# How Chemical Additives Boost the Effectiveness of Rodent Poisons

> A 1953 chemical invention that combines 2-acyl 1,3-indandione with EDTA to create a more effective rodenticide.

- **Patent:** US 2880132
- **Original title:** Rodenticidal compositions comprising a 2-acyl 1, 3-indandione and an ethylenediaminetetraacetate
- **Owner:** Morton Chemical Co
- **Granted:** 1959
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 4
- **Field:** biotech, chemical

## What it does

The patent describes a chemical mixture designed to kill rodents more efficiently. It combines an alkali metal salt of 2-acyl 1,3-indandione, which acts as the toxic agent, with an alkali metal salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The EDTA acts as a stabilizing or enhancing agent within the composition. By mixing these two specific components, the composition aims to improve the lethality or stability of the poison when ingested by rodents.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover rodenticides that do not use the specific combination of 2-acyl 1,3-indandione and EDTA
- Does not cover mechanical traps or non-chemical methods of rodent control
- Does not cover the use of EDTA for non-rodenticidal purposes such as water softening or medical chelation therapy

## The clever bit

The invention recognizes that adding a chelating agent like EDTA to a specific indandione-based toxin can improve its performance, likely by preventing the degradation of the active ingredient or enhancing its bioavailability.

## Real-world examples

1. Historical rodenticide formulations from the 1950s
2. Chemical pest control products using indandione derivatives

## Why it matters

This patent represents mid-20th-century efforts to refine chemical pest control. It highlights the use of chemical additives to stabilize or potentiate active ingredients, a common strategy in the development of agricultural and household pesticides during that era.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How Chemical Additives Boost the Effectiveness of Rodent Poisons cover?

A 1953 chemical invention that combines 2-acyl 1,3-indandione with EDTA to create a more effective rodenticide.

### Who owns patent US 2880132?

Morton Chemical Co owns this patent, granted in 1959.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.

### What is patent US 2880132 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 4 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent represents mid-20th-century efforts to refine chemical pest control. It highlights the use of chemical additives to stabilize or potentiate active ingredients, a common strategy in the development of agricultural and household pesticides during that era.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover rodenticides that do not use the specific combination of 2-acyl 1,3-indandione and EDTA

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2880132/tetracycline

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US2880132

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._