Linuron

Linuron
Identifiers
	IUPAC name 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;
CAS Number	330-55-2;
PubChem CID	9502;
ChemSpider	9130;
UNII	01XP1SU59O;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID2024163 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.005.779
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C9H10Cl2N2O2
Molar mass	249.09 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
	SMILES CN(C(=O)NC1=CC(=C(C=C1)Cl)Cl)OC;
	InChI InChI=1S/C9H10Cl2N2O2/c1-13(15-2)9(14)12-6-3-4-7(10)8(11)5-6/h3-5H,1-2H3,(H,12,14); Key:XKJMBINCVNINCA-UHFFFAOYSA-N;

Linuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea) is a phenylurea herbicide^[1] that is used to control the growth of grass and weeds for the purpose of supporting the growth of crops like soybeans.^[2]^[3]

Pharmacology

Mechanism of action

Linuron acts via inhibition of photosystem II, which is necessary for photosynthetic electron transport in plants.^[2]^[3]

Effects in animals

Linuron has been found to produce reproductive toxicity in animals by acting as an androgen receptor (AR) antagonist, and for this reason, is considered to be an endocrine disruptor.^[2]^[4] Consequently, in January 2017, the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF) of the European Commission DG "Health and food safety" decided to not renew its regulatory approval.^[5] Sales are expected to cease by June 2017.^[5]