THICKENED ORGANIC LIQUID COMPOSITIONS WITH POLYMERIC RHEOLOGY MODIFIERS

Field of The Disclosure The invention relates to the use of polymeric rheology modifiers with organic liquids, thickened compositions comprising organic liquids and polymeric rheology modifiers, and to methods of stabilizing organic liquid dispersions using polymeric rheology modifiers.

Background Polymers have previously been used for modifying the rheology of a fluid by incorporation of the polymer. There is a need for polymers that can be used to adjust the thickness, viscosity, and other properties of fluid compositions, particularly organic liquid compositions used in formulations such as agrochemical formulations. Many organic liquids have low viscosity. Organic liquids with low viscosities create formulation, handling and application difficulties in various applications. Therefore, organic liquids need to be thickened to suit various applications.

Thickened organic liquid compositions have many uses in various industries. One example is an oil painting medium that requires different viscosities to give different "layering effects." Another example is gelled teak oil. Gelled teak oil exhibits improved performance than normal teak oil because the gel keeps the oil stationary for a prolonged time to allow the wood to absorb it fully. This improved performance allows a single coat of gelled teak oil to penetrate deeper into the wood than normal teak oil, leaving furniture more uniform in color and ultimately increases the life of the wood. Still another example is air freshener liquid distributed using a reed. The fragrance material in the container of the air freshener typically consists of low viscosity essential oils mixed with low viscosity diluents. Thickening the low viscosity material in such an air freshener reduces spillage and loss of liquid through evaporation.

Another example is the suspension of solid particles in thickened organic liquids. The solid particles can be agrochemicals, pigments, sand, cutting debrides in oil field operations, and so on. A special application is in the agricultural industry. Many agrochemicals are supplied as powders and they have handling and dust issues. It is desirable to provide suspensions (i.e., liquid formulations of solid agrochemicals suspended in a liquid) for farmers or applicators to use. A liquid formulation has several advantages over a solid formulation, such as ease of handling, ability to pump and spray, and reduction of dust issues. Currently most of the liquid suspensions are aqueous suspension concentrates (SC) due to cost consideration. However, aqueous suspension concentrates are not suitable for water sensitive pesticide active ingredients and are usually not suitable for multi-active formulations. Suspensions of water sensitive active pesticides in carefully selected organic liquids can avoid these problems. The organic liquids typically have to be thickened to have suspension ability.

Thickened organic liquid compositions are useful to construct formulations such as oil dispersions (OD) using the organic liquids as later defined herein.

An OD formulation, also called oil flowables, oil concentrates, and oil suspension concentrates, typically is a thickened oil composition containing suspended solid particles comprising one or more organic liquids, one or more powders with low solubility in the organic liquids, optionally one or more emulsifiers capable of emulsifying the organic liquids into water, and other additives such as a dispersant, a thickener, or a defoamer. The organic liquids are generally low polarity organic liquids. Without a thickener, the liquid formulation usually is unstable because the powder tends to separate from the OD due to density difference. Current rheology modifiers used in OD formulations include organoclay, silicas, Intelimer 13-6, dextrin palmitate, and hydrogenated castor oil derivatives. All of these thickeners have drawbacks. They are difficult to handle (too dusty), require heating or a protonic solvent to activate thickening, or work only with one type of oil.

One particularly important organic liquid is a low polarity organic liquid such as fatty acid ester. The use of fatty acid esters (especially vegetable fatty acid esters) as the organic liquid in the thickened oil compositions has certain advantages because fatty acid esters are from a reasonably-priced renewable plant or animal source and are chemically inert to other chemicals dissolved or suspended in it. In addition, fatty acid esters have lower viscosity than their oil counterparts, permitting higher solid particle loading without the formulations becoming too thick to pump. Moreover, fatty acid esters are known to have the ability to enhance the efficacy of various pesticides. Even with these advantages, however, fatty acid esters have not seen wide spread use in industries such as agrochemical applications due to the difficulty in preparing thickened organic liquid compositions or stable OD formulations. The main difficulty to thicken a fatty acid ester (such as a vegetable fatty acid methyl ester), or any organic liquid, is the lack of an effective thickener for fatty acid esters or organic liquids.

There exists a need for alternative rheology modifiers with the ability to thicken organic liquids or to use a thickened organic liquid to stabilize solid particles in organic liquids with improved effectiveness over previously known thickeners and at a reasonable cost. Preferably, the alternative rheology modifiers can thicken many organic liquids.

Summary We have unexpectedly discovered that a group of polyme c rheology modifiers made from two or more monomers selected from a bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester, an alkyl (meth)acrylate, and an aromatic vinyl monomer show surphsingly improved and efficient thickening ability in organic liquids. In a first aspect, the disclosure provides a thickened organic liquid composition comprising an organic liquid and a polymehc rheology modifier, wherein the organic liquid is substantially free of petroleum based fuels, and wherein the polymehc rheology modifier is obtainable by co- polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate and at least one of the following monomers:

a bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester different from the alkyl (meth)acrylate, and

an aromatic vinyl monomer.

Preferably in the first aspect, the polymehc rheology modifier comprises 5 to 50 wt% bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester, 25 to 70 wt% alkyl (meth)acrylate, and 10 to 40 wt% aromatic vinyl monomer. In another embodiment, the polymehc rheology modifier comprises 20 to 70 wt% bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester, and 30 to 80 wt% alkyl (meth)acrylate. In an embodiment, the bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester is isobornyl methacrylate, the alkyl (meth)acrylate is isobutyl methacrylate, and the aromatic vinyl monomer is styrene.

In a second aspect, the disclosure provides a thickened organic liquid composition comprising an organic liquid and a polymehc rheology modifier wherein the alkyl (meth)acrylate is a lower alkyl (meth)acrylate and/or a fatty alkyl (meth)acrylate and the polymeric rheology modifier is obtainable by co-polymerizing at least two of the following monomers:

a bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester,

a lower alkyl (meth)acrylate,

· a fatty alkyl (meth)acrylate, and

an aromatic vinyl monomer.

Preferably in the second aspect, the polymehc rheology modifier comprises 10 to 30 wt% bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester, 10 to 25 wt% lower alkyl (meth)acrylate, 30 to 40 wt% fatty-alkyl (meth)acrylate, and 15 to 30 wt% aromatic vinyl monomer. In an embodiment, the bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester is isobornyl methacrylate, the lower alkyl (meth)acrylate is isobutyl methacrylate, the fatty alkyl (meth) acrylate is lauryl methacrylate and the aromatic vinyl monomer is styrene.

In a third aspect, the disclosure provides a thickened organic liquid composition comprising an organic liquid and a polymeric rheology modifier wherein the viscosity of the thickened organic liquid composition is at least 150 mPas, preferably at least 300 mPas, more preferably at least 600 mPas, and still more preferably at least 1000 mPas measured by a Brookfield viscometer at 10 rpm at 22C. Preferably, the amount of rheology modifier in the organic liquid having these viscosities is less than 15 wt%.

In a fourth aspect, the disclosure provides a thickened organic liquid composition comprising an organic liquid and a polyme c rheology modifier wherein the polyme c rheology modifier further comprises a cross-linking monomer in the amount of between about 20 ppm to about 2000 ppm, preferably about 200 ppm to about 1500 ppm, more preferably between 300 ppm and 1000 ppm, more preferably about 350 ppm to about 650 ppm. Preferably, the cross-linking monomer is a di-functional or multifunctional (meth) acrylate monomer, such as 1 ,6-hexanediol di(meth)acrylate or trimethylolpropane triacrylate. In an embodiment, the fourth aspect further comprises solid particles wherein the solid particles are suspended in the organic liquid. In a fifth aspect, the disclosure provides a thickened organic liquid composition comprising an organic liquid, a polymeric rheology modifier and an emulsifier. Preferably in the fifth aspect the composition is not a cosmetic composition.

In a sixth aspect, the disclosure provides a thickened organic liquid composition comprising an organic liquid, a polymehc rheology modifier, an emulsifier, and a solid agrochemical.

In a seventh aspect, the disclosure provides a method of improving stability of an agrochemical formulation by dissolving the polymer rheology modifier into an organic liquid and adding a solid agrochemical.

Detailed Description

In this disclosure all weight percentages are stated as based on the total weight of the formulation unless stated otherwise.

For the purposes of the current disclosure, the thickened organic liquid compositions are stable when the compositions (1 ) possess less than 10% volume separation after 2 weeks storage at 50 ^° C-54 ^° C, after 4 weeks storage at 40 ^° C, or after 3 months storage at room temperature; or (2) remain a homogenous liquid after three cycles of freeze-thaw; or (3) if separation does occur, the formulations are able to return to a smooth appearance after gentle mixing. For purposes of this disclosure, gentle mixing means inverting a 100 ml container (holding an 85 ml sample) 15 times.

In the context of this disclosure, the term "(meth)acrylate" refers to acrylate and methacrylate.

In the context of the disclosure the term "(co)polymer" indicates polymer or copolymer. The term "polymer" and the term "copolymer" are used herein interchangeably.

In the context of this disclosure, the term "substantially free of in the context of a formulation means that the formulation contains less than 10 wt%, or less than 5 wt%, or less than 4 wt%, or less than 3 wt%, or less than 2 wt% or less than 1 wt%, of the indicated ingredient on basis of the total weight of the formulation. The term "substantially free of in the context of a polymer or co-polymer means that the polymer contains less than10 wt %, or less than 5 wt%, or less than 4 wt%, or less than 3 wt%, or less than 2 wt% or less than 1 wt%, of the indicated ingredient on basis of the total weight of the polymer.

For the purposes of this disclosure, for organic liquids with a viscosity of less than 100 mPas, thickening a composition means to increase the viscosity of the modified liquid by at least 5 times, preferably 10 times, more preferably at least 20 times, and more preferably at least 50 times in the presence of 3 wt% or less of the polymeric rheology modifier compared to the same fluid in the absence of the polymeric rheology modifier. For organic liquids with a viscosity above 100 mPas, thickening means to increase the viscosity of the modified liquid by at least 50 mPas, preferably 100 mPas, more preferably 200 mPas, more preferably 500 mPas, more preferably 1000 mPas and more preferably 500 mPas. In most cases described herein, the viscosity of the organic liquid is less than 100 mPas and is Newtonian.

In this disclosure the term "viscosity" means Brookfield viscosity measured by Brookfield viscometers at 10 rpm at 22°C, unless stated otherwise. Viscosity was measured using a Brookfield DV-II+ Viscometer or a Brookfield DV-I Prime Viscometer as indicated in the examples below.

As used herein, shear-thinning refers to non-Newtonian fluids which have decreased viscosity when subjected to shear strain. For the purposes of the current disclosure, formulations have strong shear thinning property if the viscosity ratio of the formulation at 10 rpm and 100 rpm is greater than 2 as measured by a Brookfield viscometer. For a stable suspension formulation in our examples, the viscosity ratio is greater than 2, and typically greater than 2.5.

It should be appreciated that the various aspects and embodiments of the detailed description as disclosed herein are illustrative of the specific ways to make and use the invention and do not limit the scope of invention when taken into consideration with the claims and the detailed description. It will also be appreciated that features from different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be combined with features from different aspects and embodiments of the invention. It will also be appreciated that features within the aspects and embodiments of the invention can be excluded from other features within the aspects and embodiments and remain within the scope of the invention.

The term "consisting" wherever used herein also embraces "consisting substantially", but may optionally be limited to its strict meaning of "consisting entirely". Further, throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", mean "including but not limited to", and do not exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Moreover the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires: in particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singula ty, unless the context requires otherwise. Where upper and lower limits are quoted for a property, for example for the percentage of monomer contained within the polymer, then a range of values defined by a combination of any of the upper limits with any of the lower limits is also implied. The Polymeric Rheology Modifiers

For the polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure to be suitable for modifying the rheology of an organic liquid containing the polymer, the polymer is preferably soluble in said fluid. In the context of the present disclosure, a polymer is soluble in a fluid if at least 3 wt% of polymer can be dissolved in the organic liquid. Solubility can be determined by adding 3 wt% of a polymer to a fluid and observing the fluid with the naked eye. The fluid with dissolved polymer will be clear or have a slight translucent color or turbidity in it due to light scattering, but will not contain detectable polymer particles or a separate polymer-rich phase.

The bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester of the disclosure contains a (meth)acryloyl radical bonded to a six-membered carbon atom bridged ring and said group of monomers include products like decahydronaphthyl (meth)acrylates, and adamantyl (meth)acrylates, but preferred are products according to formula (I)

wherein

R is H or -CHs,

A is -CH ₂ -, -CH(CH ₃ )- or -C(CH ₃ ) ₂ -, and

one or more M is covalently bonded to any carbon of the bicyclic rings, preferably to a carbon atom of the six-membered ring, and is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, methyl and methylamino group or a plurality thereof. Non-limiting examples of the bicyclic (meth)acrylate esters include isobornyl (meth)acrylate, bornyl (meth)acrylate, fenchyl (meth)acrylate, isofenchyl (meth)acrylate, norbornyl (meth)acrylate, cis, (endo) 3-methylamino- 2-bornyl (meth)acrylate, 1 ,4,5,6,7,7-hexachlorobicyclo [2.2.1 ]-hept-5-ene-2-ol (meth)acrylate (HCBOMA) and 1 ,4,5,6,7,7-hexachlorobicyclo [2.2.1 ]-hept-5-ene-2 methanol (meth)acrylate (HCBMA), and mixtures of such bicyclic (meth)acrylates. Preferably the bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester of the disclosure is a b dged bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester. For purposes of this disclosure, a b dged bicyclic monomer means a monomer with two rings that share three or more atoms, separating the two bridgehead atoms by a bridge containing at least one atom. A suitable bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester is isobornyl methacrylate. The bicyclic (meth)acrylate esters are known per se and may be prepared in known fashion or may be obtained from commercial sources. The bicyclic (meth)acrylate is preferably chosen from monomers which, when polymerized, form a homopolymer that is soluble in many organic liquids including fatty acid esters, and combinations of different organic liquids.

Alkyl (meth)acrylates of the disclosure include lower alkyl (meth)acrylates, fatty-alkyl (meth)acrylates and mixtures thereof. In an embodiment, the alkyl (meth)acrylates are linear or branched. In an embodiment, the alkyl (meth)acrylates are substituted or unsubstituted.

Lower alkyl (meth)acrylates of the disclosure are compounds wherein a (meth)acryloyl radical is bonded to C1-C6 alkyl group, which can be linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated. Lower alkyl (meth)acrylates of the disclosure include compounds such as methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, propyl (meth)acrylate, butyl (meth)acrylate, isobutyl (meth)acrylate, pentyl (meth)acrylate, isopentyl (meth)acrylate and hexyl (meth) acrylate. A preferred lower alkyl (meth)acrylate is isobutyl (meth)acrylate. The lower alkyl (meth)acrylate is preferably chosen from monomers which, when polymerized, form a homopolymer that is soluble in organic liquids, and combinations of different organic liquids. When the homopolymer that is formed from the lower alkyl methacrylate is not soluble in organic liquids, the amount of this monomer in the polymeric rheology modifier is preferably limited to less than about 60%, more preferably less than 50% and more preferably less than about 40% by weight.

The fatty-alkyl (meth)acrylates of the disclosure are compounds wherein a (meth)acryloyl radical is bonded to a fatty alkyl group, herein defined as a C8-C24 alkyl group, which can be linear or branched substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated. Examples of a fatty alkyl (meth)acrylate include 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, decyl (meth)acrylate, isodecyl (meth)acrylate, lauryl (meth)acrylate, methacrylic ester 13.0 (CAS#: 90551 -76-1 ), tetradecyl (meth)acrylate, hexadecyl (meth)acrylate, methacrylic ester 17.4 (CAS#: 90551-84-1 ), and stearyl (meth)acrylate. Preferred fatty-alkyl (meth)acrylates are chosen from monomers which, when polymerized, form a homopolymer which is soluble in organic liquids. In another embodiment 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, isodecyl (meth)acrylate, lauryl (meth)acrylate, methacrylic ester 13.0 (CAS#: 90551 -76-1 ), methacrylic ester 17.4 (CAS#: 90551-84-1 ), and/or stearyl (meth)acrylate is used. Suitably lauryl methacrylate or 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate is used.

The aromatic vinyl monomers of the disclosure contain a vinyl group bonded to an aromatic group. Examples include styrene, substituted styrene, vinyl naphthalene, and mixtures thereof. Preferred substituted styrenes include ortho-, meta- and/or para- alkyl, alkyloxy or halogen substituted styrenes, such as methyl styrene, 4-tert-butyl styrene, tert-butyloxy styrene, 2- chlorostyrene and 4-chlorostyrene. The preferred aromatic vinyl monomer is styrene. The use of styrene can increase the Tg of the polymer and reduce the cost. When the homopolymer that is formed from the aromatic vinyl monomer is not soluble in organic liquids, the amount of this monomer in the polymeric rheology modifier is preferably limited to less than about 60%, more preferably less than 50% and more preferably less than about 40% by weight.

Other ethylenically unsaturated monomers different from the monomers above can also be included in the polymeric rheology modifier. These include but are not limited to monomers such as (meth)acrylic acid, maleic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, N-[3-(dimethylamino) propyl] methacrylamide, N-[3- (dimethylamino) propyl] acrylamide, (3-acrylamidopropyl)-trimethyl-ammonium chloride, methacrylamido propyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, (meth)acrylamide, N-alkyl (meth)acrylamides, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl formamide, vinyl acetamide, and N-vinyl caprolactams. When one of these other monomers contain a hydroxyl, acid, basic nitrogen, or heterocylic functionality it is preferred that the polymer rheology modifier contain less than 10%, more preferably, less than 5% and most preferably less than 2% by weight of these monomers.

In another aspect, the polymeric rheology modifier of the disclosure is substantially free of the polymerized residues of polar monomers. Polar monomers are defined as monomers that contain hydroxyl, carboxylic acid, basic nitrogen, or heterocylic functionality. Cross-linking monomers (or cross-linkers) contain two or more ethylenically unsaturated functionalities. These include, but are not limited to divinyl benzene, 1 ,6-hexanediol di(meth)acrylate, ethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, propylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, trimethylol propane tri(meth)acrylate, trimethylol propane diallyl ether, trimethylol propane triallyl ether, pentaerythritol triallyl ether, pentaerythritol tetraallyl ether, and pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate. The amount of cross-linker optionally present in the polymeric rheology modifier is from about 20 ppm to about 2000 ppm, preferably about 200 ppm to about 1500 ppm, more preferably about 300 ppm to about 1000 ppm, more preferably about 350 ppm to about 650 ppm. In some preferred embodiments, the amount of cross linker in the polymeric rheology modifier is 200 ppm, or 220 ppm, or 240 ppm, or 260 ppm, or 280 ppm, or 300 ppm, or 320 ppm, or 340 ppm, or 360 ppm, or 380 ppm, 400 ppm, or 420 ppm, or 440 ppm, or 460 ppm, or 480 ppm, 500 ppm, or 520 ppm, or 540 ppm, or 560 ppm, or 580 ppm, 600 ppm, or 620 ppm, or 640 ppm, or 660 ppm, or 680 ppm, or 700ppm, or 720 ppm, or 740 ppm, or 760 ppm, or 780 ppm, 800 ppm, or 820 ppm, or 840 ppm, or 860 ppm, or 880 ppm, 900 ppm, or 920 ppm, or 940 ppm, or 960 ppm, or 980 ppm, or 1000 ppm, or 1020 ppm, or 1040 ppm, or 1060 ppm, or 1080 ppm, or 1 100 ppm, or 1 120 ppm, or 1 140 ppm, or 1 160 ppm, or 1 180 ppm, or 1200 ppm, or 1220 ppm, or 1240 ppm, or 1260 ppm, or 1280 ppm, or 1300 ppm, or 1320 ppm, or 1340 ppm, or 1360 ppm, or 1380 ppm, or 1400 ppm, or 1420 ppm, or 1440 ppm, or 1460 ppm, or 1480 ppm, or 1500 ppm, or 1520 ppm, or 1540 ppm, or 1560 ppm, or 1580 ppm, or 1600 ppm, or 1620 ppm, or 1640 ppm, or 1660 ppm, or 1680 ppm, or 1700 ppm, or 1720 ppm, or 1740 ppm, or 1760 ppm, or 1780 ppm, or 1800 ppm, or 1820 ppm, or 1840 ppm, or 1860 ppm, or 1880 ppm, or 1900 ppm, or 1920 ppm, or 1940 ppm, or 1960 ppm, or 1980 ppm, or 2000 ppm.

Preferably, the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the polymeric rheology modifier is high enough that the polymer can be isolated and handled as a solid. Preferably the Tg of the polymeric rheology modifier is greater than about 45 °C, more preferably greater than about 60 °C and more preferably greater than about 75 °C. Tg can be measured using standard procedures such as differential scanning calorimetry. For the Tg values described herein, the Tg of the polymer was calculated by placing a vial containing the polymer powder to be measured into a hot water bath (e.g., 75 °C) for 10 minutes. If the powder remained free flowing after 10 minutes in the hot water bath, the Tg of the powder was determined to be at least the temperature of the water bath. The temperature of the water bath was increased incrementally until the polymer was no longer free flowing to determine the Tg where appropriate. In other instances, a Tg was determined to be "greater than" the last water bath temperature in cases were an upper end transition temperature was not determined. The polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure typically have a Tg > 75 °C. The weight averaged molecular weight (Mw) of the copolymer of the invention, when measured in accordance withthe method described below in Example 30, is preferably at least 20,000,000 Dalton (D), suitably at least 50,000,000 (D); 100,000,000 (D); 150,000,000; and/or at least 200,000,000 D. The polymeric rheology modifier of the disclosure may be synthesized by conventional methods for vinyl addition polymerization known to those skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to, solution polymerization, precipitation polymerization, and dispersion polymerizations, including suspension polymerization and emulsion polymerization. The preferred process is emulsion polymerization.

In an embodiment the polymeric rheology modifier of the disclosure is formed by emulsion polymerization, one or more monomers are dispersed in an aqueous phase and polymerization is initiated using a water soluble initiator. The monomers are typically water insoluble or very poorly soluble in water, and a surfactant or soap is used to stabilize the monomer droplets in the aqueous phase. Polymerization occurs in the swollen micelles and latex particles. Other ingredients that might be present in an emulsion polymerization include chain transfer agents such as mercaptans (e.g. dodecyl mercaptan) to control molecular weight, small amounts of water soluble organic solvents such as but not limited to acetone, 2-butanone, methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol, to adjust the polarity of the aqueous phase, and electrolytes to control pH. Suitable initiators include alkali metal or ammonium salts of persulfate such as ammonium persulfate, water-soluble azo compounds such as 2,2'-azobis(2-aminopropane)dihydrochloride, and redox systems such as Fe(ll) and cumene hydroperoxide, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide- Fe(ll)-sodium ascorbate. Suitable surfactants include anionic surfactants such as fatty acid soaps (e.g. sodium or potassium stearate), sulfates and sulfonates (e.g. sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate, isopropylamine salt of alkylbenzene sulfonate, or calcium alkylbenzene sulfonate), sulfosuccinates (e.g. dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate); non-ionic surfactants such as octylphenol ethoxylates and linear and branched alcohol ethoxylates; and alkylamine alkoxylates, cationic surfactants such as cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride; and amphoteric surfactants. Anionic surfactants and combinations of anionic surfactants and non-ionic surfactants are most commonly used. Polymeric stabilizers such as polyvinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) can also be used as surfactants. The solid polymer product free of the aqueous medium can be obtained by a number of processes including destabilization/coagulation of the final emulsion followed by filtration, solvent precipitation of the polymer from latex, or spray drying of the latex.

If the powder particle size is too large (e.g., more than mesh size 60 or 250 microns), the powder particles require a long time to dissolve in organic liquids. In some cases, if the sample is left un-agitated, the swollen polymer particles could stick together, preventing further dissolution. Hence, the particle size of the powder is preferably smaller than 60 mesh size, more preferably smaller than 100 mesh size (or -150 microns). The polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure are preferably a free flowing powder obtained by a spray drying process or by any suitable drying processes known in the art. However, a liquid latex of polymeric rheology modifier can also be used if the application can tolerate the presence of some water.

As used herein, mesh size refers to standard United States (US) mesh size. The mesh size number indicates the number of openings located along 1 linear inch of mesh.

In one aspect, the polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure comprise at least 5 weight percent of bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester, in another aspect at least 10 weight percent, in another aspect at least 20 weight percent, in another aspect at least 40 weight percent, in still another aspect at least 60 weight percent, and in still another aspect at least 70 weight percent. In one embodiment the preferred range of bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester present in the rheology modifier is 5 to 50 wt%. In another embodiment, the preferred range of bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester present in the rheology is 10 to 30 wt%. In another embodiment, the preferred range of bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester present in the rheology is 20 to 70 wt%, or 25 to 60 wt%, or 30 to 55 wt%. In some preferred embodiments, the amount of bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester in the polymeric rheology modifier is 5 wt%, or 10 wt%, or 15 wt% or 20 wt%, or 25 wt%, or 30 wt%, or 35 wt% or 40 wt%, or 45 wt%, or 50 wt%, or 55 wt% or 60 wt%, or 65 wt%, or 70 wt%.

In another aspect, the polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure comprise at least 25 weight percent of alkyl (meth)acrylates, in another embodiment at least 35 weight percent, in another embodiment at least 50 weight percent, in another embodiment at least 65 weight percent, and in another embodiment at least 80 weight percent. In one embodiment the preferred range of alkyl (meth)acrylate present in the rheology modifier is 25 to 70 wt%. In another embodiment, the preferred range of alkyl (meth)acrylate present in the rheology is 30 to 80 wt%, or 40 to 75 wt%, or 45 to 70 wt%. In some preferred embodiments, the amount of alkyl (meth)acrylate in the polyme c rheology modifier is 25 wt%, or 30 wt%, or 35 wt% or 40 wt%, or 45 wt%, or 50 wt%, or 55 wt% or 60 wt%, or 65 wt%, or 70 wt%, or 75 wt% or 80 wt%.

In another aspect, the polyme c rheology modifiers of the present disclosure comprise at least 10 weight percent of lower alkyl (meth)acrylates, in another embodiment at least 15 weight percent, in another embodiment at least 20 weight percent, in another embodiment at least 25 weight percent. In one embodiment the preferred range of lower alkyl (meth)acrylate present in the rheology modifier is 10 to 25 wt%.

In another aspect, the polymehc rheology modifiers of the present disclosure comprise at least 30 weight percent of fatty alkyl (meth)acrylates, in another embodiment at least 35 weight percent, in another embodiment at least 40 weight percent. In an embodiment the preferred range of fatty alkyl (meth)acrylate present in the rheology modifier is 30 to 40 wt%.

In another aspect, the polymehc rheology modifiers of the present disclosure comprise less than about 40 weight percent of aromatic vinyl monomers, in another embodiment less than about 35 weight percent, less than about 30 weight percent, less than about 25 weight percent, in another embodiment less than about 20 weight percent, and in another embodiment less than about 15 weight percent. In another embodiment, the preferred range of aromatic vinyl monomer present in the rheology is 10 to 40 wt%, or 15 to 30 wt%.

In an aspect, the polymehc rheology modifier is obtainable by co-polymerizing at least two of the following monomers:

· a bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester,

a linear or branched alkyl (meth)acrylate, and

an aromatic vinyl monomer.

In one embodiment the polymehc rheology modifier is polymerized from a mixture of monomers at least comprising a bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester.

In an aspect, the polymehc rheology modifier is polymerized from:

• 5 to 50 wt% of the bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester

• 25 to 75 wt% of the lower alkyl (meth)acrylate, and

• 10 to 40 wt% of the aromatic vinyl monomer.

In another aspect, the polymehc rheology modifier is polymerized from: • 20 to 70 wt%, preferably 25 to 60 wt%, and more preferably 30 to 55 wt% bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester, and

• 30 to 80 wt%, preferably 40 to 75 wt%, and more preferably 45 to 70 wt% alkyl (meth)acrylate.

In another aspect, the polymehc rheology modifier is polymerized from:

• 10 to 30 wt% bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester,

• 10 to 25 wt% lower alkyl (meth)acrylate,

• 30 to 40 wt% fatty-alkyl (meth)acrylates, and

· 15 to 30 wt% aromatic vinyl monomer.

In another aspect, the polymehc rheology modifier is obtainable by copolymehzing a lower alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer with at least one additional monomer selected from:

a bridged bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester monomer,

an aromatic vinyl monomer, and

a fatty-alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer,

wherein each of said monomers can be substituted or unsubstituted.

In another aspect, the polymeric rheology modifier is obtainable by copolymehzing an alkyl (meth)acrylate and bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester, and optionally an aromatic vinyl monomer.

In another aspect, the polymeric rheology modifier is obtainable by co-polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate with and at least one of:

a bicyclic (meth)acrylate ester different from the alkyl (meth)acrylate, and

an aromatic vinyl monomer.

In one embodiment, the polymehc rheology modifier comprises isobornyl methacrylate and isobutyl methacrylate.

In one embodiment, the polymehc rheology modifier comprises styrene and isobutyl methacrylate. In one embodiment, the polymehc rheology modifier comprises styrene, isobutyl methacrylate and lauryl methacrylate.

In one embodiment, the cross-linked polymehc rheology modifier comprises isobornyl methacrylate, styrene, and isobutyl methacrylate. In one embodiment, the polyme c rheology modifier comprises isobornyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate and lauryl methacrylate.

In one embodiment, the polyme c rheology modifier comprises isobornyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate and ethylhexyl methacrylate. In one embodiment, the polymehc rheology modifier comprises isobornyl methacrylate, styrene, isobutyl methacrylate and lauryl methacrylate.

Throughout this document, the weight percentages of the monomer that constitute the copolymer are based on the total weight of the monomers used, whereby the total weight of the monomers adds up to 100 wt%.

In the polymehc rheology modifier of the disclosure, the monomers may be arranged in any fashion, such as in blocks or randomly. Preferably, the copolymer is a randomly arranged copolymer. Organic Liquids

The organic liquids of the disclosure are preferably in a liquid state at application temperature. The application temperature range is typically between 0°C to 60°C. The organic liquids of the disclosure include several different categories set forth below. The various categories can be included within or excluded from the scope of the organic liquid of the disclosure. a. Esters

Preferred organic liquids of the disclosure are esters.

The esters of the present invention include esters of monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and citric acid. The esters of monocarboxylic acids have the following general structure (a):

R'-COOR" (a) where R' and R" both independently are a C1 -C18 linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group, or an aromatic group. The preferred R' group is a methyl, C8-C18 alkyl, phenyl radical, a hydroxyl substituted phenyl radical, or a terminal hydroxyl substitued alkyl group. The preferred R" group is a methyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, 2-ethylhexyl, or a phenyl radical. The more preferred esters of monocarboxylic groups are methyl esters and isopropyl esters of soya acid, corn oil acid, canola oil acid, rapeseed oil acid, coconut oil acid, oleic acid, caprylic acid, 2-ethylhexyl acid, nonanoic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid; linear or branched alkyl (C6-C13) acetates such as Exxate 600, Exxate 700, Exxate 800, and Exxate 1300, phenyl acetate, C12-15 benzoate, and butyl 3- hydroxybutanoate.

The esters of dicarboxylic acids have the following general structure (b)

O O

\\ //

R'-O-C-R-C-O-R" _(b) where R' and R" both independently are a C1 -C18 linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group, or an aromatic group; and R is aliphatic or aromatic. When R is aliphatic, the preferred R group is an alkylene group (CH ₂ ) _n where n is 2 - 7. When R is aromatic, the preferred R group is a phenyl radical. The preferred R' and R" groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, or 2-ethylhexyl. The more preferred esters of dicarboxylic groups are lactate, glutarate, succinate, phthalates, adipates, and azelates.

Non-limiting examples of esters of citric acid are acetyltri-butyl citrate, acetyltri-hexyl citrate, acetyltri-2-ethyhexyl citrate, butyryltri-butyl citrate, butyryltri-hexyl citrate, and butyryltri-2- ethyl hexyl citrate.

The most preferred organic liquids are fatty acid esters which refer to any ester of an oil derived from vegetables or animals, including but not limited to hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated, epoxidized and non-epoxidized, soy methyl esters, rapeseed methyl esters, canola methyl esters, safflower methyl esters, ricinoleic acid methyl esters, castor methyl esters, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, and C8-C10 methyl esters. The fatty acid esters of the disclosure are preferably plant derived.

In an aspect, the fatty acid esters of the disclosure are a C1-C8 alkyl ester of fatty carboxylic acids with 8-24 carbon atoms. b. Fatty Acids

Non-limiting examples of fatty acids of the present disclosure include C6-C10 acid, 2-ethylhexyl acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, tall oil fatty acid, and tung oil. c. Aromatic Compounds

The polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure are particularly effective at thickening aromatic compounds. Non-limiting examples of aromatic compounds are benzene, toluene, xylene, alkylnaphthalene, alkoxylated phenol, propofol, benzaldehyde, phenyl isocynate, Butyloctyl Salicylate (Hallbrite BHB), and aromatic solvents

Preferred organic liquids of the disclosure are aromatic compounds, which in the present disclosure refer to a complex combination of hydrocarbons having a ring-like molecular structure and are generally obtained from petroleum aromatic streams through va ous processes such as distillation. Non-limiting examples of CAS numbers for these aromatic solvents are 64742-94-5, 64742-95-6, 195459-66-6, 195459-67-7, 68188-48-7, 64742-03-6, and 70693-06-0. Non-limiting examples of commercial products are aromatic solvents with flash point of 200 °F (Aromatic 200 Fluid, Aromatic 200ND Fluid and Solvesso 200 from Exxon Mobil Chemical, Caromax 28A and 28A LN from Halterman Carless), aromatic solvents with flash point of 150 °F (Aromatic 150 Fluid and Aromatic 150ND Fluid from Exxon Mobil, Caromax 20A and 20A LN from Halterman Carless), and aromatic solvents with flash point of 100 °F (Aromatic 100 Fluid from Exxon Mobile, Caromax 18A and Caromax 28A from Halterman Carless). d. Glvce des

The preferred glycerides are triglycerides. Non-limiting examples of triglycerides are glycerol tri- 2-ethylhexyl, caprylic capric triglyceride (Myritol 318). More preferred triglycerides are oils from va ous plants, including soy bean oil, rapeseed oil, canola oil, corn oil, and linseed oil. e. Essential Oils

Non-limiting examples of essential oils are sandalwood oil, cedarwood oil, chamomile oil, vanilla oil, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, bergamot oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, rose oil, cinnamon oil, frankincense oil, lemongrass oil, geranium oil, orange oil, vetiver oil, lemon oil, jasmine oil, cedar oil, and grapefruit oil. f. Turpentines

Non-limiting examples of turpentines are pine oil and mineral spirits. g. Ethers

The ethers of the present disclosure have the following general chemical formula:

R'-O-R" where R' is a C1 -C18 linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group, and R" is a C3-C12 linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group. Preferred ethers are methyl propyl ether, di-propyl ether, butyl propyl ether, pentyl propyl ether, diethyl ether. Ethers can also be acyclic ether such as tetrahydrofuran. h. Alcohol and Alcohol Alkoxylates

Non-limiting examples of alcohols include isostearyl alcohol, n-Butanol, hexanol, 2-ethylhexyl alcohol, Exxal 9 (Branched C9 alcohol) and decanol. Non-limiting examples of alcohol alkoxylates include butyl alcohol with 1 ethylene oxide unit (C4,E01 ), and 2-ethyhexyl alcohol with 1 -4 ethylene oxide unit.

L Cyclic Terpenes

Non-limiting examples of cyclic terpenes include d-limonene. j. Chlorine substituted hydrocarbons

Non-limiting examples of chlorine substituted hydrocarbons include methylene chloride, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride. k _÷ Pesticides

Non-limiting examples of pesticides include herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, growth regulators. Preferred herbicides include phenoxy herbicides such as 2,4-D ester herbicide, esters of dicamba acid, and esters of MCPA, chloroacetanilides herbicides such as acetochlor and alarchlor. A preferred insecticide is methoprene. Preferably the pesticides of the disclosure are liquid pesticides.

L Amines

m. Non-limiting examples of amines include butyl amine and cocoamine. n_ Heterocyclic compounds

Non-limiting examples of heterocyclic compounds include morpholine, tetrahydrofuran, 1 - dodecyl-2-pyrrolidone, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. o. Silicone oils with aromatic groups

Non-limiting examples of silicone oils include silicone oils with aromatic groups such as phenyl trimethicone (Dow Corning 556 oil) and polyphenylmethyldimethylsiloxane (Dow Corning 550 oil). 2. Ketones

Ketones of the present disclosure have the following formula:

O

//

R -C-CH3 (d) where R' is a C2-C10 linear or branched alkyl group. Non-limiting examples of ketones include methyl ethyl ketone.

(j. Alkyl dimethyl amides

Non-limiting examples of alkyl dimethyl amides have the following general chemical formula;

O CH3

// /

R -C-N-CH3 (e) where R' is a C3-C10 linear or branched alkyl group. Non-limiting examples of alkyl dimethyl amides include C8 dimethylamide, C10 dimethylamide, mixtures of C8 and C10 dimethylamide, and isopropyl dimethylamide (or N,N,2-Trimethylpropanamide). r. Alkylnitriles

Alkylnitriles have the following general chemical formula:

R'-C≡N (f)

Where R is C8 - C18 are linear or branched alkyl group. Non-limiting examples of alkylnitrile include coco nitrile, tallow nitrile, and soy nitrile. s. Alkylene Glycols

Non-limiting examples of alkylene glycols include diethylene glycol C1-C8 alkyl acetate such as butyl ether acetate diethylene glycol butyl ether acetate.

t. T alkyl Phosphates

Trialkyl phosphates of the present disclosure have the following general molecular formula:

O

R ¹ -0-P-0-R ² (g)

R ³ where R ¹ , R ² , and R ³ are independently C1 -C10 linear or branched alkyl group or a toluene radical. Non-limiting examples of trialkyl phosphate include trimethyl phosphate, triethyl phosphhate, tri(iso)propyl phosphate, tributyl phosphate, and tricresyl phosphate. In one aspect the organic fluids of the disclosure are substantially free of petroleum based fuels, such as fuels conventionally known as gasoline and diesel fuels. In a proviso, the polymeric rheology modifier is not used in gasoline, wherein gasoline refers to a liquid hydrocarbon based fuel suitable for running a spark ignition engine, as is commonly known in the art, and includes such fuels from petroleum raw material, renewable raw material, and mixtures thereof.

In another proviso, the polymeric rheology modifier is not used in diesel fuels, wherein diesel refers to a liquid hydrocarbon based fuel suitable for running a compression ignition engine, as is commonly known in the art, and includes such fuels from petroleum raw material, renewable raw material, and mixtures thereof, including B7 diesel fuel .

In an aspect, the polymeric rheology modifier of the disclosure comprises fatty acids, fatty acid esters, aromatic solvents, glycerides, essential oils, turpentines, ethers, alcohols, alcohol alkoxylates, cyclic terpenes, chlorine substituted hydrocarbons, pesticides, amines, heterocyclic compounds, silicone oils with aromatic groups, ketones, alkyl dimethyl amides, alkylnitriles, alkylene glycols, and trialkyl phosphates, and is substantially free of petroleum based fuels, including gasoline and diesel fuels.

In an aspect, the polymeric rheology modifier of the disclosure comprises fatty acids and fatty acid esters, and is substantially free of petroleum based fuels, including gasoline and diesel fuels.

In an aspect, the polymeric rheology modifier of the disclosure comprises aromatic solvents, and is substantially free of petroleum based fuels, including gasoline and diesel fuels. In an aspect, the polymeric rheology modifier of the disclosure consists of fatty acids and fatty acid esters.

In an aspect, the polymeric rheology modifier of the disclosure consists of aromatic solvents. In one aspect the organic fluids of the disclosure are substantially free of organic sunscreen active agents, such as are octyl salicylate, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, homosalate, octocrylene, and menthyl anthranilate (meradimate). In a proviso, the polymeric rheology modifier is not used in sunscreen active agents, wherein "sunscreen active agents" or "sunscreen active" shall include all of those materials, singly or in combination, that are regarded as acceptable for use as active sunscreen ingredients based on their ability to absorb UV radiation.

Rheoloqy Modification

The polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure have the ability to thicken organic liquids, without the need for pre-hydration (or activation) and without the need for heating in most cases. In one aspect, the thickened organic liquid composition comprises one or more organic liquid and one or more of the polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure. The thickened organic liquid composition comprises, based on total formulation weight, 40 - 99.5 wt% organic liquid, preferably 60 - 80 wt% organic liquid. In some preferred embodiments, the amount of organic liquid in the thickened organic liquid composition is 40 wt%, or 45 wt%, or 50 wt% or 55 wt%, or 60 wt%, or 65 wt%, or 70 wt% or 75 wt%, or 80 wt%, or 85 wt%, or 90 wt% or 95 wt%, or 99.5 wt%.

In one aspect, the thickened organic liquid composition comprises, based on total formulation weight, 0.5 - 15% polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, preferably 1 - 10%, more preferably 2 - 8% polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure. In some preferred embodiments, the amount of polymeric rheology modifiers in the thickened organic liquid composition is 0.5 wt%, or 1 wt%, or 2 wt% or 3 wt%, or 4 wt%, or 5 wt%, or 6 wt% or 7 wt%, or 8 wt%, or 9 wt%, or 10 wt% or 1 1 wt%, or 12 wt%, or 13 wt%, or 14 wt% or 15 wt%.

The thickened organic liquid compositions of the disclosure can contain solid particles in the thickened organic liquid composition at a concentration of between 2 to 50 wt%, preferably 3 - 40 wt%, and more preferably 4 - 35 wt%. Non-limiting examples of such solid particles include cutting debrides, sands, and proppants used in oil field drilling.

The thickened organic liquid compositions of the disclosure can contain agrochemicals present in the thickened organic liquid composition at a concentration of between 2 to 50 wt%, preferably 3 - 40 wt%, and more preferably 4 - 35 wt%.

Other Ingredients

The agrochemicals of the present disclosure refer to any solid chemicals used in agricultural formulations. They include pesticides, growth inhibitors, fertilizers, micronut ents, and adjuvants (including spray drift reduction adjuvants). The agrochemicals used in the formulations of the present disclosure generally remain in solid form below about 60 ^° C. Although any powder agrochemicals with various sizes can be used in a thickened organic liquid composition, the solid agrochemicals preferably have a particle size less than 200 microns, less than 100 microns, less than 20 microns, preferably less than 10 microns, and more preferably less than 5 microns.

Suitable solid pesticides include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, algaecides, moluscides, miticides, and rodenticides. In an aspect, suitable pesticides include captan, glyphosate acid, 2,4-D acid, diuron, atrazine, tebuconazole, azoxystrobin, nicosulfuron, copper oxychloride, imidacloprid and mancozeb.

Other agrochemicals suitable in the present disclosure include solid drift control agents such as polysaccharides including guar gum and its derivatives, xanthan gum, and cellulosic derivatives such as MEHEC, MHEC, EHEC and HEC. In an aspect, the solid drift control agent is present in the thickened organic liquid composition at a concentration of between 2 to 10 wt%, preferably 3 to 7 wt%. In some preferred embodiments, the amount of drift control agent in the thickened organic liquid composition is 2 wt%, or 3 wt%, or 4 wt% or 5 wt%, or 6 wt%, or 7 wt%, or 8 wt% or 9 wt%, or 10 wt%.

In one aspect, the solubility of the solid agrochemicals of the present disclosure in the selected organic liquids is below 10%, preferably below 5%, more preferably below 2%, and still more preferably below 1 % by weight. For determining solubility in organic liquids, solid agrochemical was added in 1 % increments to the organic liquids until turbidity could be detected with the naked eye. The turbidity indicates the solid has reached its solubility limit in the organic liquids and that additional addition of solid will not be dissolved.

Pesticide formulations of the disclosure can contain emulsifiers to facilitate dilution in water by the end-user immediately prior to spray application and to faciliate cleaning of spray vessels. Preferably the emulsifiers are built-in with the formulations rather than mixed in just before the spraying. The choice of emulsifier system depends on the nature and the source of the oil or oil ester.

For the thickened organic liquid compositions of the disclosures, suitable emulsifiers include one or more nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, nonionic block copolymers, phosphate esters, or nitrogen containing alkoxylates. The amount of emulsifier when used in the thickened organic liquid compositions of the disclosure is typically between 2 - 30 wt%, preferably between 4-20 wt%, preferably between 4 - 15 wt%, more preferably between 5- 10 wt% based upon total thickened organic liquid composition weight. Non-limiting examples of emulsifiers are: (1 ) nonionic surfactants: alcohol alkoxylates such as Ethylan 994, 995, and NS-500LQ; castor oil ethoxylates such as Emulpon CO-50, CO-100, CO-200, and CO-360; sorbitol ester ethoxylates such as Armotan AL 69-66; sorbitan monolaurate and its ethoxylates such as Span 80 and Tween 20 (Polyoxyethylene-20 sorbitan monolaurate), fatty acid mono-diglyceride ethoxylates such as REWODERM LI 520, LI 63, LI 67, LI 48, LI 420, and ES 90, ethoxylated vegetable oils, and ethoxylated fatty acids; (2) anionic surfactants: calcium and amine salts of alkyl benzene sulfonates, and phosphate ester ethoxylates such as Phospholan PH-1 15, 1 18, PS-121 , PS-131 , PS-220, PS-222, PS-236, PS- 400, PS-810, PS-900, and their salts; (3) Block co-polymers such as EO-PO, EO-PO, PO-EO- PO block copolymer; and (4) nitrogen containing surfactants: alkylamine alkoxylates such as Ethomeen T/25, S/12, S/15, and C/12, amides and ethoyxlated amides such as Witcomide 51 1 , 128T, Ethomid 0/17 and HT/23.

In an embodiment, the emulsifier added to the thickened organic liquid compositions of the disclosure comprises 5 wt% to 60 wt% nonionic surfactant, 30 wt% to 70 wt% anionic surfactant, and 0 to 50 wt% of block copolymers, based upon total emulsifier weight. In a preferred embodiment, the anionic surfactant is calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (60% active). Preferably the thickened organic liquid compositions of the disclosure contain less than 20 wt% ethoxylated alkyl phosphate ester emulsifier, if present at all.

In an aspect of the thickened organic liquid composition of the disclosure, an organic liquid comprises from 50 wt% to 95 wt% of the total composition weight; the solid particles comprise from 4 to 50 wt%, preferable from 5 to 40 wt%, of the total composition weight; the polymeric rheology modifier comprises from 0.5 to 10 wt%, preferable from 2 to 5 wt%, of the total composition weight, and an emulsifier comprises from 4 to 20 wt%, preferable from 5 to 10 wt% of the total composition weight. More specifically, the organic liquid comprises 50 wt%, or 55 wt%, or 60 wt%, or 65 wt%, or 70 wt%, or 75 wt%, or 80 wt%, or 55 wt%, or 90 wt%, or 95 wt% of the total composition weight. The solid particles (such as solid agrochemicals) comprise 4 wt%, or 10 wt%, or 15 wt%, or 20 wt%, or 25 wt%, or 30 wt%, or 35 wt%, or 40 wt%, or 45 wt%, or 50 wt% of the total composition weight. The polymeric rheology modifier comprises 0.5 wt%, or 1 wt%, or 2 wt%, or 3 wt%, or 4 wt%, or 5 wt%, or 6 wt%, or 7 wt%, or 8 wt%, or 9 wt%, Or 10 wt% of the total composition weight. The emulsifier comprises 4 wt%, or 5 wt%, or 6 wt%, or 7 wt%, or 8 wt%, or 9 wt%, or 10 wt%, or 1 1 wt%, or 12 wt%, or 13 wt%, or 14 wt%, or 15 wt%, or 16 wt%, or 17 wt%, or 18 wt%, or 19 wt%, or 20 wt% of the total composition weight. The presence of an emulsifiers is not critical for the purpose of the present disclosure.

The robust thickening performance of the polyme c rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, both in the presence and in the absence of emulsifiers are shown in some of the aspects of the disclosure. The thickening property of the polyme c rheology modifiers of the present disclosure is generally independent of any emulsifiers that may be included in the formulation (unless excessive amounts of emulsifier are used).

The thickened organic liquid compositions with or without the suspended solid particles of the disclosure can be gel-like (very high viscosity) but preferably the viscosity of the formulations is less than -5000 mPas (according to a Brookfield viscometer at 10 rpm at 22 °C), preferably less than 3000 mPas.

In an aspect, the viscosity of the thickened organic liquid compositions of the disclosure is at least 150 mPas, preferably at least 300 mPas, more preferably at least 600 mPas, and still more preferably at least 1000 mPas measured by a Brookfield viscometer at 10 rpm at 22 °C.

In one aspect, the thickened organic liquid compositions of the disclosure display shear thinning property and the formulation viscosity does not increase by more than 50%, preferably not more than 30%, more preferably not more than 20%, and still more preferably not more than 10%, after storage tests.

In an aspect, the thickened organic liquid compositions of the present disclosure preferably contain no water. To the extent water is present, the amount of water should be less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, and more preferably less than 1 % by weight. Other additives may be included in the thickened organic liquid compositions of the disclosure. Such additional additives include, without limitation, defoamers, anti-microbials, colorants, fragrances, dispersants, biocides, and clays. If present in the thickened organic liquid compositions of the disclosure, these additional additives are preferably present at an amount less than 5% by weight. In one aspect, the thickened organic liquid composition is an OD formulation comprising one or more fatty acid esters, one or more powders, and one or more of the polymehc rheology modifiers of the present disclosure. The OD formulation comprises, based on total formulation weight, 40 - 95 wt% vegetable fatty acid ester, preferably 60 - 80 wt% fatty acid ester; 2 - 60 wt% powders, preferably 5 - 45%, more preferably 10 - 40 wt% powders; and 0.5 - 15 wt% polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, preferably 1 - 10 wt%, more preferably 2 - 5 wt% polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure.

In another aspect, the thickened organic liquid composition is an OD formulation comprising one or more fatty acid esters, one or more powder agrochemicals, one or more of the polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, and one or more emulsifiers. The OD formulation comprises, based on total formulation weight, 50 - 95 wt% vegetable fatty acid ester, preferably 60 - 80 wt% fatty acid ester; 4 - 50 wt% powder agrochemicals, preferably 10 - 45 wt%, more preferably 20 - 40 wt% powder agrochemicals; 0.5 - 10 wt% polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, preferably 1 - 5 wt%, more preferably 2 - 3 wt% polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, and 2 - 30 wt% emulsifiers, preferably 5 - 15 wt%, more preferably 7 - 12 wt% emulsifiers.

In another aspect, the thickened organic liquid composition is an OD formulation comprising one or more fatty acid esters, one or more powder agrochemicals including one or more powder drift control agent, one or more of the polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, and one or more emulsifiers. The OD formulation comprises, based on total formulation weight, 1 - 15% polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, 5-30% emulsifiers, 5-30% drift control agents, 4-50% solid agrochemicals, and 50 - 95 wt% vegetable fatty acid ester.

In another aspect, the thickened organic liquid composition is an OD formulation comprising one or more aromatic compounds, one or more powders, and one or more of the polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure. The OD formulation comprises, based on total formulation weight, 40 - 95 wt% aromatic compounds, preferably 60 - 80 wt% aromatic compound; 2 - 60 wt% powders, preferably 5 - 45%, more preferably 10 - 40 wt% powders; and 0.5 - 15 wt% polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, preferably 1 - 10 wt%, more preferably 2 - 5 wt% polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure. In another aspect, the thickened organic liquid composition is an OD formulation comprising one or more aromatic compounds, one or more powder agrochemicals, one or more of the polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, and one or more emulsifiers. The formulation comprises, based on total formulation weight, 50 - 95 wt% aromatic compound, preferably 60 - 80 wt% aromatic compound; 4 - 50 wt% powder agrochemicals, preferably 10 - 45 wt%, more preferably 20 - 40 wt% powder agrochemicals; 0.5 - 10 wt% polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, preferably 1 - 5 wt%, more preferably 2 - 3 wt% polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, and 2 - 30 wt% emulsifiers, preferably 5 - 15 wt%, more preferably 7 - 12 wt% emulsifiers. In another aspect, the thickened organic liquid composition is an OD formulation comprising one or more aromatic compound, one or more powder agrochemicals including one or more powder drift control agent, one or more of the polyme c rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, and one or more emulsifiers. The OD formulation comprises, based on total formulation weight, 1 - 15% polymehc rheology modifiers of the present disclosure, 5-30% emulsifiers, 5-30% drift control agents, 4-50% solid agrochemicals, and 50 - 95 wt% aromatic compound.

The polymehc rheology modifier of the disclosure exhibit several advantages over other more conventional thickeners such as clays (e.g. Attagel 50 available from BASF) and other polymers (e.g. Atlox Rheostrux 200 from Croda disclosed in WO2015/145105 and WO2009/151568), OleoCraft LP-20 from Croda, Intelimer 13-6 from Evonik, and dextrin palmitate). These advantages include: (1 ) generally no requirement of heating to activate thickening, whereas conventional polymehc thickeners require heating to, for example, > 80 °C to activate the thickening property; (2) reduced sensitivity to the presence of anionic surfactants, whereas conventional polymehc thickeners can lose their thickening performance in the presence of anionic surfactants; (3) the ability to thicken a large variety and a wide range of organic liquids compared to other conventional thickeners; and (4) the thickening property of the polymehc rheology modifiers of the disclosure remains effective at elevated temperatures such as, for example, 50 to 55 °C. Good stability at temperature > 50 °C is critical for agrochemical formulations and other products that are typically stored in warehouses without temperature control during summer months.

Examples

A description of the components used in the examples are as follows: Soy methyl ester - three brands were used: Methyl Soyate from Cargill, SoyGold 1000 from Chempoint, and soy methyl ester from Envi Saver. Each could be used interchangeably without impacting the formulation properties.

Witconate® P-1220EH - Anionic emulsifier of alkyl benzene sulfonate (-60%) in 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and propylene glycol available from AkzoNobel.

Witconate® P-1460EH - Anionic emulsifier of alkyl benzene sulfonate (-60%, dimethylamidopropyl amine salt) in 2-ethylhexyl alcohol available from AkzoNobel.

Armotan® AL 69-66 - Nonionic emulsifier of polyoxyethylene sorbitol tallate available from AkzoNobel.

Ethylan® NS-500LQ - Polyoxyalkylene glycol butyl ether from AkzoNobel Aerosol® OT-75 PG - Sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, 75% in propylene glycol and water; available from Cytec

Emulpon® CO-200 and CO-360 - Castor oil ethoxylates from Akzonobel

Walocel® 60K - Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose from Dow

AGRHO® DR-2000 - Hydroxyl propyl guar gum from Solvay

Atlox Rheostrux 200 from Croda

Attagel 50 - magnesium aluminum silicate from BASF

Intelimer 13-6 - Poly C10-30 alkyl acrylate from Evonik

OleoCraft LP-20 - Polyamide-8 from Croda

OleoCraft HP-31 - Polyamide-3 from Croda

Isostearyl alcohol (Prisorine 3515)

Branched C9 alcohol (Exxal 9)

Stearyl alcohol 15-polypropoxylate (Arlamol E)

Butanol-1 EO (2-butoxyethanol, Butyl Cellosolve)

Solvent Naphtha, Heavy Aromatic (Aromatic-200 and 150) Solvent Naphtha, Light

Aromatic-100 (C9-10 dialkyl and trialkylbenzenes)

C12/15 benzoate (Finsolv TN)

Octocrylene (Neo Heliopan 303)

Homosalate (Neo Heliopan HMS) Octyl salicylate (Neo Heliopan OS)

Menthyl anthranilate (Neo Heliopan MA)

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (Neo Heliopan AV)

Glycerol triisostearate (Prisorine 2041 )

Gycerol tri-2-ethylhexanoate (Estol 3609)

Caprylic capryl triglyceride (Myritol 318)

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (and) Silica (Dow Corning 550 Fluid)

Phenyl trimethicone (Dow Corning 556 Fluid)

Stearyl alcohol 15-polypropoxylate (Arlamol E )

Butyloctyl Salicylate (Hallbrite BHB)

Phenol ethoxylate (Agrisol PX-413)

Butyl 3-hydroxylbutanoate (Eastman Omnia Solvent)

A series of exemplary copolymers and polymers (i.e. the polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure) were made using different combinations of monomers. Isobornyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, 2-EHMA and isodecyl methacrylate was obtained from Sigma-Ald ch. Lauryl methacrylate was methacrylic ester 13.0 obtained from Evonik (VISIOMER ^® terra C13- MA). All monomers are available from Evonik as well, including isobutyl methacrylate (VISIOMEFT i-BMA), isobornyl methacrylate (VISIOMEFT Terra IBOMA) 2-EHMA (VISIOMER ^® EHMA), and isodecyl methacrylate (VISIOMER ^® IDMA).

Example 1. Synthesis of cross-linked Isobornyl methacrylate-lsobutyl methacrylate polymeric rheology modifier

Exemplary polymeric rheology modifier (Synthesis Example 1 ) was prepared according to the following basic procedure.

Table 1. Materials for Synthesis of Example 1 Polymeric Rheology Modifier

Polymerization Procedure

A 2 L, 4-neck round bottom flask was equipped with an overhead mechanical stirrer; a Y-tube equipped with a nitrogen purge outlet-topped condenser and a thermometer; and two septa. To the flask were charged deionized water and Aerosol OT-75 PG. Using a thermostat controlled water bath, the reaction temperature was brought to about 48 °C. A 12 minute sub-surface nitrogen purge was then initiated via a needle inserted through one of the septa while maintaining a 200 rpm agitation rate. While maintaining the nitrogen purge, the monomer mixture and acetone were charged to the reaction vessel. The sub-surface nitrogen purge was continued after the monomer/acetone addition. In a separate container, a reductant solution consisting of sodium ascorbate and iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate dissolved in deionized water was prepared. The iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate was added after the ascorbate had dissolved and just before use of the reductant solution.

The reaction was purged for an additional 12 minutes after the monomer/acetone addition, and then the resulting dark blue ascorbate solution was added via syringe to the reaction vessel in one shot while maintaining the sub-surface nitrogen purge.

About 10 minutes after the addition of the reductant, 0.85 ml_ of a t-butyl hydroperoxide solution in water (0.0348 g/mL) was added to the reaction via syringe in one shot while maintaining the sub-surface nitrogen purge.

Within about 7 minutes, the onset of an exotherm was noted, and the sub-surface nitrogen purging was stopped in favor of above-surface nitrogen purging. As the reaction progressed, a bluish tint was noted in the emulsion, and it became increasingly more translucent, and a slight increase in viscosity was noted. The reaction temperature reached a maximum of about 56 °C (initial temp: 48 °C) before it began to subside after about 40 min. The reaction temperature was maintained thereafter at 48-50 °C using the water bath. After a total of 5 h reaction time, the reaction was cooled and poured through cheesecloth into a container. The product was a milky liquid with a solid content of ~ 29% (measured gravimetrically).

Solid polymer was isolated by adding the undiluted emulsion polymer to an excess of 0.5 N ammonium acetate in deionized water. The resulting precipitate was collected by vacuum filtration and washed extensively with water, and the solid was dried to a constant weight in a forced air oven at 60 °C. Alternatively, solid polymer can be obtained by pan-drying or spray drying the liquid product at elevated temperatures with various techniques known to those skilled in the art. The solid obtained after drying can be further ground into a fine powder with various techniques known to those skilled in the art. The powder was passed through a 100 mesh screen in this example.

Example 2. Synthesis of Additional Polymeric Rheology Modifiers. Additional polyme c rheology modifiers were prepared following the basic procedure used to prepare Synthesis Example 1 . The compositions of these polymers and those of Synthesis Example 1 are summarized in the Table 2 below. Table 2. Exemplary Polyme c Rheology Modifiers

Iso

2- t-BHP,

Thickene IBXM Sty re n IBM LM C1

EHM -Lnk'r 100% r # e n X

u

A basis

Lot # MA

mg/k (pphm)

Monomer Ratio (wt%)*

g

2900-

1 50 50 A 500 0.0091

37B

2607-

2.1 40 50 10 A 100 0.0091

071

2607-

2.2 40 50 10 A 213 0.0091

070

2607-

2.3 40 50 10 A 410 0.0091

068

2607-

2.4 40 50 10 A 850 0.0091

066

2607-

2.5 40 50 10 A 1500 0.0091

063

2900-

2.6 25 22 18 35 A 200 0.0091

37A

2728-

2.7 25 75 A 500 0.0091

004

2907-

2.8 35 65 A 500 0.0091

21A

2907-

2.9 35 65 A 500 0.0091

34A

2907-

2.10 35 65 A 500 0.0073

21 B

2907-

2.1 1 35 65 A 650 0.0073

22A

2907-

2.12 35 65 A 350 0.0073

22B

2907-

2.13 35 65 A 650 0.0123

23A

2907-

2.14 35 65 A 350 0.0123

23B

2907-

2.15 35 65 B 1050 0.0073

24A

2728-

2.16 35 65 A 500 0.0091

037 2728-

35 65 B 750 0.0098 039

2728-40 35 65 B 760 0.0098

2907-

35 65 B 465 0.0098 24B

2907-

35 65 B 1050 0.0123 25A

2907-

35 65 B 465

25B 0.0123

2907-

35 65 A 1500 .0091 44A

2907-

35 65 A 2000 .0091 44B

2907-

35 65 A 3000 .0091 38B

2607-

50 50 A 200 .0091 073

2728-

50 50 A 350 .0091 007

2728-

50 50 A 500 .0091 009

2728-

50 50 A 500 .0065 013

2907-

35 65 A 500

29A .0073

2907-

35 65 A 500 .0073 29B

2900-

50 50 A 1000 .0091 35A

2900-

50 50 A 2000 .0091 35B

2907-

50 50 B 220 .0091 19A

2907-

50 50 B 435 .0091 19B

2907-

50 50 C 220 .0091 20A

2907-

50 50 C 435 .0091 20B

2728-

75 25 A 500 .0091 006

2728-

10 90 A 250 .0091 028

2728-

10 90 A 500 .0091 029

2728-

10 90 A 750 .0091 030

2907- .0091

5 13 82 A 250

15A 2907- .0091

5 0

18A 13 82 A 40

2907- .0091

5 13 82 A 500

15B

2907- .0091

5 82 A 600

18B 13

2907- .0091

5 13 82 A 750

17B

2907- .0091

9.5 24.5 66 A 250

14A

2907- .0091

9.5 24.5 66 A 500

14B

2907- .0091

9.5 24.5 66 A 500

34B

2907-

9.5 24.5 66 A 650 0.0123 27A

2907-

9.5 24.5 66 A 350

27B 0.0123

2907-

9.5 24.5 66 A 1000 0.0123 31A

2907-

9.5 24.5 66 A 350

31 B 0.0123

2907-

9.5 24.5 66 A 650 0.0155 32A

2907-

9.5 24.5 66 A 650 0.0155 32B

2907-

9.5 24.5 66 A 1000 0.0187 33A

2907-

9.5 24.5 66 A 350 0.0187 33B

2907-

50 25 25 A 500 0.0091 39B

2907-

30 50 20 A 500 0.0091 40B

2907-

35 65 A 3000 0.013 38B

2728-

65 35 A 500 .0091 064

2728-

65 35 A 500 0.0091 065

2907-

35 65

38A - 0 0.0091

2907-82 35 65 A 500 0.0091

2788-81 80 20 0 0.0091

2728-12 50 50 A 500 0.013

2728-

50 50 A 500 0.0091 100 2907-

2.67 9.5 24.5 66 A 500 0.0091

48A

2907-

2.68 9.5 24.5 66 B 730 0.0155

37A

2607-

2.69 55 35 10 — 0 0.0091

060

2607-

2.70 40 50 10 — 0 0.0091

067

2.71 2803-01 25 22 18 35 — 0 0.0091

2907- —

2.72 35 65 0 0.013

38A

2607-

2.73 50 50 — 0 0.0091

072

2900-

2.74 50 50 A 1000 0.013

35A

2728-

2.75 10 90 — 0 0.0091

027

2907-

2.76 5 13 82 — 0 0.0091

17A

2907-

2.77 9.5 24.55 66 — 0 0.0091

16A

2707-

2.78 35 65

38A - 0 0.013

2728-

2.79 65 35

050 - 0 0.0091

2728-

2.80 65 35

051 - 0 0.0091

2820-04 35 65 A 500 0.013

2.81

IBXMA = isobornyl methacrylate; IBMA = isobutyl methacrylate; LMA = lauryl methacrylate;

SMA = stearyl methacrylate; 2-EH MA = 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate; Iso C10 MA = iso decyl

methacrylate; Crosslinker "A" is 1 ,6-hexanediol diacrylate (1 ,6-HDDA), Crosslinker B is

t methylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA); Crosslinker C is pentaeryth tol allyl ether (PEAE); t- BHP = t-butyl hydroperoxide.

^* Percentage of monomer as a mass percent of the total amount of monomer

^** : Sample was spray dried using a Mobile Minor Spray Dryer from GEA with a rotary atomizer AF-05-A, mac by Costruzioni Meccaniche Turbine with inlet temperature 145°C and outlet temperature 78°C.

The oven dried powders were g nded and passed through 60 or 100 mesh before use in the

following experiments. Powder can also be used without passing the 60-100 mesh screen but it

would take longer time to dissolve. Example 3. Thickening of organic liquids with polymeric rheology modifiers of the present disclosure

The thickening ability of various thickeners of the present disclosure (and certain comparative examples) in various organic liquids was studied. Each sample was prepared by adding 5% polymeric rheology modifer to 95% organic liquid and immediately mixing vigorously for about 15-30 minutes. Samples # 134 - 151 and all comparative samples of Table 3 were prepared at ~70°C for 15 - 30 minutes. Samples were placed at room temperature overnight and were shaken by hand before observation to generate air bubbles. Appearance of each sample at room temperature and thickening of each were observed and recorded in Table 3. The thickening was determined qualitatively and it could be easily compared to the original organic liquid by eye estimate. The thickening was observed by looking at how long bubbles remained suspended in the liquid after shaking. Generally, the bubbles rise to the surface quickly (less than ~ 10 seconds) in pure liquids after shaking because the viscosity of the oils are low (typically < 100 mPas). If thickening occurs, the bubbles in a thickened organic liquid tend to remain suspended in the solution after shaking for at least more than a few minutes and in most cases at least 15 minutes longer than the bubbles in the liquid without thickener added. All samples in Table 3 were able to trap bubbles for more than 15 minutes longer than in the respective pure liquids except where indicated.

Table 3. Thickening of 95% organic liquid with 5% polymeric rheology modifier

Polymeric Chemical class

Organic Appr at

ID Rheology of organic Thickening at RT

liquid RT

Modifier liquid

Yes. Trapped bubbles

1 2.63 d-limonene Cyclic terpene Clear

for 1 day

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2 2.25 d-limonene Cyclic terpene Clear

for > 15 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

3 2.64 d-limonene Cyclic terpene Clear

for < 15 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

4 2.43 d-limonene Cyclic terpene Clear

for > 30 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

5 2.12 d-limonene Cyclic terpene Clear

for > 30 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

6 2.20 d-limonene Cyclic terpene Clear

for > 30 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

7 2.21 d-limonene Cyclic terpene Clear

for > 30 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

8 2.55 d-limonene Cyclic terpene Clear

for > 30 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

9 2.56 d-limonene Cyclic terpene Clear

for > 30 mins Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.57 d-limonene Cyclic terpene Clear

for > 30 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.58 d-limonene Cyclic terpene Clear

for > 30 mins

OleoCraft

d-limonene Cyclic terpene Clear No

LP-20 ^Y

OleoCraft

d-limonene Cyclic terpene Clear No

HP-31 ^Y

Sandalwood Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Essential oil Clear

oil for > 16 hrs

Cedarwood Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Essential oil Clear

oil for > 16 hrs

Chamomile Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Essential oil Clear

oil for > 16 hrs

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Vanilla oil Essential oil Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Tea tree oil Essential oil Clear

for > 30 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Eucalyptus oil Essential oil Clear

for > 8 hrs

Peppermint Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Essential oil Clear

oil for > 16 hrs

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Bergamot oil Essential oil Clear

for 8 - 16 hrs

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Lavender oil Essential oil Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Rosemary oil Essential oil Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Rose oil Essential oil Clear

for > 16 hrs

Clear, a

lot of Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Cinnamon oil Essential oil

small for > 16 hrs bubbles

Frankincense Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Essential oil Clear

oil for > 16 hrs

Lemongrass Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Essential oil Clear

oil for 8 - 16 hrs

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Geranium oil Essential oil Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Orange oil Essential oil Clear

for > 16 hrs Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Vetiver oil Essential oil Clear

for 8 - 16 hrs

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Lemon oil Essential oil Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Jasmine oil Essential oil Clear

for 8 - 16 hrs

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Cedar oil Essential oil Clear

for 8 - 16 hrs

Pearlesce Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Grapefruit oil Essential oil

nt for 1 hour

Ylang Ylang Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Essential oil Clear

oil for 4 hour

Soy methyl

2.63 Ester Clear Yes

ester

Intelimer Soy methyl Wax with

Ester N/A

13-6 ^Y ester some liq

Dextrin Soy methyl

Ester Paste N/A

Palmitate ^Y ester

OleoCraft Soy methyl

Ester Clear gel Yes

LP-20 ^Y ester

OleoCraft Soy methyl

Ester Hazy No

HP-31 ^Y ester

lisopropyl

Clear, si.

2.63 myristate Ester Yes

purple

(ISPM)

Intelimer

ISPM Ester Wax N/A

13-6 ^Y

Dextrin

ISPM Ester Paste N/A

Palmitate ^Y

OleoCraft

ISPM Ester Hazy gel Yes

LP-20 ^Y

OleoCraft

ISPM Ester Hazy No

HP-31 ^Y

C12/15

2.63 Ester Clear Yes

benzoate

Intelimer C12/15

Ester Wax N/A

13-6 ^Y benzoate

Dextrin C12/15

Ester Clear Gel Yes

Palmitate ^Y benzoate

Ethylene Alkylene glycol

2.63 glycol butyl C1-C8 ether Clear Yes

ether acetate acetate Diethylene Alkylene glycol

2.63 glycol butyl C1-C8 ether Clear Yes

ether acetate acetate

2-

Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.63 Butoxyethano Ester Clear

for > 30 mins

I acetate

2.63 Butyl acetate Ester Clear Yes

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.64 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for -3-5 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.14 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 15 - 30 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.52 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 15 - 30 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.25 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 15 - 30 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.56 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 15 - 30 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.19 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 30 - 90 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.67 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 30 - 90 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.12 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 30 - 90 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.3 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 90 - 180 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.28 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 90 - 180 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.13 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 90 - 180 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.29 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 90 - 180 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.57 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 90 - 180 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.8 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 90 - 180 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.43 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 90 - 180 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.49 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for 90 - 180 mins

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.21 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.68 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for > 16 hrs Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.53 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.54 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.51 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.58 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.67 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.1 1 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.18 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.20 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.15 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.17 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for > 16 hrs

Yes. Bubbles trapped

2.55 Butyl acetate Ester Clear

for > 16 hrs

OleoCraft

Butyl Acetate Ester Waxy N/A

LP-20 ^Y

2.63 Ethyl acetate Ester Clear Yes

Phenyl

2.63 Ester Clear Yes

acetate

Methyl Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.25 Ester Clear

benzoate for 15 - 30 mins

Methyl Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.58 Ester Clear

benzoate for > 30 mins

Methyl Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.64 Ester Clear

benzoate for 15 - 30 mins

Methyl Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.55 Ester Clear

benzoate for 2 days

Methyl Yes. Trapped bubbles

2.57 Ester Clear

benzoate for 2 days

Methyl

2.63 Ester Clear Yes

benzoate

Oxydiethylen

2.63 Ester Clear Yes

e dibenzoate

Acetyl tributyl

2.63 Ester Clear Yes

citrate Butyryltri-n-

94 2.63 Ester Clear Yes

hexyl citrate

Tri butyl

95 2.63 Ester Clear Yes

citrate

methyl

96 2.63 Ester Clear Yes

cocoate

2-ethylhexyl

97 2.63 Ester Clear Yes

lactate

Yes. Trapped bubbles

98 2.25 Butyl lactate Ester Clear

for ~ 15 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

99 2.64 Butyl lactate Ester Clear

for < 15 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

100 2.43 Butyl lactate Ester Clear

for 15 - 30 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

101 2.12 Butyl lactate Ester Clear

for 15 - 30 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

102 2.20 Butyl lactate Ester Clear

for -180 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

103 2.12 Butyl lactate Ester Clear

for 2 days

Yes. Trapped bubbles

104 2.55 Butyl lactate Ester Clear

for -180 mins

Yes. Trapped bubbles

105 2.56 Butyl lactate Ester Clear

for 15 - 30 mins

106 2.24 Butyl lactate Ester Hazy No

Yes. Trapped bubbles

107 2.58 Butyl lactate Ester Clear

for 15 - 30 mins

Isopropyl

108 2.63 Ester Clear Yes

acetate

109 2.63 Propyl lactate Ester Clear Yes

Dimethyl

1 10 2.63 Ester Clear Yes

ad i pate

Diethyl

1 1 1 2.63 Ester Clear Yes

maleate

1 12 2.63 Methyl oleate Ester Clear Yes

Diethyl

1 13 2.63 Ester Clear Yes

succinate

Butyl 3-

Yes. Trapped bubbles

1 14 2.63 hydroxylbuta Ester Clear

for 2 days

noate)

Methyl ester

1 15 2.63 Ester Clear Yes

of C810 acid

Methyl propyl

1 16 2.63 Ether Clear Yes

ether

Propylene Yes. Trapped bubbles

1 17 2.63 Ether Clear

glycol propryl for > 30 mins ether

Dipropylene

Yes. Trapped bubbles

1 18 2.63 glycol propryl Ether Clear

for > 30 mins ether

2-ethylhexyl

1 19 2.63 Fatty acid Clear Yes

acid

Nonanoic

120 2.63 Fatty acid Clear Yes

acid

Tall oil fatty

121 2.63 Fatty acid Clear Yes

acid

Fatty acid &

122 2.63 Argon oil Clear Yes

phenols

1 -methyls- Heterocyclic

123 2.63 Clear Yes

pyrrol idone compounds

Tetrahydrofur Heterocyclic

124 2.63 Clear Yes

an compounds

Heterocyclic

125 2.63 Morpholine Clear Yes

compounds

2-pyrrolidone, Heterocyclic

126 2.63 Clear Yes

1-dodecyl compounds

Clear liq,

Phenyl

127 2.63 Silicone oil very Yes

trimethicone

viscous

Intelimer Phenyl

128 Silicone oil Hazy liq No

13-6 ^Y trimethicone

Dextrin Phenyl

129 Silicone oil Hazy liq No

Palmitate ^Y trimethicone

Dow Corning Silicone oil with

130 2.63 Clear Yes.

550 Fluid aromatic group

OleoCraft Phenyl Silicone oil with

131 Hazy No

LP-20 ^Y trimethicone aromatic group

OleoCraft Phenyl Silicone oil with

132 Hazy No

HP-31 ^Y trimethicone aromatic group

Tri butyl Trial kyl Yes. Trapped bubbles

133 2.63 Clear

phosphate phosphate for 2 days

134 2.63 Soybean oil Triglyceride Clear Yes

Glycerol tri-2-

135 2.63 ethylhexanoa Triglyceride Clear Yes

te Glycerol Transluce

136 2.63 Triglyceride Yes

triisostearate nt liquid

Intelimer

137 Soybean oil Triglyceride Wax N/A

13-6 ^Y

Glycerol tri-2-

Intelimer

138 ethylhexanoa Triglyceride Paste N/A

13-6 ^Y

te

Intelimer Glycerol tri

139 Triglyceride Wax N/A

13-6 ^Y isostearate

hazy liq

Dextrin

140 Soybean oil Triglyceride with Fish Slightly Thickened Palmitate ^Y

eyes

Glycerol tri-2-

Dextrin

141 ethyl Triglyceride Paste N/A

Palmitate ^Y

hexanoate

Dextrin Glycerol tri Paste with

142 Triglyceride N/A

Palmitate ^Y isostearate fish eyes

143 2.63 Corn oil Triglyceride Clear Yes

OleoCraft SI. hazy

144 Soy Oil Triglyceride Yes

LP-20 ^Y gel

OleoCraft Not

145 Soy Oil Triglyceride No

HP-31 ^Y dissolved

146 2.63 Soybean oil Triglyceride Clear Yes

147 2.63 Rapeseed oil Triglyceride Clear Yes

148 2.63 Canola oil Triglyceride Clear Yes

Yes. Trapped bubbles

149 2.63 Linseed oil Triglyceride Clear

for > 30 mins

Macadamia

150 2.63 Triglyceride Clear Yes.

oil

Yes. Trapped bubbles

151 2.63 Argan oil Triglyceride Clear

for > 15 mins

Caprylic

Yes. Trapped bubbles

152 2.63 capryl Triglyceride Clear

for > 1 hr

triglyceride

Mineral

153 2.63 Turpentine Clear Yes

Spirits

154 2.63 Pine oil Turpentine Clear Yes

155 2.63 Acetochlor Pesticide Clear Yes

2,4-D octyl

156 2.63 Pesticide Clear Yes

ester

MCPA 2EH

157 2.63 Pesticide Clear Yes

ester

158 2.63 Butochlor Pesticide Clear Yes

Isostearyl Hazy Clear and thickened at

159 2.63 Alcohol

alcohol liquid >45C.

Intelimer Isostearyl Wax. 45C

160 Alcohol N/A

13-6 ^Y alcohol wax. Paste.

Dextrin Isostearyl 45C clear

161 Alcohol N/A

Palmitate ^Y alcohol no

thickening

Yes. Trapped bubbles

162 2.63 n-Butanol Alcohol Clear

for > 30 mins

163 2.63 Hexanol Alcohol Clear Yes

2-ethylhexyl

164 2.63 Alcohol Clear Yes

alcohol

Branched C9

165 2.63 Alcohol Clear Yes

alcohol

166 2.63 Decanol Alcohol Clear Yes

Stearyl

alcohol 15- Alcohol Transluce

167 2.63 Yes

polypropoxyla alkoxylate nt liquid

te

Stearyl

Intelimer alcohol 15- Alcohol

168 Wax N/A

13-6 ^Y polypropoxyla alkoxylate

te

Stearyl

Dextrin alcohol 15- Alcohol

169 Hazy liq No

Palmitate ^Y polypropoxyla alkoxylate

te

2-ethylhexyl Alcohol

170 2.63 Clear Yes

alcohol-4EO alkoxylate

Alcohol Yes. Trapped bubbles

171 2.63 Butanol-1 EO Clear

alkoxylate for > 30 mins

Alcohol Yes. Trapped bubbles

172 2.25 Butanol-1 EO Clear

alkoxylate for 15 - 30 mins

Alcohol Yes. Trapped bubbles

173 2.64 Butanol-1 EO Clear

alkoxylate for ~5 mins.

Alcohol Yes. Trapped bubbles

174 2.43 Butanol-1 EO Clear

alkoxylate for > 30 mins

Alcohol Yes. Trapped bubbles

175 2.12 Butanol-1 EO Clear

alkoxylate for 15 - 30 mins

Alcohol Yes. Trapped bubbles

176 2.20 Butanol-1 EO Clear

alkoxylate for 15 - 30 mins

Alcohol Yes. Trapped bubbles

177 2.21 Butanol-1 EO Clear

alkoxylate for 15 - 30 mins

Alcohol Yes. Trapped bubbles

178 2.55 Butanol-1 EO Clear

alkoxylate for 20 mins

Alcohol Yes. Trapped bubbles

179 2.56 Butanol-1 EO Clear

alkoxylate for 15 - 30 mins

Alcohol Yes. Trapped bubbles

180 2.57 Butanol-1 EO Clear

alkoxylate for 10 mins Alcohol Yes. Trapped bubbles

181 2.58 Butanol-1 EO Clear

alkoxylate for 10 mins

Methyl ethyl AlkyI methyl Yes. Bubbles trapped

182 2.63 Clear

ketone ketone for > 16 hrs

N,N,2-

Alkyldimethylami

183 2.63 trimethyl- Clear Yes

de

propinamide

N,N,-diethyl Alkyldimethylami

184 2.63 Clear Yes

propinamide de

N,N-

Alkyldimethylami

185 2.63 dimethyldeca Clear Yes

de

namide

186 2.63 Tallow nitrile Alkylnitrile Clear Yes

187 2.63 Butylamine Amine Clear Yes

188 2.63 Cocoamine Amine Clear Yes

Aromatic

189 2.63 Benzene Clear Yes

compound

Aromatic

190 2.63 Toluene Clear Yes

compound

Aromatic

191 2.63 Xylene Clear Yes

compound

Aromatic Yes. Trapped bubbles

192 2.56 Xylene Clear

compound for 15 - 30 mins

Solvent

Naphtha, Aromatic

193 2.63 Clear Yes

Heavy compound

Aromatic

Butyloctyl Aromatic Yes. Trapped bubbled

194 2.63 Clear

Salicylate compound for 2 hrs

Phenol Aromatic Yes. Trapped bubbles

196 2.63 Clear

ethoxylate compound for > 30 mins

Chlorine

Methylene

197 2.63 substituted Clear Yes

chloride

hydrocarbons

Chlorine

198 2.63 Chloroform substituted Clear Yes

hydrocarbons

: Comparative Example

Intelimer 13-6, dextrin palmitate, OleoCraft LP-20, and OleoCraft HP-31 are known oil thickeners and are comparative examples. As shown, most of these comparative example thickeners fail to thicken the tested organic liquids, and in many cases created an undesirable and unusuable wax or a paste. In some limited cases OleoCraft LP-20 showed some thickening ability, but failed to thicken across the wide va ety and range of organic liquids that the polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure exhibited. Even for organic liquids that are very difficult to thicken such as isostearyl alcohol, the polymeric rheology modifiers of the invention exhibited thickening ability at slightly elevated temperatures (unlike the comparative examples). Sample 2.59 contains a very high level of cross-linker, which limits the effectiveness of this sample as a thickener in some cases.

Example 4. Polymeric Rheology Modifier Thickening Performance in Fatty Acid Esters

The viscosity of exemplary polymeric rheology modifiers in soy methyl ester (SME) was measured. SME is a clear low viscosity liquid with a viscosity of about 3 - 8 mPas at room temperature. Increased viscosity is indicative of thickening ability of the rheology modifier being analysed.

Table 4. Thickened SME Oil with Exemplary Polymeric Rheology Modifiers

Brookfield Viscosity, mPas

Viscosity

Polymeric Polymeric

SME, 10 20 50 100 Ratio of

Lot# Rheology Rheology

wt% rpm rpm rpm rpm 10:100 Modifier Modifier, wt%

rpm

2716-7-1 97 1 3 640 440 288 216 2.96

2716-7-6 97 2.7 3 560 360 248 188 2.98

2716-7-7 97 2.37 3 360 260 200 156 2.31

2716-7-8 97 2.26 3 600 440 304 240 2.50

2716-14-4 97 2.28 3 510 365 244 188 2.71 ^*

2716-14-5 97 2.27 3 450 320 208 158 2.85 ^*

2729-95-1 97 2.16 3 330 245 170 134 2.46

2729-95-4 97 2.8 3 360 265 184 145 2.48

2729-95-7 97 2.11 3 240 185 132 109 2.20

2729-95-10 97 2.12 3 630 460 318 248 2.54

2729-95-15 95.8 2.13 4.2 1230 875 568 379 3.25

2729-95-16 97 2.21 3 260 220 145 1 15 2.26

2741 -1-2 96.4 2.18 3.6 360 260 170 130 2.77

2741 -1-5 96.4 2.17 3.6 350 255 168 125 2.80

2741 -1-9 95.8 2.15 4.2 570 400 262 189 3.02

2741 -1-12 95.8 2.19 4.2 1190 850 556 412 2.89

2741 -1-15 95.8 2.20 4.2 700 475 300 218 3.21

2741 -1-16 97 2.21 3 260 220 145 1 15 2.26

2741 -16-3 97 2.29 3 480 350 230 177 2.71

2741 -16-2 97 2.50 3 400 325 246 197 2.03

2741 -16-6 97 2.52 3 480 370 272 215 2.23 2741 -16-7 97 2.53 3 270 225 162 130 2.08

2741 -16-8 97 2.54 3 260 205 148 1 19 2.18

2741 -16-10 97 2.56 3 400 305 222 172 2.33

2741 -16-1 1 97 2.47 3 550 380 290 204 2.70

2716-7-4 97 2.2 3 520 420 296 232 2.24

2716-7-3 97 2.3 3 280 220 160 120 2.33

2761 -66-2 97 2.25 3 771 621 475 N/A

2761 -66-6 97 2.65 3 771 621 475 N/A

^* : Viscosity measured 1 day after preparation at 27.5 ^° C

Viscosity of the lots above was measured using a standard Brookfield viscometer process well known to those skilled in the art. Viscosities for the samples in this Example 4 were measured with a Brookfield DV-I Prime viscometer at 22 °C. Lot numbers designated 2716-7-x were measured with a #4 spindle. All other samples in this Example 3 were measured with a #3 spindle. The polymeric rheology modifiers were dispersed slowly into SME under adequate agitation and were dissolved fully with agitation before the viscosity measurement.

The results in this Table 4 show that the rheology modifiers shown in Example 4 are able to thicken SME and the thickened organic liquid compositions display shear thinning property (e.g. viscosity is lower at higher shear rate). High shear thinning property is an advantageous property and is believed to be associated with the ability of the polymeric rheology modifier to suspend solids.

Example 5. Additional Thickening Properties in Mixed Organic Liquids

The viscosities of a thickened organic liquid composition containing soy methyl ester and soy oil in this Example were measured with a Brookfield DV-II+ Pro viscometer with spindle #64 at 22 °C.

Table 5. Thickened organic liquids (SME and Soybean Oil) with Exemplary Polymeric Rheology Modifiers

Brookfield DV-II+ Pro spindle # 64. Viscosity (mPas). 3 days at RT

Polymeric

Soy rheology

SME oil modifier Comment 100 10

Sample wt% wt% (4.76%) (visual) rpm 50 rpm 20 rpm rpm Clear

appearance.

Short hydration

time. Fish eyes

2716-2- occur with slow

9 95.24 2.25 mixing time. 1120 1392 1950 2300

Clear

appearance.

2716-2- Short hydration

10 95.24 1 time. 700 900 1650 2500

Clear

appearance.

2716-2- Short hydration

1 1 47.62 47.62 2.25 time. 1700 2100 2790 3659

Clear

appearance.

2716-2- Short hydration

12 47.62 47.62 1 time. Thickened

1 hour to create

2716-2- clear

13 14.29 80.95 2.25 appearance. 3000 3479 4350 5300

1 hour to create

clear

2716-2- appearance.

14 14.29 80.95 1 Thickened

30 mins to

create clear

2716-2- appearance.

15 23.81 71 .43 1 Thickened

Table 5 shows that the rheology modifiers of the present disclosure can thicken mixtures of SME and soybean oil.

Example 6. Cross-linking Effect of IBXMA-Styrene-IBMA-LMA Polyme c Rheology Modifier The viscosities of a cross linked and a non-cross linked IBXMA-styrene-IBMA-LMA polymehc rheology modifier were measured using an Anton Paar MCR302 rheometer. Table 6. Viscosity of IBXMA-Styrene-IBMA-LMA Polymeric Rheology Modifier with and without crosslinking in Samples of 5% in rapeseed methyl ester (RME).

5% Thickener 2.71 (no cross linking) in 5% Thickener 2.68 (200 ppm cross linking) in

RME RME

Shear rate,

1/s Viscosity, mPas Viscosity, mPas

0.1 1860 2770

0.134 1880 2780

0.18 1870 2740

0.241 1860 2700

0.324 1850 2640

0.434 1830 2570

0.582 1800 2490

0.781 1770 2380

1.05 1720 2270

1.41 1660 2150

1.89 1600 2030

2.53 1530 1900

3.39 1450 1780

4.55 1370 1660

6.11 1290 1550

8.19 1200 1430

11 1110 1320

14.7 1030 1210

19.8 945 1110

26.5 865 1010

35.6 790 917

47.7 722 829

64 662 745

85.8 607 668

115 552 601

154 498 541

207 446 490

278 400 446

373 357 410

500 318 375

Ratio of

0.1/500 5.85 7.39 The viscosity of RME at 20 °C is 5.3-7.9 mPas, which is much lower than the viscosities of the example 6 samples. The result in this example shows that both thickeners 2803-01 (non-cross- linked) and 2900-37A (200 ppm cross-linked) can thicken RME with a shear thinning property. The cross-linked version had a higher viscosity and higher shear thinning property compared to the non-cross-linked version. For the purpose of suspending solid particles in organic liquids, the polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure preferably is cross- linked.

Example 7. Cross-linking Effect of IBXMA-IBMA Polymeric Rheology Modifier

The viscosities of a cross linked and a non-cross linked IBXMA-IBMA polymeric rheology modifier were measured using an Anton Paar MCR302 rheometer. Table 7. Thickening ability of IBXMA:IBMA=50:50 polymeric rheology modifier (5%) with various degrees of cross-linking in rapeseed methyl ester (RME).

Sample # 2.73 2.25 1 1 2.32

Cross Linking

level 0 ppm 204 ppm 500 ppm 1000 ppm 2000 ppm

Viscosity, Viscosity, Viscosity, Viscosity, Viscosity,

Shear Rate, 1/s mPas mPas mPas mPas mPas

0.1 1820 5550 14400 9110 3890

0.134 1840 4930 11000 7160 3170

0.18 1830 4470 9040 5800 2630

0.241 1820 4030 7470 4700 2190

0.324 1810 3630 6190 3830 1820

0.434 1790 3270 5130 3180 1520

0.582 1770 2950 4270 2710 1270

0.781 1740 2670 3560 2340 1070

1.05 1700 2420 2980 2060 894

1.41 1650 2200 2500 1830 752

1.89 1600 2020 2110 1620 634

2.53 1530 1850 1790 1390 535

3.39 1460 1690 1520 1170 453

4.55 1380 1550 1300 968 384

6.11 1290 1420 1120 799 327

8.19 1200 1300 967 650 279

11 1100 1180 837 520 240

14.7 1010 1080 712 411 206

19.8 915 978 546 324 179

26.5 825 877 481 261 156

35.6 739 788 440 220 137

47.7 659 704 412 191 121 64 585 628 395 173 107

85.8 520 557 397 160 96.5

115 462 494 365 150 87.4

154 412 437 334 143 80

207 367 389 306 141 74.1

278 327 353 279 154 69.2

373 292 322 255 144 65.2

500 262 295 231 134 61.8

Thicken Thicke

Sample # 2.73 2.73 2.25 2.25 er 1 ner 1 2.31 2.31

Cross Linking 204 204 500 1000 1000

Level 0 ppm 0 ppm ppm ppm 500 ppm ppm ppm ppm

Added

Emulsifier ^* No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes

Viscosi Viscosi Viscosi Viscosi Viscosity Viscosi Viscosi Viscosi

Shear Rate, ty, ty, ty, ty, , ty, ty, ty,

[1/s] mPas mPas mPas mPas mPas mPas mPas mPas

0.1 1820 2140 5550 6080 14400 1 1 100 9110 9060

0.134 1840 2160 4930 5400 1 1000 8720 7160 7160

0.18 1830 2170 4470 4860 9040 7310 5800 5900

0.241 1820 2160 4030 4370 7470 6120 4700 4850

0.324 1810 2160 3630 3930 6190 5130 3830 4000

0.434 1790 2140 3270 3540 5130 4320 3180 3300

0.582 1770 2120 2950 3190 4270 3640 2710 2740

0.781 1740 2080 2670 2880 3560 3080 2340 2270

1 .05 1700 2030 2420 2610 2980 2610 2060 1880

1 .41 1650 1970 2200 2380 2500 2220 1830 1570

1 .89 1600 1890 2020 2170 21 10 1890 1620 1320

2.53 1530 1810 1850 1980 1790 1630 1390 1 110

3.39 1460 1710 1690 1810 1520 1410 1 170 942

4.55 1380 1610 1550 1660 1300 1230 968 803

6.1 1 1290 1500 1420 1520 1120 1070 799 690

8.19 1200 1390 1300 1400 967 943 650 597

1 1 1100 1270 1 180 1270 837 834 520 519

14.7 1010 1 160 1080 1 160 712 745 411 455

19.8 915 1050 978 1050 546 669 324 402

26.5 825 944 877 955 481 606 261 358

35.6 739 846 788 861 440 552 220 322

47.7 659 755 704 774 412 504 191 292

64 585 673 628 694 395 462 173 266

85.8 520 600 557 621 397 424 160 244

1 15 462 537 494 555 365 389 150 225

154 412 482 437 496 334 357 143 208

207 367 431 389 446 306 327 141 192

278 327 386 353 406 279 301 154 179 373 292 348 322 373 255 277 144 166

500 262 316 295 344 231 257 134 155

This result indicates that cross-linking can improve the thickening performance with larger shear thinning property. Above a certain concentration of cross-linker, the viscosity begins to fall.

Example 8. IBXMA:IBMA=50:50 Polymeric Rheology Modifier Interaction with Emulsifiers The polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure perform well as thickeners both in the presence and in the absence of emulsifiers typically used in the art. Thickeners 2.73, 2.25, 1 , and 2.31 were analysed in 5% RME in the presence of a 50:50 emulsifier mixture of Emulpon CO-200 castor oil ethoxylates and Witconate P-1220EH calcium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (60%). Viscosity and shear rate was measured according to the procedures discussed above in Examples 6 and 7.

Table 8. Thickening performance of IBXMA:IBMA=50:50 polymeric rheology modifiers in rapeseed methyl ester, 5% polymer, with and without added emulsifier (5%)

^* Emulsifier is a 1 :1 blend of Witconate P1460EH and Emulpon CO-200

The result shows that emulsifiers Emulpon CO-200 and Witconate P-1460EH do not significantly affect the thickening performance of the polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure.

Example 9 Styrene:IBMA:LMA=40:50:10 Polymeric Rheology Modifier Interaction with Emulsifiers

Table 9. Thickening performance of a polymeric rheology modifier Thickener 2.1 (2607-71 ), Styrene: IBMA:LMA=40:50:10 (104 ppm cross linker), in soy methyl ester in the presence of emulsifiers.

Emulsifier = Witconate P1220EH : Armotan AL6966 : Ethylan NS500LQ (20:60:20). The data in Table 9 illustrates that the presence of an emulsifier does not affect the thickening performance of the polyme c rheology modifiers of the disclosure.

Example 10. Polyme c Rheology Modifiers Formulated with Talc Model Powder

The ability of fatty acid ester formulations containing polymehc rheology modifiers of the disclosure to suspend powder was analysed using talc model powder. Talc model powder (Talc-Luzena c 10 mo, particle size < 10 microns) was formulated in soy methyl ester (SME) as set forth below. Viscosity and shear thinning values were measured according to the procedures set forth above.

A sample was considered to suspend particles if the sample had less than 10% top clear after 14 days at 50 °C with a polymehc rheology modifier concentration of less than 4 wt% of the total formulation. Top clear means the top portion of the composition containing no solid particle as visually observed and as measured in relation to the total composition height.

Table 10A. Thickened Organic Liquid Compositions Stabilizing Talc Powder

Sample SME, Talc, Polymer wt% of Appearance after 14

Lot# # wt% wt% (mg/kg XL) polymer days at 50 °C

Easy to disperse but

Control 85 15 talc particles settled

quickly.

No separation after 14

10.1 80.5 17 2.16 (502) 2.5 2729-95-1 T days at 50C

No separation after 14

days at 50C. 5% top

10.2 80.5 17 2.8 (500) 2.5 2729-95-4T clear and no sediment

after 60 days at 50C.

No separation after 14

10.3 80.5 17 2.1 1 (650) 2.5 2729-95-7T days at 50C

No separation after 14

10.4 80.5 17 2.12 (350) 2.5 2729-95-10T days at 50C

No separation after 14

10.5 79.5 17 2.13 (650) 3.5 2729-95-15T days at 50C

No separation after 14

10.6 80 17 2.21 (465.3) 3 2729-95-17T days at 50C

5% top clear and no

10.7 80.5 17 2.10 (500) 2.5 sediment after 60 days 2716-19-5 at 50C.

No separation after 60

10.8 80.5 17 2.27 (500) 2.5 2716-19-6 days at 50C. 10.9 82 15 2.6 (200) 3 No separation 2903-69-7

10.10 80 17 2.47 (500) 3 No separation 2716-17-1

10.1 1 80 17 2.43 (500) 3 No separation 2716-17-2

10.12 80 17 2.27 (500) 3 No separation 2716-17-3

1 .8% top clear after 2

10.13 80 17 2.18 (465.3) 3 2741 -1-2T weeks at 50C

No separation after 2

10.14 80 17 2.17 (756) 3 2741 -1-5T weeks at 50C

2% top clear after 2

10.15 79.5 17 2.20 (1046.8) 3.5 2741-1 -15T weeks at 50C

3.6% top clear and no

10.16 79.5 17 2.22 (1500) 3.50% sediment after 14 days 2741 -34-2 at 50C.

72.7% top clear after 14

10.17 79.5 17 2.23 (2000) 3.50% 2741 -34-4 days at 50C.

69.8% top clear after 14

10.18 79.5 17 2.62 (0) 3.50% 2741 -22-2 days at 50C.

72.7% top clear after 14

10.19 79.5 15 2.24 (3000) 3.50% 2741 -22-4 days at 50C.

5.7% top clear and no

10.20 82 17 2.25 (204) 3.00% sediment after 14 days 2903-87-2 at 50C.

10.21 80 17 2.21 3 1 .8% top clear 2741-1 -17T

10.22 83 15 2.73 (0) 2 70% top clear

10.23 82 15 2.73 (0) 3 23.3% top clear

10.24 81 15 2.73 (0) 4 15% top clear

10.25 83 15 2.25 (204) 2 5.6% top clear

10.26 82 15 2.25 (204) 3 5.7% top clear

10.27 81 15 2.25 (204) 4 5.4% top clear

10.28 83 15 1 (500) 2 5.4% top clear

10.29 82 15 1 (500) 3 No separation

10.30 81 15 1 (500) 4 No separation 10.31 83 15 2.31 (1000) 2 44.7% top clear

10.32 82 15 2.31 (1000) 3 5% top clear

10.33 81 15 2.31 (1000) 4 No separation

10.34 82 15 2.32 (2000) 3 44% top clear

10.35 81 15 2.32 (2000) 4 No separation

The amount of cross-linker in the polymer and the amount of polymer in the formulation can be adjusted to achieve optimum thickening for a particular application and optimum suspension of particulates.

Table 10B. Viscosities of Table 10A Formulations

The result in this example shows that polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure have the ability to thicken SME and suspend talc particle (and by extension suspend other solid particles of similar size). The viscosity remained relatively stable after the storage test.

Example 11. Polymeric Rheology Modifiers Suspending Agrochemicals in the Absence of Emulsifiers

Various polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure were combined with soy methyl ester to make thickened oil formulations containing Tebuconazole pesticide (a triazole fungicide).

Table 11. Polymeric Rheology Modifiers Suspension of Agrochemicals

This example shows that 2.5% polymeric rheology modifier (2900-37B) is able to suspend tebuconazole particles without the presence of emulsifiers. The thickened organic liquid is stable and the viscosity remains relatively unchanged after storage.

The thickened organic liquidcomposition of the disclosure is also stable after 3 cycles of freeze- thaw (3 F/T). To determine stability after freeze/thaw cycles, the composition was subjected to the appropriate number of freeze/thaw cycles and then visually observed for crystal formation. A composition with no crystal formation after these cycles determined to be stable.

Example 12. Polyme c Rheology Modifiers Suspending Agrochemicals in the Presence and Absence of Emulsifiers

Various polyme c rheology modifiers of the disclosure were combined with soy methyl ester to make thickened organic liquid compositions containing Tebuconazole (fungicide), Azoxystrobin (fungicide), or Captan (fungicide). Thickened organic liquidi compositions containing emulsifiers were compared to thickened organic liquid compositions without emulsifiers.

Table 12A. Agrochemical Thickened Organic Liquid Formulations With and Without Emulsifiers.

Smpl SME Polymehc rheology Pesticide Emulsifier ^* Sample # wt% modifier (3 wt%) (25 wt%) wt% Process ^*

2716-

72 2.1 Azoxystrobin

8-2 1

2716-

72 2.7 Tebuconazole

8-4 1

2716-

72 2.7 Azoxystrobin

8-5 1

2716-

72 2.7 Captan

8-6 1

2716-

72 2.37 Azoxystrobin

8-8 1

2716-

72 2.26 Tebuconazole

8-10 1

2716-

72 2.26 Azoxystrobin

8-11 1

2716-

72 1 Tebuconazole

8-13 1

2716-

72 1 Azoxystrobin

8-14 1

2716-

72 1 Captan

8-15 1

2716-

67 2.7 Tebuconazole 5

8-17 2

2716- 67 1 Tebuconazole 5 2 8-20

2716-

67 2.28 Tebuconazole 5

14-2 2

Emulsifier = Armotan AL6966 : Witconate P1220EH : Ethylan NS500LQ (60:20:20)

^* Process 1 : Homogenized without thickener for 10 minutes before centrifugal mixing with 1 mm beads using a DAC 150.1 FVZ-K machine.

^* Process 2: Homogenized pesticide in SME, followed by addition of thickener. Table 12B. Storage Stability and Viscosity of Samples from Table 12A.

Initial RT Brookfield DV-I Prime 14 days RT or 50C viscosity, Spindle 5 viscosity, mPas mPas

Appearance at

100 50 20 10 50C 14 days, or 100 50 20 10

Lot# rpm rpm rpm rpm RT 50 days rpm rpm rpm rpm

2716- 50C: viscous,

8-2 1900 2326 3140 3880 smooth. 2136 2672 3500 4320

RT: No

2716- separation.

8-4 528 696 1040 1440 Smooth 556 728 1080 1480

RT: No

2716- separation.

8-5 832 1 168 1900 2880 Smooth 788 1088 1780 2640

50C: No

2716- separation.

8-6 376 496 760 1040 Smooth 396 528 800 1 120

50C: No

2716- separation.

8-8 696 896 1300 1640 Smooth. 660 888 1300 1840

2716- RT: 2% top clear.

8-10 740 936 1300 1680 Smooth 772 968 1340 1680

RT: No

2716- separation.

8-11 964 1280 1880 2560 Smooth 1028 1344 1920 2560

2716- RT: No

8-13 664 872 1280 1800 separation. 684 896 1300 1800 Smooth

RT: No

2716- separation.

8-14 752 1008 1520 2080 Smooth 764 1016 1520 2120

50C: No

2716- separation.

8-15 488 640 980 1360 Smooth 496 648 980 1360

50C: No

2716- separation.

8-17 776 1024 1540 2160 Smooth. 872 1128 1660 2280

50C: No

2716- separation.

8-20 916 1304 1940 2520 Smooth. 1000 1312 1900 2640

20 days in 50C

2716- no separation.

14-2 766 1000 1470 2080 Top is darker.

Viscosity was measured using Brookfield DV-I Prime. At 3% loading the samples in this example were able to suspend the studied pesticide powders.

Example 13. OD formulation with polysaccharide additives Polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure or Attagel 50 (gelling agent) were combined with soy methyl ester to make OD formulations containing Tebuconazole (fungicide) or Imidacloprid (insecticide). Some OD formulations contained Walocel 60K, a MHEC cellulosic polymer.

Table 13A. OD formulations with polysaccharide additive

Smpl Liquid Thickener Walocel Pesticide /

# phase Wt% 1 wt% 60K wt% Additive Wt% Appearance

2716- Settled quickly. 1 1-0 SME 75 0 25 Fail

35 day RT 1 % separation. 14day 40 °C trace

2716- separation. No 1 1-1 SME 72 3 25 hard pack. SME: 30 day RT 1 % top

2716- soy oil clear. No hard 1 1-3 = 50:50 72 3 25 pack. 3 F/T stable.

14 day at 40C ~

Surf 2% top clear. 35 262: day RT 2% top

2716- SME = clear. No hard 1 1-4 6:91 75.5 2.5 22 pack. 3 F/T stable.

30 day RT ~10%

Surf top clear. No hard 262: pack. Hand

2716- SME = shaken. 3 F/T 1 1-7 6:91 67.9 2.1 5 Imidacloprid 23.1 stable.

No thickening.

2716- Settled quickly. 12-5 SME 96.67 Attagel 50 3.33 Fail

No thickening.

2716- Settled quickly. 12-6 Soy oil 97.4 Attagel 50 2.6 Fail

Surf

262:

2716- SME = 14 days at 40C < 13-3 6:91 69.7 2.3 5 Tebuconazole 23 2% top clear.

Surf 262= 20% Witconate P-1220EH + 60% Armotan AI6966 + 20% Ethylan NS-500LQ

Attagel 50, a common clay thickener used in many OD formulations, did not thicken the SME under the same conditions as the rheology modifier of the present disclosure.

Viscosity measurements of selected samples were made using the process set forth above.

Table 13B. Brookfield (DV-II+ Pro) Viscosity data for samples from Table 13A.

Sample Lot # SPDL # RPM Viscosity Days at RT after preparation

2716-1 1-3 62 5 9000 35

62 10 7800 62 20 6269

62 50 4100

62 100 3071

2716-1 1-4 64 10 3539 35

64 20 2669

64 50 1824

64 100 1356

2716-1 1-7 62 5 1700 32

62 10 1296

62 20 997

64 50 720

64 100 600

This Table 13B shows that the polysaccharide Walocel 60K cellulosic drift control agent settled in SME and soil quickly in the absence of the polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure. The suspension aid Attagel 50, known in the art, does not have thickening ability in SME or soy oil (sample 2716-12-5 and 2716-12-6). Polymeric rheology modifier 2900-37B showed the ability to suspend Walocel 60K in SME with and without the presence of emulsifier Surf 262 (sample 2716-1 1-1 and 2716-1 1-4). Thickener 1 (2900-37B) was able to suspend Walocel 60K in a mixed oil liquid phase (SME:soy Oil = 50:50) as shown in sample 2716-11 -3. 2900-37B was also able to suspend pesticides (imidacloprid and tebuconazole) and a drift control agent polysaccharide (Walocel 60K) within the same thickened orgnanic liquid composition.

Table 12C. Thickened Organic Liquid Compositions with Polysaccharide (Guar Gum and Xanthan Gum)

Appearance

Drift after 18

Smpl Liquid Thickener Control days at 40 # phase Wt% 2.27 wt% Agent Wt% Pesticide Wt% °C

Surf AGRHO

2716- 262:SME DR- Trace Top 15-1 (6:91 ) 75.4 2.6 2000 22 Clear

2716- Surf Kelzan Trace Top 15-2 262:SME 75.4 2.6 S 22 Clear (6:91 ) xanthan

gum

Surf AGRHO

2716- 262:SME DR- 4% Top 15-3 (6:91 ) 69.6 2.4 2000 5 Tebuconazole 23 Clear. Good

Surf AGRHO

2716- 262:SME DR- Trace Top 15-4 (6:91 ) 69.6 2.4 2000 5 Imidacloprid 22 Clear

Surf

2716- 262:SME Walocel 4% Top 15-5 (6:91 ) 81 3 60K 16 Clear. Good

Surf 262= 20% Witconate P-1220EH + 60% Armotan AI6966 + 20% Ethylan NS-500LQ Brookfield DV-II+ Pro Spindle 64 viscosity of 2716-15-5:

10 rpm 1500 mPas

20 rpm 1020 mPas 50 rpm 732 mPas

100 rpm 558 mPas

The samples were prepared by initially mixing the powders and then adding the powder mixture to the liquid phase. The mixing was carried out by an overhead mixer.

Example 14. Azoxystrobin (25%) with SME, Rheology Modifiers (35:65 IBXMA:IBMA) of the disclosure, and Emulsifiers

Table 14A. Thickened Organic Liquid Composition with Azoxystrobin

Surf 8:2 = 80% (60:20:20 = Witconate P-1220EH:Armotan AL 69-66:Ethylan NS-500LQ) and 20% ACAR 16028

^* Thickener identified below in Table 14B The thickened oil composition was prepared by bead milling azoxystrobin together with SME and Surf 8:2 using a Eiger Mini Motormill M100, Model #: MK11 M100 VSE TVF Dl at -4500 rpm with 1-1 .6 mm zirconium silica beads for 15 minutes with 10 °C cooling water to cool the milling chamber and to obtain a slurry. The thickener (identified below in Table 14B) was added to the bead-milled slurry and homogenized at - 12000 rpm for several minutes.

The slurry without the thickener was unstable and showed > 10% separation overnight at room temperature.

Table 14B. Viscosity and stability of the thickened organic liquid of Table 14A

This example illustrates that the rheology modifiers of the disclosure were able to suspend azoxystrobin powder without any separation at 54 °C for 2-3 weeks.

Example 15. Azoxystrobin (25%) with SME, Rheology Modifiers (9.4:24.6:66 styrene:IBXMA:IBMA) of the disclosure, and Emulsifiers Table 15A. Thickened Oil Composition with Azoxystrobin 2761 -8 wt%

SME 67.5

Azoxystrobin 25

Surf 8:2 5

Thickener ^* 3

^* Thickener identified below in Table 15B

The thickened organic liquid compositions of Example 15 were prepared using the same method described in Example 15, except the rheology modifiers were different as detailed further below in Table 15B.

Table 15B. Viscosity and stability of the thickened oil compositions of Table 14A

This example 15 showed that the rheology modifiers of the disclosure were able to suspend azoxystrobin powder adequately at 54 °C for 2 weeks. It was noticed that the sample (100 g in 4 oz jar with a sample hieght ~ 62 mm) was more viscious at the bottom and the amount that did not flow after inverting the samples upside down was proportional to the top clear amount. However, the samples were able to return to homogenous after gentle shaking.

Example 16. Additional Thickened Organic Liquid Composition Samples with Polyme c Rheology Modifiers 1 and 2.25

Table 16. Composition and stability of additional thickened oil compositions

Surf 262 = 2:6:2 Witconate P1220EH: Armotan AI6966: Ethylan NS500LQ

Surf 271 = 2:7:1 Witconate P1220EH: Armotan AI6966: Ethylan NS500LQ

This Example 15 illustrates that the thickened compounds of the disclosure can suspend various solid agrochemicals.

Example 17. Suspension of Copper Oxychloride in SME Table 17. Composition and stability of additional thickened oil compositions

This Example 17 illustrates that the thickened compounds of the disclosure can suspend copper oxychloride.

Example 18. Nicosulfuron herbicide OD Formulations

Table 18. Composition and stability of additional thickened organic liquid compositions

Surf 8:2 = 80% Surf 622 (Witconate P-1220EH : Armotan AL 69-99 : Ethylan NS-500LQ) : 20% ACAR 16028. The samples were milled with a machine (Eiger Torrance Limited - Mini Moto 250) using a glass, borosilicate beads at a size of 1 mm in diameter. Milling time was 15 - 30 minutes and milling speed was 3500 - 4500 rpm.

Example 19. Performance of Additional Samples

Table 19. Composition and stability of additional thickened organic liquid compositions

Surf 55:05:40 = Witconate P-1220EH : Emulpon CO-360 : Ethylan NS-500LQ.(55:5:45) Example 20. Pesticide ODs

Table 20. Composition, viscosity data, and storage stability

mPas

100 1 164 1260 1722

50 1728 1860 2459

20 3029 3449 3899

10 5159 5579 6599

5 7678 8278 10798

After 2 weeks at 54C

Vise,

rpm Vise, mPas Vise, mPas mPas

100 1518 1638 2256

50 2040 2148 3215

20 3179 3539 4949

10 4979 5159 7358

5 7438 7558 9238

Separation 5% no sep no sep

Surf (55:40:5) = Witconate P-1220EH : Emulpon CO-360 : Ethylan NS-500LQ (55:40:5) Surf (30:30:40) = Witconate P-1220EH:Emulpon CO-360:Ethylan NS-500LQ (30:30:40) Example 21. Polymeric Rheology Modifier Thickening and Suspending Performance in Aromatic Solvents

The viscosity of exemplary polymeric rheology modifiers in aromatic solvent was measured. Aromatic 200 Fluid from Exxon Mobil was used as the solvent to create formulations containing Azoxystrobin (fungicide) and Mancozeb (fungicide). Aromatic 200 is a heavy aromatic naptha (petroleum) solvent having a flash point of about 200 °F, and a viscosity of less than 5 mPas at room temperature. Increased viscosity is indicative of thickening ability of the rheology modifier being analysed.

The thickened solvent composition was prepared by bead milling azoxystrobin together with Aromatic 200 and Surf 55:40:5 using an Eiger Mini Motormill M100, Model #: MK11 M100 VSE TVF Dl at -4500 rpm with 1 -1 .6 mm zirconium silica beads for 15 minutes with 10 °C cooling water to cool the milling chamber and to obtain a slurry. The thickener was added to the bead- milled slurry and homogenized at ~ 12000 rpm for several minutes.

Table 21. Viscosities of Pesticide Formulations Using Aromatic Solvent

11 -8-16-1 1 1-8-16-2 11 -8-16-3 11 -8-16-4

Aromatic 200 67 67 57 57

Azoxystrobin

fungicide 25 25 Mancozeb

fungicide 35 35

Surf 55:40:5 5 5 5 5

Thickener 2.9 3 3

Thickener 2.48 3 3

Brookfield DV-II+ Pro Viscometer, spindle 63, Initial viscosity 22 ^" C

RPM Vise, mPas Vise, mPas Vise, mPas Vise, mPas

100 1050 1 170 1 169

50 1510 1620 1650

20 2600 2650 4200 2600

10 4100 4000 6191 3800

5 6500 6100 9470 5495

2 13000 1 1700 18000 9900

1 20630 18600 29300 15600

0.5 35272 32390 51353 25914

After 3 weeks at 54 °C

10 4163 4151 6323

Surf 55:40:5 = Witconate P-1220EH: Emulpon CO360: Ethylan NS500LQ (55:40:5)

Without the thickeners, mancozeb and azoxystrobin in this example settled to bottom overnight.

With 3% thickener, all four samples in this example were stable (no lump, no cream, and no sediment) after 3 weeks at 54 °C. As shown with the viscosity data, the samples showed strong shear thinning property. High shear thinning property is an advantageous property and is believed to be associated with the ability of the polymeric rheology modifier to suspend solids. As rheology modifiers, 2907-34A and 2907-34B works well in aromatic solvents. The amount of thickener may be reduced and still exhibit thickening and suspending properties. Aromatic solvents have traditionally been used in agro formulations due to their low cost. For this reason, mixtures of aromatic solvents with other more expensive mediums such as oils would be preferred.

Example 22 Polymeric Rheology Modifiers Stabilizing Solid Agrochemicals in Aromatic Solvent Formulations

The ability of aromatic solvent formulations containing polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure to suspend powder was analysed. Aromatic 150 Fluid from Exxon Mobil was used as the solvent to create OD formulations containing Mancozeb (fungicide). Aromatic 150 is a heavy aromatic naptha (petroleum) solvent having a flash point of about 150 °F, and a viscosity of less than 5 mPas at room temperature.

Top clear means the top portion of the composition containing no solid particle as visually observed and as measured in relation to the total composition height.

Table 22. Thickened Solvent Compositions Stabilizing Mancozeb Fungicide

wt%

Aromatic 150 solvent 46.43

Mancozeb fungicide 48.98

Surf 55:5:40 emulsifier 3.06

Thickener 2.9 1 .53

RPM, spindle 64 Brookfield DV-II+ Vise. (mPas) 22 ^" C

100 1524

50 1884

20 2609

10 3719

5 4559

2 9598

1 14397 Surf 55:5:40 = Witconate P-1220EH: Emulpon CO360: Ethylan NS500LQ (55:5:40).

The thickener dissolved in Aromatic 150 easily without heating. After the thickener was dissolved, the emulsifier blend and Mancozeb powder was added. The sample was homogenized at 12000 rpm for 10 minutes.

This Mancozeb OD formulation was stable (< 1 % top clear, no lumps and no sediment of the Mancozeb particles) after 14 days at 54 °C. The sample flowed easily. Without the thickener, Mancozeb in Aromatic 150 settled to bottom after several hours.

Example 23. Imidacloprid OD and atrazine OD thickened by thickener 2.63

The thickened organic liquid composition (ODs) was prepared by bead milling the active ingredient together with the organic liquid (Aromatic 200 or SME) and Surf 55;40:5 using a Eiger Mini Motormill M100, Model #: MK1 1 M100 VSE TVF Dl at -4500 rpm with 1 -1.6 mm zirconium silica beads for 15 minutes with 10 °C cooling water to cool the milling chamber and to obtain a slurry. The thickener 2907-82 was added to the bead-milled slurry and homogenized at ~ 8000 rpm for several minutes. Viscosity was measured before and after 54°C storage test. The stability after 54°C storage test was observed. The results are shown in Table 23.

Table 23. Compositions and results of imidacloprid OD and atrazine OD thickened by thickener 2.63

2780-14-6 2780-14-7 2780-14-9

Imidacloprid 25 25

Atrazine 20

Thickener 2.63 3 3 2.4

SME 64

Aromatic 200 67 73.6

Surf 55:40:5 3.9 5 4

Brookfield DVII+ Spindle Initial Viscosity,

setting 64 mPas

100 rpm 858 1224 1308

50 rpm 1080 1740 2112 20 rpm 1620 2939 3749

10 rpm 2280 4499 6119

5 rpm 3119 6959 10558

2 weeks @ 54°C 100% stable 100% stable 100% stable

100 rpm 708 1350 1038

50 rpm 900 1872 1584

20 rpm 1410 31 19 2909

10 rpm 2220 4919 4799

5 rpm 2999 7198 7558

Surf 55:40:5 = Witconate P-1220EH: Emulpon CO360: Ethylan NS500LQ (55:40:5)

Example 24. Pesticide ODs in vegetable oil stabilized by thickener 2.63

Same preparation process was used as in example 23.

Table 24. Composition and results of pesticide ODs in vegetable oil stabilized by thickener 2907-82

2780-20-2 2780-20-5 2780-20-4 wt% wt% wt%

Azoxystrobin 23.04 X X

Atrazine X 18.37 X

Imidacloprid X X 25

Thickener 2.63 2.26 2.29 2.5

Surf 55:40:5 5.57 4.59 5

Soya oil 69.13 74.76 67.5

Brookfield DVII+ Spindle

setting 64

Rpm Vise, mPas Vise, mPas Vise, mPas 100 1548 1626 935.8

50 1884 2459 1200

0 2669 4439 1680

10 4199 7328 2399

5 5519 10558 3599

weeks at 54°C No separation No separation No separation

Surf 55:40:5 = Witconate P-1220EH: Emulpon CO360: Ethylan NS500LQ (55:40:5)

Example 25. Pesticide suspensions in C4E01 , 2-EH acid, 2-EH alcohol, , methyl benezoate, tributyl citrate, and Armid DM-810

The samples were prepared by homogenizing components without the thickener first at 12000 rpm/5 minutes. The thickener was added to the homogenized samples and shaken with hands every 10 minutes for ~1 hour and shaken again next day.

Table 25. Composition and results of pesticide suspensions in C4E01 , 2-EH acid, 2-EH alcohol, methyl benezoate, tributyl citrate, Berol 840, Armid DM-810

2780- 2780- 2780-46- 2780- 2780- 2780-46- 1 1-16-

46-1 46-3 6A 46-7 46-8 12 2017

Nicosulfuron 5.00 5.00

Glyphosate acid 40.00 30.00

Azoxystrobin 40.00

Captan 40.00

Clothianidin 33.77

Thickener 2.63 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 2.1 1

2-EH alcohol 92.00 77.00

Methyl Benzoate 92.00

Butanol-1 EO 57.00

Tributyl citrate 57.00

Armid DM-810 67.00

2-EH acid 64.12

Brookfiled DV-II+ Room temp viscosity

Spindle setting 31 21 63 63 63 63 64

RPM 1 9208 1644

RPM 2 5744 1029 12597

RPM 5 3023 534 9500 5100 7000

RPM 10 1930 345 6000 3890 4100 2350

RPM 20 1243 226 3920 2950 2717 1640

RPM 50 2400 2165 1600 1060

RPM 100 1 100 780 No No No No No No No

2 weeks at 54C separ. separ. separ. separ. separ. separ. separ.

RPM 1 2759 1500

RPM 2 1710 928 15177

RPM 5 1002 495 5015 7400 5200

RPM 10 675 314 8146 3743 4727 3431 2699

RPM 20 481 204 2873 3089 2340 1920

RPM 50 314 2145 1850 1387 1272

RPM 100 238 975 950

Example 27. ODs of glyphosate acid and 2,4D acid, and multi-actives ODs

The following thickened organic liquid compositions were homogenized without the thickener first at 12000 rpm for 5 minutes. The thickener 2.63 was added to the homogenized slurry and mixed until dissolved.

Table 27. Viscosity and stability data of herbicide ODs

Example 28. Decreased evaporation of d-limonene

D-limonene has been used as a herbicide (Avenger ® Weed Killer Concentrate Herbicide). The evaporation rate of a d-limonene sample with no polyme c rheology modifier was compared to a d-limonene sample containing a polyme c rheology modifier of the current disclosure. Table 28. Evaporation study of d-limonene

A slowly evaporating d-limonene would last longer on leaf, favoring higher herbicidal effect.

This result has potential use in va ous industries. Since essential oils can also be thickened by the thickeners of the present disclosure, air fresheners comprising thickened essential oils would last longer.

Example 29. Temperature and surfactant effect on thickening of thickener 2907-82

Table 29. Brookfield viscosity of 5% 2907-82 in SME with or without the presence of surfactant

It can be seen that the thickening ability of thickener 2.63 is not affected significantly temperature is changed or surfactant is added. Example 30. Molecular weight of polymeric rheology modifiers of the disclosure

Molecular weight was determined by Hydrodynamic Chromatography with multiangle light scattering detection (MALS). This method is similar to a standard GPC/MALS, except a smaller pore size column is used compared to standard GPC/MALS, which results in all the separation taking place in the interstitial volume of the GPC column.

Samples were prepared by dissolving about 10 mg of sample in about 10 ml of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) stabilized tetrahyrofuran (THF). Some samples were further diluted 10- fold with THF as necessary.

Column: PL-Gel 100A 5um 30cm x 7.8mm

Column Temp: 40°C

Solvent: tetrahydrofuran with 0.1 % BHT preservative

Injection: 50 μΙ θΓ 25 μΙ

Detection: Wyatt Dawn Heleos 18 angle MALS 633 nm and Wyatt Optilab T-Rex

Refractive index detector

Table 30. Molecular weight values of polymeric rheology modifiers of the invention

The foregoing examples are presented by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. Those skilled in the art will understand other examples and embodiments are encompassed within the present disclosure. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of any claims presented hereunder.