3382. Diuron

Nomenclature

CAS number: 330-54-1
N′-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-N,N-dimethylurea; 1,1-dimethyl-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea; Diurex (Makhteshim-Agan); Karmex; Urox D (Hopkins).
C9H10Cl2N2O; mol wt 233.09.
C 46.38%, H 4.32%, Cl 30.42%, N 12.02%, O 6.86%.

Description and references

Prepn: Jones, US 2768971 (1956 to I.C.I.). Toxicity data: E. M. Boyd, V. Krupa, J. Agric. Food Chem. 18, 1104 (1970). Review of environmental impact: S. Giacomazzi, N. Cochet, Chemosphere 56, 1021-1032 (2004).

Chemical structure

Properties

Crystals, mp 158-159°. Soly in water at 25°: 42 ppm. Very low soly in hydrocarbon solvents. Vapor pressure at 50°: 3.1 × 10-6 mm Hg. Partition coefficient (octanol/water): 2.6. LD50 orally in rats: 1690 mg/kg (Boyd, Krupa).

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, skin, nose, throat. Potential symptoms of overexposure in exptl animals are anemia, methemoglobinemia. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 124.

Use

Pre-emergent herbicide.