Foam control agents for silicone surfactants in agriculture

Abstract

The present invention teaches silicone polyether copolymers with a low degree of polymerization (3 to 4 Si units) provide control for foams generated by organosilicone based surfactants in water without the need for an additional antifoam component. The copolymer foam control agent is a compound of the formula (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SiO[SiO(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ].sub.X [SiOCH.sub.3 R.sup.1 ].sub.Y Si(CH.sub.3).sub.3 wherein X+Y=1 to 2, Y.gtoreq.1, R.sup.1 is an alkyleneoxide group of the formula C.sub.a H.sub.2a O(C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.z R.sup.2 wherein a=3 to 4, z is 1 to 15, R.sup.2 is hydrogen, a hydrocarbon radical of 1 to 4 carbons or acetyl. This invention provides compositions for use in agricultural formulations that give improved foam control for foams generated from organosilicone surfactants in aqueous systems. The copolymer foam control agent is soluble in a surfactant matrix comprised of an organosilicone surfactant alone or in mixtures with short chain conventional surfactants. This invention provides clear, homogeneous, low foaming agricultural formulations having of a water insoluble copolymer foam control agent, and a water soluble or dispersible trisiloxane or tetrasiloxane alkoxylates when said formulation is used in an aqueous mixture.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.