7331. Phorate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 298-02-2
Phosphorodithioic acid O,O-diethyl S-[(ethylthio)methyl] ester; O,O-diethyl S-(ethylthio)methyl phosphorodithioate; O,O-diethyl S-ethylmercaptomethyl dithiophosphate; AC-3911; EI-3911; ENT-24042; Thimet (AMVAC Chem).
C7H17O2PS3; mol wt 260.38.
C 32.29%, H 6.58%, O 12.29%, P 11.90%, S 36.94%.

Description and references

Organophosphate insecticide; cholinesterase inhibitor. Prepn: Schrader, Lorenz, US 2759010; GB 797307 (1956, 1958 both to Bayer). Metabolism: J. B. Bowman, J. E. Casida, J. Agric. Food Chem. 5, 192 (1957) DOI. Persistence in soil: D. L. Suett, Pestic. Sci. 6, 385 (1975) DOI. Toxicity study: T. B. Gaines, Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 14, 515 (1969) DOI PubMed.

Chemical structure

Properties

Clear liquid, bp0.1 75-78°, bp0.8 118-120°, bp2.0 125-127°. d425 1.156. nD25 1.5329. Vapor pressure at 20°: 8.4 × 10-4 mm Hg. Soly: 50 ppm in water. Misc with xylene, carbon tetrachloride, dioxane, methyl cellosolve, dibutyl phthalate, vegetable oils. Stable at room temp. Hydrolyzed in the presence of water and alkali. Poisonous. LD50 in female, male rats (mg/kg): 1.1, 2.3 orally; 2.5, 6.2 dermally (Gaines).

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, skin, respiratory system; miosis; rhinorrhea; headache, chest tightness, wheezing, laryngeal spasms, salivation, cyanosis; anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea; sweating; muscle fasciculations, weakness, paralysis; giddiness, confusion, ataxia; convulsions, coma; low blood pressure; cardiac irregularities. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 252.

Use

Insecticide.