Chemical Properties
Cyanophos is a yellow to reddish-yellow or
amber liquid.
General Description
Yellow to reddish-yellow transparent liquid. Used as an insecticide against rice stem borers and house flies. Not registered as a pesticide in the U.S.
Reactivity Profile
Organophosphates, such as CYANOPHOS, are susceptible to formation of highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas in the presence of strong reducing agents such as hydrides. Partial oxidation by oxidizing agents may result in the release of toxic phosphorus oxides.
Health Hazard
CYANOPHOS is an organophosphorus insecticide. It is a cholinesterase inhibitor. Death may occur after a massive oral dose; with smaller accidental doses, onset of illness may be delayed.
Fire Hazard
(Non-Specific -- Organophosphorus Pesticide, Liquid, n.o.s.) Container may explode in heat of fire. Fire and runoff from fire control water may produce irritating or poisonous gases. Unstable. Rapidly decomposes under alkaline conditions and upon exposure to light.
Potential Exposure
A potential danger to those involved
in the manufacture, formulation, and application of this
insecticide which is used against rice stem borers and house
flies. It is not registered as a pesticide in the United States.
Incompatibilities: Alkaline materials and exposure to light
can cause rapid decomposition. Contact with oxidizers may
cause the release of phosphorous oxides. Contact with
strong reducing agents, such as hydrides, may cause the
formation of flammable and toxic phosphine gas.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any
contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the
skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately
with soap and water. Speed in removing material from skin
is of extreme importance. Shampoo hair promptly if con-
taminated. Seek medical attention immediately. If this
chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin
rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including
resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if
heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical
facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medi-
cal attention. Give large quantities of water and induce
vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.
Effects may be delayed; keep victim under observation.
Shipping
UN3278 Organophosphorus compound, liquid,
toxic, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous
materials, Hazard Technical Name Required, Potential
Inhalation Hazard (Special Provision 5). UN3018
Organophosphorus pesticides, liquid, toxic, Hazard Class:
6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials.
Incompatibilities
A potential danger to those involved
in the manufacture, formulation, and application of this
insecticide which is used against rice stem borers and house
flies. It is not registered as a pesticide in the United States.
Incompatibilities: Alkaline materials and exposure to light
can cause rapid decomposition. Contact with oxidizers may
cause the release of phosphorous oxides. Contact with
strong reducing agents, such as hydrides, may cause the
formation of flammable and toxic phosphine gas.
Description
Cyanophos is an amber liquid, decomposes
at 119–120 ?C, vp 105 mPa (20 ?C). Solubility in water is
46 mg/L (30 ?C). It is soluble in most organic solvents.
Log Kow = 2.65. Cyanophos is effective in controlling
a variety of insect pests including rice stem borers.
Major formulation types are dustable powder, emulsifiable
concentrate, wettable powder, and ultra low volume liquid.
Waste Disposal
In accordance with
40CFR165 recommendations for the disposal of pesticides
and pesticide containers. Must be disposed properly by fol-
lowing package label directions or by contacting your local
or federal environmental control agency, or by contacting
your regional EPA office.
Definition
ChEBI: Cyanophos is an organothiophosphate insecticide and an organic thiophosphate. It has a role as an agrochemical and an EC 3.1.1.7 (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitor. It is functionally related to a 4-cyanophenol.
Production Methods
Cyanophos is commercially synthesised through a multi-step process involving the esterification of O,O-dimethyl phosphorothioic acid with p-cyanophenol The production begins with the preparation of dimethyl phosphorothioic acid chloride, which is then reacted with p-cyanophenol in the presence of a base to form the phosphorothioate ester. This reaction is typically carried out under controlled temperature and pH conditions to ensure high yield and purity. The crude product is purified through distillation or solvent extraction to remove unreacted materials and byproducts.
Mechanism of action
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor.
Metabolic pathway
The metabolism of cyanophos in plants and mammals is similar with
deactivation via demethylation to desmethylcyanophos being important
routes in both systems. Activation via oxidative desulfuration to cyanophos
oxon, which is itself demethylated, also occurs in both plants and
mammals. 4-Cyanophenol is an important metabolite which probably
occurs principally by hydrolysis of the oxon in plants but in mammals is
produced by oxidative dearylation of cyanophos also. In mammals it is
conjugated as the sulfate ester as a major liver and urinary metabolite but
conjugates of 4-cyanophenol have not been reported in plants.
Metabolism
The main biodegradation pathways in
mammals are demethylation and aryl ester bond cleavage;
the liberated cyanophenol is excreted in the form of the
sulfate ester, formed by conjugation. The metabolism
in plants is similar to that in mammals except the
cyanophenol conjugation.
storage
Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard/Poison: Storein a secure poison location. Cyanophos is stable to storagefor 2 years or more under normal conditions. Prior to working with this chemical you should be trained on its properhandling and storage. Store in tightly closed containers in acool, well-ventilated area.
Degradation
The photodecomposition of [14C-cyano]cyanophos in acetone (a photosensitising
solvent) irradiated by unfiltered UV light yielded cyanophos
oxon (2), desmethylcyanophos oxon (3), 4-cyanophenol (4), 4-cyanobenzoic
acid (5), 2-hydroxy-5-cyanobenzoic acid (6), CO2 and HCN. When
cyanophos was exposed to sunlight in aqueous solution or as thin films on
soil or silica gel TLC plates, which represent conditions more relevant
to photolysis in the environment, only cyanophos oxon (2), desmethylcyanophos
oxon (3) and 4-cyanophenol (4) were detected (Mikami et al.,
1976) (Scheme 1).
Toxicity evaluation
It has a low mammalian toxicity: acute oral LD50 for
rats is 710–730 mg/kg. Inhalation LC50 (4 h) for rats is
>1500 mg/m3 air.
Pesticide Type
Insecticide
