Gamma-cyhalothrin is a broad-spectrum pyrethroid insecticide. It has a low aqueous solubility, volatile and, based on its chemical properties, would not be expected to leach to groundwater. It is non-persistent in soil systems and would not normally persist in aqueous systems. It has a high mammalian toxicity and there is some concern regarding its potential to bioaccumulate. It is considered to be a neurotoxicant. It is highly toxic to honeybees and many aquatic organisms and moderately toxic to birds and earthworms.
gamma-Cyhalothrin, is a single stereoisomer and the most insecticidally active isomer of the pyrethroid insecticide lambda-Cyhalothrin (C988980).
ChEBI: Gamma-cyhalothrin is a cyhalothrin. It has a role as a pyrethroid ester insecticide.
Gamma-cyhalothrin is commercially produced through a stereoselective synthesis involving chlorination, esterification, and crystallization steps to isolate the active isomer from a mixture of cyhalothrin diastereomers. The process begins with the chlorination of 1R cis-Z 3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid to form the corresponding acid chloride. This intermediate is then esterified with alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol in the presence of a cyanide source, yielding a mixture of cyhalothrin isomers. To isolate the biologically active gamma-cyhalothrin isomer, the mixture undergoes epimerisation under controlled conditions, promoting the crystallisation of the least soluble diastereomer.
Non-systemic acting by contact and/or ingestion. Sodium channel modulator, distrupts nerve function
