Bromuron is a urea herbicide. It has a moderate aqueous solubility and a low volatility. Depending on local condition it may be persistent in soil systems. Little information has been reported regarding its toxicity to biodiversity. It has a moderate oral toxicity to mammals.
Bromuron is produced commercially through a sequence of urea based synthesis steps. The process begins with the preparation of the substituted aniline (3,4 dichloroaniline), which is reacted with methyl isocyanate or equivalent carbamoylating agents to form the N methylurea intermediate. Controlled bromination at the 3 position of the aromatic ring introduces the bromine substituent, yielding the active herbicidal compound. The crude product is then purified by recrystallisation or solvent extraction to achieve high purity.
Photosynthesis inhibitor, residual activity
