Fenuron is an obsolete phenylurea pre-emergence herbicide. It has a high aqueous solubility and is moderately volatile. Evidence suggests it is moderately persistent in soil systems. Based on its physico-chemical properties it has a high potential to leach to groundwater. Ecotoxicological data is very limited but acute oral ecotoxicity tends to be moderate to low. It has a low mammalian oral toxicity.
White, crystalline solid.
Almost insoluble in water (0.3% at 25C), sparingly
soluble in hydrocarbon solvents, stable toward oxidation and moisture.
Fenuron is an phenylurea based herbicide used to control brush on chaparral watersheds.
electrum: 1. An alloy of gold andsilver containing 55–88% of gold.2. A German silver alloy containing52% copper, 26% nickel, and 22%zinc.
Fenuron is commercially produced through a straightforward condensation reaction. The process involves reacting 1,1-dimethylurea (also known as N,N-dimethylurea) with phenyl isocyanate under controlled conditions. This reaction typically takes place in an organic solvent such as acetone or toluene, with temperature regulation to ensure optimal yield and minimize byproducts. The resulting product, fenuron, is then purified through crystallisation or solvent extraction to achieve the desired technical grade.
Acute and chronic toxicity of low order;moderately toxic by intraperitoneal route; inthe body, it may hydrolyze to aniline, whichmay cause methemoglobinemia; the oralmedian lethal dose in experimental animalsranged between 3000 and 8000 mg/kg.
LD50 oral (rat): 6400 mg/kg
LD50 oral (rabbit): 4700 mg/kg
LD50 oral (guinea pig): 3200 mg/kg.
Photosynthetic electron transport inhibitor at the photosystem II.
