Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the synthesis and purification of 3-chloro-N-(3-chloro-5-tri-fluoromethyl-2-pyridyl)-a,a,a-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine (fluazinam) and other pyridinamines, which implements methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as the reaction solvent. The process of the invention overcomes the drawbacks of prior art methods, by reducing the side reactions such as hydrolysis, eliminating the need for difficult and labor-intensive purification methods, and providing pure products in higher yields. The present invention relates to novel crystalline polymorphic forms fluazinam, and to mixtures of the polymorphs. The present invention also provides methods for preparing the novel polymorphs, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, and methods of using the polymorphs as pesticidal agents for combating noxious living organisms on agricultural and horticultural crops.

Abstract: A sheet for pest control, wherein said sheet is of polymeric material and comprises at least two layers; a top layer and a bottom layer, wherein the bottom layer contains a herbicide and one or more pesticides selected from among fungicides and insecticides, and the top layer optionally containing an insecticide and/or fungicide. Other aspects of the invention include a polymeric composition used in the preparation of the sheets and a method for pest control in agriculture, horticulture and gardens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling woolly apple aphid insect comprising contacting the insect or a locus, where control of the insect is desired, with a combination of at least one neonicotinoid compound and at least one benzoylphenyl urea compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel crystalline polymorphs, solvate pseudomorphs and amorphous form of 5-amino-1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfinyl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonitrile (fipronil). The present invention also provides methods for preparing the novel polymorphs, pseudomorphs and amorphous form, as well as insecticidal or pesticidal compositions comprising same, and methods of use thereof as pesticidal agents.

Abstract: There is disclosed a crystalline DMSO solvate of prothioconazole as well as amorphous prothioconazole. Methods for making these solid forms, microbicidal compositions comprising them and uses thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel crystalline polymorphic and amorphous forms of the compound (E)-2-{2-[6-(2-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl}-3-methoxy-acrylate(azoxystrobin). Infrared Raman spectra, X-ray powder diffraction pattern and differential scanning calorimetry thermogram of two polymorphs “A” and “B” are provided. Further, the present invention also provides methods for preparing the novel polymorphic forms “A” and “B”, as well as processes for producing mixtures of the polymorphs, and a process for preparing amorphous azoxystrobin. Yet further, the present invention provides anti-fungal compositions comprising the novel crystalline polymorphs “A” and “B” or amorphous azoxystrobin, which are useful for controlling and combating fungi grown on agricultural and horticultural crops and up-land, and methods of using the same as pesticidal agents for combating fungi on agricultural and horticultural crops.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel crystalline polymorphs, solvate pseudomorphs and amorphous form of 5-amino-1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfinyl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonitrile (fipronil). The present invention also provides methods for preparing the novel polymorphs, pseudomorphs and amorphous form, as well as insecticidal or pesticidal compositions comprising same, and methods of use thereof as pesticidal agents.

Abstract: A sheet for pest control, wherein said sheet is of polymeric material and comprises at least two layers; a top layer and a bottom layer, wherein the bottom layer contains a herbicide and one or more pesticides selected from among fungicides and insecticides, and the top layer optionally containing an insecticide and/or fungicide. Other aspects of the invention include a polymeric composition used in the preparation of the sheets and a method for pest control in agriculture, horticulture and gardens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing compounds of formula (IV) where R is H or F, by reacting a compound of formula (II) where where R is H or F, and X is bromine, chlorine, mesylate, or tosylate, with a thiocyanate salt of formula (III) M+SCN???(III) where M+ is hydrogen, an ammonium ion, a tetraalkylammonium ion, or an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal ion, optionally in the presence of a reaction auxiliary and optionally in the presence of a diluent.

Abstract: The present invention provides an insecticidal composition comprising of at least one insecticidal compound with effective knock-down action selected from among group (A) comprising of imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, thiacloprid, nitenpyram, dinotefuran, clothianidin, abamectin, emamectin, emamectin benzoate and fipronil, and at least one insecticidal compound with effective long-term action selected from among group (B) of insect growth regulators comprising of benzoylphenyl urea (BPU) compounds selected from among novaluron, lufenuron, hexaflumuron, triflumuron, diflubenzuron, chlorfluazuron, flufenoxuron, noviflumuron and teflubenzuron. Optionally, said insecticidal composition may further contain excipients and/or additives and/or surface active agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for bromomethylation of organic compounds, wherein said process is a two stage process comprising of the following stages: a) reacting paraformaldehyde with hydrogen bromide and separating bis-bromomethyl ether (BBME) from the reaction mixture, and, b) reacting BBME obtained in stage (a) with an organic compound in the presence of a Lewis acid, to obtain the bromomethylated organic compound. Further provided by the present invention is a process for the preparation of 4,4?-bis-(diethylphosphonomethyl)-biphenyl (BPMB).

Abstract: The present invention is a method of preventing crystallization of pesticidal compositions during applications by adding a lactate ester as a crystallization preventing agent.

Abstract: Environmentally friendly processes for prevention of qualitative deterioration and quantitative loss of plant matter and foodstuffs, during all stages of storage and handling, including pre- and post-harvest, pre- and post-planting, distribution and marketing involves the use of H2O2 compositions including Ag and at least one of Cu and Zn ions. The processes can also be used to prevent sprouting and rooting, and to promote fecundity of certain plant matter, and can also be used to eliminate or reduce quantities of harmful organisms and substances from soil, other growth media and substrates, equipment, materials water, workspaces and surfaces.

Abstract: Tomatoes are separated into desirable food products by subjecting them, after conventional preliminary treatments, such as crushing, to a separation of serum from pulp by centrifugation at temperatures between 75.degree. and 110.degree. C. and centrifugal force between 2600 and 4000 G, whereby to obtain a pulp that contains at least 500 ppm of lycopene. The pulp is then subjected to extraction by means of solvents having .delta.H (delta H) and .delta.P (delta P) values chosen so as to extract an oleoresin that has a desired content of lycopene, phospholipids and mono- and di-glycerides. The serum is concentrated and mixed either with dehydrated spent tomato pulp or with dispersing agents and the mixture is dried to produce a new food product which is substantially free from sugars and agrochemicals, is low in lipids, and has a water content less than 5 ww %.

Abstract: Diazinon is prepared by coverting the starting hydroxypyrimidine to its potassium salt by reacting it with potassium carbonate in an organic solvent after removal of the water by azeotropic distillation, and reacting the resulting non-aqueous salt with diethyl thiophosphoryl chloride and recovering the diazinon formed, wherein the quantity of potassium carbonate used relative to the starting hydroxypyrimidine is less than molar and desirably of a ratio in the range of 0.55 to 0.75.

Abstract: There is provided an EW pesticidal formulation comprising:(a) 190 g/l to 350 g/l of at least one pesticide selected from the group consisting of chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, and imazalil.(b) 150 g/l to 400 g/l of the methyl ester of rosin.(c) 30 g/l to 200 g/l of at least one surfactant.(d) water to make up to one liter, but not less than 200 g/l;and optionally containing a polar solvent completely or partially soluble in water. This affords formulations which have low irritations and surprisingly improved biological activity to target species.

Abstract: Hydroxypyrimidine, a key intermediate in the manufacture of diazinon, is prepared in high yields and high purity by reacting an amidine with methyl-acetoacetate in a dry, i.e. non-aqueous, medium in the presence of a methanolic base in an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent while azeotropically distilling off water formed during the reaction.

Abstract: Diazinon is prepared by converting the starting hydroxypyrimidine to its potassium salt by reacting it with potassium carbonate in an organic solvent after removal of the water by azeotropic distillation, and reacting the resulting non-aqueous salt with diethyl thiophosphoryl chloride and recovering the diazinon formed. The solvent used is either MIBK or an aliphatic hydrocarbon desirably containing 1-20% MEK.

Abstract: The present invention concerns improved crystalline metal complexes of the fungicide 1-[N-propyl-N-2-(2,4,6-trichlorophenoxy)-ethyl carbamoyl]-imidazole, known by the common name prochloraz, its improved formulations and their use in combatting fungi, especially powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fuliginia) and coffee berry disease (Colletotrichum coffeanum).

Abstract: N-n-propyl-N-2-(2,4,6-trichlorophenoxy) ethyl amine is prepared by reacting 2-phenoxy ethanol with thionyl chloride in the presence of a catalytic amount of tetra-alkyl ammonium halide optionally in the presence of a solvent to form 2-phenoxy ethyl chloride; reacting the 2-phenoxy ethyl chloride with n-propylamine at a temperature of from 50.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. optionally in the presence of a solvent to form N-n-propyl-N-2-phenoxy-ethyl amine; selectively chlorinating N-n-propyl-N-2-phenoxyethyl amine with chlorine in the presence of a solvent; and recovering the N-n-propyl-N-2-(2,4,6-trichlorophenoxy) ethyl amine formed.