Propanil

Propanil is a widely used herbicide that is primarily used for the control of weeds in rice crops. It is a selective herbicide, meaning it is designed to kill specific targets while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed.

Chemical Structure and Properties

Propanil is a chloroacetanilide herbicide, which means it is a derivative of aniline. Its chemical formula is C₉H₉Cl₂NO. It is a white crystalline solid at room temperature, with a melting point of 91-93°C. It is slightly soluble in water and readily soluble in most organic solvents.

Mode of Action

Propanil works by inhibiting the process of photosynthesis in the target weeds. It is absorbed by the foliage and roots of the plant and transported to the site of action. The specific mode of action is the inhibition of the enzyme protoporphyrinogen oxidase, which is essential for the synthesis of chlorophyll.

Usage

Propanil is primarily used in rice cultivation to control a wide range of annual and perennial grasses and broadleaf weeds. It is typically applied post-emergence, after the rice plants and weeds have sprouted. The timing of application is critical to ensure that the rice plants are not harmed.

Health Effects

Exposure to propanil can cause a range of health effects in humans. Acute exposure can cause skin and eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Chronic exposure can lead to more serious effects such as damage to the liver and kidneys. Propanil is classified as a Group C carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), meaning it is possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Environmental Impact

Propanil is moderately toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. It has a half-life of approximately 10 days in water and 30 days in soil, indicating that it does not persist in the environment for long periods.

Regulation

In the United States, propanil is regulated by the EPA under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). It is classified as a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP), meaning it can only be used by certified applicators.

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