Propoxur
Chemical compound
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Propoxur is a carbamate, non-systemic, synthetic insecticide, produced from catechol,[2] and was introduced in 1959 by Bayer.[3]
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| Names | |
|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name
2-[(Propan-2-yl)oxy]phenyl methylcarbamate | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.003.676 |
| KEGG | |
PubChem CID |
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| UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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| Properties | |
| C11H15NO3 | |
| Molar mass | 209.245 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | White to tan crystalline powder[1] |
| Odor | faint, characteristic[1] |
| Melting point | 86 to 92 °C; 187 to 197 °F; 359 to 365 K |
| Boiling point | decomposes[1] |
| 0.2% (20°C)[1] | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.0000937 mmHg (20 °C)[1] |
| Pharmacology | |
| QP53AE02 (WHO) | |
| Hazards | |
| Flash point | > 149 °C; 300 °F; 422 K |
| NIOSH (US health exposure limits): | |
PEL (Permissible) |
none[1] |
REL (Recommended) |
TWA 0.5 mg/m3[1] |
IDLH (Immediate danger) |
N.D.[1] |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Action
Carbamate insecticides kill insects by irreversibly inactivating the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, thus it is a Cholinesterase inhibitor.
It has a fast knockdown and long residual effect, and is used against turf, forestry, and household pests and fleas. It is also used in pest control for domestic animals, Anopheles mosquitoes, ants, gypsy moths, and other agricultural pests.[4][5] It can also be used as a molluscicide.[5][6][7] It has been an ingredient in the consumer insecticide brand, Baygon.
Environmental effects
Propoxur is highly toxic to many bird species, although its toxicity varies by the species, and it is highly toxic to honeybees.[7] It is moderately to slightly toxic to fish and other aquatic species.
EFSA recommends that the active substance should be assessed for neurotoxicity, since propoxur acts by inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase.[3] Several U.S. states have petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use propoxur against bedbug infestations, but the EPA has been reluctant to approve indoor use because of its potential toxicity to children after chronic exposure.[8]
Propoxur rapidly breaks down in alkaline solution.[9]