Norbormide

Norbormide

Norbormide is a rodenticide that is specifically toxic to rats. It was discovered in the 1960s by scientists at the Shell Development Company in California. Norbormide is unique among rodenticides due to its selective toxicity towards rats, particularly the R. norvegicus species, while being relatively harmless to other animals.

Chemistry

Norbormide is a pharmacologically active N-acyl derivative of a bicyclic amine. Its chemical name is N-3,5-dinitrophenyl norbornanedicarboximide. The compound has a complex mode of action that is not fully understood, but it is known to cause vasoconstriction in rats, leading to their death.

Toxicity

The toxicity of norbormide is highly specific to rats. It is thought that this selectivity is due to a combination of factors, including the rat's specific metabolic pathways and the presence of a specific binding site in the rat's vascular smooth muscle cells. The lethal dose for rats is around 10 mg/kg, while the lethal dose for other animals is significantly higher.

Use and Regulation

Norbormide has been used as a rodenticide in various countries around the world. However, its use has been limited due to its relatively slow action and the fact that rats often avoid eating it. In the European Union, norbormide is not approved for use as a rodenticide due to concerns about its environmental impact.

Research

Research into norbormide is ongoing, with scientists seeking to understand its unique selectivity and to potentially develop new, more effective rodenticides based on its structure and mode of action.

See Also

• Rodenticide
• Rattus norvegicus
• Shell Development Company
• Vascular smooth muscle