Bromoxynil

Bromoxynil
Skeletal formula of bromoxynil
Space-filling model of the bromoxynil molecule
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
3,5-Dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile
Other names
Brominal, Bromotril, Bronate, Buctril, Certrol B, Litarol, M&B 10064, Merit, Pardner, Sabre, Torch
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.015.348 Edit this at Wikidata
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C7H3Br2NO/c8-5-1-4(3-10)2-6(9)7(5)11/h1-2,11H checkY
    Key: UPMXNNIRAGDFEH-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C7H3Br2NO/c8-5-1-4(3-10)2-6(9)7(5)11/h1-2,11H
    Key: UPMXNNIRAGDFEH-UHFFFAOYAP
  • Brc1cc(C#N)cc(Br)c1O
Properties
C7H3Br2NO
Molar mass 276.915 g·mol−1
Appearance colorless or white solid
Density 2.243 g/mL
Melting point 194–195 °C
organic solvents
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Bromoxynil is an organic compound with the formula HOBr2C6H2CN. It is classified as a nitrile herbicide, and as such sold under many trade names. It is a white solid. It works by inhibiting photosynthesis. It is moderately toxic to mammals.

It is used in Australia,[1] New Zealand,[2] and the USA, which used 614,000 lbs of it in 1974.[3][4]

Production and use

It is produced by bromination of 4-hydroxybenzonitrile.

It is a post-emergence to control annual broadleaved weeds.[5]

Degradation

Bromoxynil decomposes with a half life of approximately two weeks in soil. Persistence increases in soils with elevated clay or organic matter content, suggesting the compound has somewhat limited bioavailability to microorganisms in these environments. Under aerobic conditions in soils or pure cultures, products of bromoxynil degradation often retain the original bromine groups. The herbicide, and one of its common degradation products (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid) have been shown to undergo metabolic reductive dehalogenation by the microorganism Desulfitobacterium chlororespirans.[6]

In the Great Plains region of Canada, where it is widely used on cereal grains, average levels detected in drinking water were 1 nanogram per liter. In one case as high as 384 nanograms per liter were detected. Levels of bromoxynil were consistently lower than of several other pesticides tested, and it was observed to undergo greater reduction in water treatment than the others.[7]

Safety

Lethal doses in mammals range between 60 and 600 milligrams ingested per kilogram, and teratogenic effects have been observed in rats and rabbits above 30 milligrams per kilogram. Chronic exposure for more than one year in humans caused symptoms of weight loss, fever, vomiting, headache, and urinary problems in one documented case.[8]

In the United States it is distributed as a restricted use pesticide in toxicity class II (moderately toxic) and not available for homeowner use.

Bromoxynil's taste is "slight, not characteristic".[9]

Tradenames

Bromoxynil has been sold as: Brominal, Nu-Lawn Weeder, (Union Carbide), Buctril, and Chipco Buctril, (Rhone-Poulenc).[10] This list is incomplete.

References

  1. ^ "4Farmers Bromoxynil 200". 4farmers.com.au. 4Farmers Australia.
  2. ^ "APP203468-Final-Decision-Signed.pdf" (PDF). www.epa.govt.nz.
  3. ^ US EPA, OCSPP (1 February 2023). "EPA Implements Protections for Endangered Fish Species from Four Pesticides". www.epa.gov.
  4. ^ "Pesticide Usage Survey of Agricultural, Governmental, and Industrial Sectors in the United States, 1974". epa.gov. EPA. 1977.
  5. ^ Franz Müller and Arnold P. Applebyki "Weed Control, 2. Individual Herbicides" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2010 doi:10.1002/14356007.o28_o01
  6. ^ Cupples AM, Sanford RA, Sims GK (2005). "Dehalogenation of Bromoxynil (3,5-Dibromo-4-Hydroxybenzonitrile) and Ioxynil (3,5-Diiodino-4-Hydroxybenzonitrile) by Desulfitobacterium chlororespirans". Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 71 (7): 3741–3746. doi:10.1128/AEM.71.7.3741-3746.2005. PMC 1169022. PMID 16000784.
  7. ^ Donald DB, Cessna AJ, Sverko E, Glozier NE (2007). "Pesticides in Surface Drinking-Water Supplies of the Northern Great Plains". Environ. Health Perspect. 115 (8): 1183–1191. doi:10.1289/ehp.9435. PMC 1940079. PMID 17687445.
  8. ^ "Extension Toxicology Network: Pesticide information profiles". Archived from the original on 2007-04-01.
  9. ^ "Technical Bulletin Ioxynil and Bromoxynil Selective Herbicides". International Journal of Pest Management: Part C. 14 (3): 301–322. September 1968. doi:10.1080/05331856809438464.
  10. ^ Elmore, C. L.; McHenry, W. B.; Smith, N. L.; Shaefer, K. M. (April 1980). COMMON AND PROPRIETARY TRADE NAMES OF HERBICIDES: A Cross Indexed Guide. Division of Agricultural Sciences University of California.
  • Bromoxynil in the Pesticide Properties DataBase (PPDB)