This invention relates to the use of lactamide compounds of formula (I):CH3CH(OH)C(=O)NR1R2, where R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen； or C1-6alkyl, C2-6 alkenyl or C3-6 cycloalkyl, each of which is optionallysubstituted by up to three substituents independently selected from phenyl,hydroxy, C1-5 alkoxy, morpholinyl and NR3R4 where R3 and R4 are eachindependently C1-3 alkyl； or phenyl optionally substituted by up to threesubstituents independently selected from C1-3 alkyl； or R1 and R2 togetherwith the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a morpholinyl,pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl or azepanyl ring, each of which is optionallysubstituted by up to three substituents independently selected from C1-3alkyl, in formulations to reduce the toxicity associated with otherformulation components； to the use of certain lactamide compounds as solvents,especially in formulations, particularly in agrochemical formulations and inenvironmentally friendly formulations； to novel lactamide compounds； and toprocesses for preparing lactamide compounds.
