality at the same time.

A method for improvement and prevention of dry spots on the grass surface of a golf course comprising applying an effective amount of a compound of the formula:

• wherein R and R′ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-24 alkyl, aryl, C1-24 alkylaryl, aryl(C1-24)alkyl, —C(═O)—R1 (esters), C(═O)—NHR1 (urethanes), or C(═O)—O—R1 (carbonates) wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of C1-24 alkyl, aryl, C1-24 alkylaryl, C1-24 arylalkyl;
• A is an organic moiety derived from the group consisting of alkylene oxides having 4-12 carbon atoms and aryl epoxides having 8-12 carbon atoms;
• x=1-300;
• y=0-200;
• z=0-200;
• and with the proviso that R and R′ can not be H or ether functionality at the same time.