Potential Exposure
Hexaflumuron is a benzoyl urea insecti cide, termiticide and insect growth regulator (IGR) that inhi bits an insect’s growth through chitin synthesis, which
termites need to form an exoskeleton. It is used to impregnate
termite bait. Worldwide, there are more than 20 suppliers/
manufacturers; most are in the United States Not currently
registered for agricultural use in some EU countries.
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 immedi ately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immedi ately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from
exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precau tions) if breathing has stopped, and CPR if heart action has
stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When
this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention.
Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not
make an unconscious person vomit. Do not induce vomit ing when formulations containing petroleum solvents are
ingested.
Shipping
UN3077 Environmentally hazardous substances,
solid, n.o.s., Hazard class: 9; Labels: 9-Miscellaneous haz ardous material, Technical Name Required.
Incompatibilities
Decomposes in temperatures above
275 C. Irritating or toxic fumes or gases in a fire
Chemical Properties
White solid or powder. The commercial product
may be an emulsifiable concentrate.
Waste Disposal
Do not discharge into drains
or sewers. Dispose of waste material as hazardous waste
using a licensed disposal contractor to an approved land fill. Consult with environmental regulatory agencies for
guidance on acceptable disposal practices. Incineration
with effluent gas scrubbing is recommended. Containers
must be disposed of properly by following package label
directions or by contacting your local or federal environmental control agency, or by contacting your
regional EPA office.
Uses
Hexaflumuron is an benzoylphenylurea based chitin synthesis inhibitor used against Ephestia figulilella.
Uses
Hexaflumuron is used for the control of larvae of Lepidoptera,
Coleoptera, Homoptera and Diptera on top fruit, cotton and vegetables.
It is also used in forestry.
Definition
ChEBI: An N-acylurea that is urea in which a hydrogen attached to one of the nitrogens is replaced by a 2,6-difluorobenzoyl group, while a hycrogen attached to the other nitorgen is replaced by a 3,5-dichloro-4-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl
group.
Metabolic pathway
Although there is limited dormation on the metabolism of hexaflumuron
in the open literature, there is a useful summary provided by
Dow Agrosciences (Anon). Metabolic pathways are shown in Scheme 1.
Degradation
Hexaflumuron is stable to hydrolysis at pH 5.0 (25°C) over 33 days
and hydrolysis at pH 7.0 is slow (6% in 33 days). However, hydrolysis at
pH 9.0 was more rapid (DT50 21-23 days). Alkaline hydrolysis followed
two separate routes, namely the formation of 2,6-difluorobenzoic acid (2)
and 3,5-dichloro-4-( 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenylurea (3) and a slower
reaction to form 2,6-difluorobenzamide (4) and 3,5-dichloro-4-( 1,1,2,2-
tetrafluoroethoxy)anilhe (5).
When [14C-aniline] and [14C-benzoyl]hexaflumuron were irradiated in
sterile aqueous buffer at pH 5, the DT50 was approximately 6.3 days.
The major photolysis product from the benzoyl label was 4 (96% of the
applied radioactivity) and from the aniline label was 3,5-dichloro-4-
hydroxyaniline (6). The latter comprised 35% of the applied radioactivity
and a further 60% was released as 14CO2 from the aniline label indicating extensive ring-opening.
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