Wood Preservative

The present invention relates to a wood preservative, for example in the form of an aqueous solution, which contains a zinc compound, an aliphatic carboxylic acid and a polyamine and may contain a complex-forming carboxylic acid.

Wood preservatives based on alkanolamine, copper compounds and aliphatic C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 -monocarboxylic acids are known (Australian Pat. No. 519,146). However, the copper-containing formulations produce a bluish green discoloration on the wood. Corresponding wood preservatives based on zinc compounds do not produce discoloration but are unstable in aqueous solutions and are precipitated.

We have found that the abovementioned disadvantages do not occur in wood preservatives based on zinc compounds, aliphatic carboxylic acids and polyamines, with or without a complex-forming carboxylic acid. Examples of particularly suitable polyamines in this case are aliphatic polyamines, alkylene polyamines of 3 to 9 carbon atoms and 2 to 4 nitrogen atoms, 1,3-diaminopropane, dipropylenetriamine (3,3'-diaminodipropylamine), ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine (2,2'-diaminodiethylamine), and aminoethylethanolamine.

Examples of suitable aliphatic carboxylic acids are C.sub.5 -C.sub.20 -monocarboxylic acids, such as hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, 2-ethylpentanoic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, 2-ethylheptanoic acid, isooctanoic acid, isononanoic acid, isodecanoic acid or versatic acids (highly branched monocarboxylic acids), and C.sub.5 -C.sub.20 -dicarboxylic acids, eg. decanedicarboxylic acid. Polycarboxylic acids, such as polyacrylic acids, are also suitable.

These acids combine with zinc to form water-insoluble salts, which are dissolved in alkaline medium by the complex-forming action of the abovementioned amines. Complex formation can be improved by adding complex-forming carboxylic acids, eg. nitrilotriacetic acid or C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 -hydroxycarboxylic acids, lactic acid, tartaric acid or citric acid.

Suitable zinc compounds are water-soluble or insoluble compounds (eg. zinc metal, zinc sulfate, zinc hydroxide, zinc carbonate, zinc oxide, zinc acetate, zinc borate, zinc fluoride and zinc fluoroborate).

In concentrated form, the water-dilutable agents contain the zinc in an amount of 1 to 15% by weight, calculated as the element.

Anions capable of diffusion, eg. borates, fluorides or fluoroborates, may additionally be present, the said anions providing protection for regions not accessible to impregnation, such as the heartwood, as a result of their diffusion after impregnation of the wood.

The action of the wood preservative can be supported, for example, by salts of N-cyclohexyldioxydiazenium oxide, for example the zinc salt or the potassium salt. Combination with quaternary ammonium compounds is also suitable for this purpose.

A quaternary ammonium compound is, for example, a compound of the general formula (R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4 N).sup.+ Z.sup.-, where R.sup.1 is alkyl of 8 to 20, in particular 12 to 20, carbon atoms or benzyl which is unsubstitued or substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl or halogen, R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.9 -alkoxyalkyl, R.sup.3 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.14 -alkoxy and R.sup.4 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl, or two of the radicals R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 together with the nitrogen atom form a heterocyclic radical which contains 4 or 5 carbon atoms, 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms and one, two or three double bonds, the carbon atoms being unsubstituted or substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl or halogen, and Z is an acid radical.

Suitable concentrates contain, for example,

5-40, in particular 6-12, % by weight of a zinc compound,

10-40, in particular 20-37, % by weight of a carboxylic acid/polycarboxylic acid,

5-40, in particular 15-30, % by weight of a polyamine, up to 25, in particular 2-7, % by weight of a complex-forming carboxylic acid,

up to 40, in particular 4-6, % by weight of a diffusing fungicidal anion,

up to 75, in particular 13-25, % by weight of a quaternary ammonium salt and

up to 30, in particular 5-12, % by weight of a salt of N-cyclohexyldiazenium dioxide, the sum being 100% by weight in each case.

If necessary, minor amounts of other components, such as other amines, ammonia, wetting agents, water softeners (nitrilotriacetic acid, etc.) and, if necessary, water may be present, the amount of the water being kept as small as possible and essentially facilitating handling.

However, the present invention also embraces the impregnating solutions which can be prepared by diluting the concentrates with water in accordance with the required concentrations for use, regardless of the method of impregnation and the degree of danger to the wood, for example dilution to 2-6%, in particular 4%, based on the concentrate.

The concentrates, which may be in the form of pastes or viscous solutions (if necessary also in the form of a solid salt), are most advantageously prepared by initially taking the polyamine, with or without water, and first dissolving therein the carboxylic acids and, if required, the salts with fungicidal anions and/or salts of N-cyclohexyldiazenium dioxide. The zinc compounds then dissolve in this mixture with complex formation, the dissolution process being accelerated by heating to 90.degree.-100.degree. C. The alkalinity of the concentrates is adjusted so that, on the one hand, sufficient polyamine and, where relevant, complex-forming carboxylic acid are present to dissolve the zinc compound and, on the other hand, the pH of the dilute impregnating solutions is generally greater than 7.0, in particular from 8.0 to 9.0 (concentration-dependent), this being achieved by adding, for example, further polyamines, amine or alkali metal hydroxide. During impregnation, the zinc compound thoroughly penetrates the wood, the major part of the zinc (about 70-95%) being fixed in the wood.

Other fungicides, eg. furmecyclox or benodanil, tridemorph, C.sub.12 /C.sub.14 /C.sub.16 -alkyldimethylamine, or insecticides, eg. lindane, can also be added to the formulations, and, if necessary, can be incorporated with the addition of emulsifiers and solvents, for example oxyethylated nonylphenols.

Use for the protection of the wood may be effected, for example, depending on the degree of danger to the wood:

(a) by spraying the wood with the solution,

(b) by dipping the wood into the solution,

(c) by impregnating the wood with the aid of pressure differences, for example the pressure process or double vacuum impregnation, and

(d) by painting the wood.

To test the stability, concentrates were prepared and were diluted with water to the concentration for use (for example for the pressure process). The stability and appearance of the solutions were determined. The solutions prevent destruction of the wood by fungi in the same manner as known solutions which contain copper instead of zinc.

30.00% of ethanolamine

36.00% of 2-ethylhexanoic acid

10.00% of zinc oxide

24.00% of water

The concentrate is cloudy even after prolonged heating at about 100.degree. C.; at a use concentration of 4% (based on the concentrate), a cloudy solution with precipitate is obtained.

30.00% of ethanolamine

35.00% of 2-ethylhexanoic acid

4.00% of lactic acid

10.00% of zinc oxide

21.00% of water

Clear concentrate.

Concentration for use 4%: cloudy solution, precipitation

20.00% of diethylenetriamine

35.00% of 2-ethylhexanoic acid

10.00% of zinc oxide

35.00% of water

Clear concentrate.

Concentration for use 4%: clear solution, pH about 8.7.

20.00% of diethylenetriamine

34.00% of 2-ethylhexanoic acid

6.00% of lactic acid

10.00% of zinc oxide

15.00% of C.sub.12 /C.sub.14 -dimethylalkylbenzylammonium chloride

15.00% of water

Clear concentrate.

Concentration for use 4%: clear solution, pH about 8.5.

20.00% of diethylenetriamine

34.00% of 2-ethylhexanoic acid

6.00% of lactic acid

10.00% of zinc oxide

9.00% of the potassium salt of N-cyclohexyldiazenium dioxide

21.00% of water

Clear concentrate.

Concentration for use 4%: clear solution, pH about 8.6.

26.50% of aminoethylethanolamine

34.00% of 2-ethylhexanoic acid

6.00% of lactic acid

10.00% of zinc oxide

15.00% of C.sub.12 /C.sub.14 -dimethylalkylbenzylammonium chloride

8.50% of water

Clear concentrate.

Concentration for use 4%: clear solution, pH about 8.0.

28.50% of aminoethylethanolamine

35.00% of 2-ethylhexanoic acid

10.00% of zinc oxide

20.00% of C.sub.12 /C.sub.14 -dimethylalkylbenzylammonium chloride

6.50% of water

Clear concentrate.

Concentration for use 4%: clear solution, pH about 8.5.

25.00% of aminoethylethanolamine

31.00% of 2-ethylhexanoic acid

5.00% of lactic acid

9.00% of zinc oxide

9.00% of the potassium salt of N-cyclohexyldiazenium dioxide

21.00% of water

Clear concentrate.

Concentration for use 4%: clear solution, pH about 8.5.

25.00% of dipropylenetriamine

35.00% of 2-ethylhexanoic acid

6.00% of lactic acid

10.00% of zinc oxide

5.00% of boric acid

19.00% of water

Clear concentrate.

Concentration for use 4%: clear solution, pH about 8.9.

23.00% of dipropylenetriamine

33.00% of 2-ethylhexanoic acid

3.00% of lactic acid

9.00% of zinc oxide

15.00% of dimethylalkylbenzylammonium chloride

17.00% of water

Clear concentrate.

Concentration for use 4%: clear solution, pH about 8.8.

10.00% of aminoethylethanolamine

9.50% of dipropylenetriamine

25.00% of 2-ethylhexanoic acid

4.50% of lactic acid

7.50% of zinc oxide

5.00% of boric acid

7.50% of the potassium salt of N-cyclohexyldiazenium dioxide

31.00% of water

Clear concentrate.

Concentration for use 4%: clear solution, pH about 8.8.