Ethalfluralin is a herbicide. It is a preëmergent dinitroaniline developed from trifluralin, used to control annual grasses and broad-leaved weeds. It was synthesised in 1971, first sold in Turkey in 1975, the United States in 1983.[1] It is used on soybeans, peanuts, potatoes, and as of 2023, is the first conventional herbicide the EPA permits on hemp, as ethalfluralin leaves no residue in the plant.[4] Ethalfluralin is not used domestically.[5]

Ethalfluralin
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
N-Ethyl-α,α,α-trifluoro-N-(2-methylallyl)-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.054.131 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 259-564-3
KEGG
UNII
UN number UN3077
  • InChI=1S/C13H14F3N3O4/c1-4-17(7-8(2)3)12-10(18(20)21)5-9(13(14,15)16)6-11(12)19(22)23/h5-6H,2,4,7H2,1,3H3
    Key: PTFJIKYUEPWBMS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • CCN(CC(=C)C)C1=C(C=C(C=C1[N+](=O)[O-])C(F)(F)F)[N+](=O)[O-]
Properties
C13H14F3N3O4
Molar mass 333.267 g·mol−1
Appearance Yellow to orange crystals[1]
Odor Faint amine odour[2]
Melting point 55 °C (131 °F; 328 K) [2]
0.3 mg/L[2]
Solubility in Acetone >500 g/L[2]
Solubility in Benzene >500 g/L[2]
Solubility in Acetonitrile >500 g/L[2]
Solubility in Xylene >500 g/L[2]
Vapor pressure 11.5 mPa[2]
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Skin and eye irritant; toxic to aquatic life
GHS labelling:[2][3]
GHS07: Exclamation markGHS08: Health hazardGHS09: Environmental hazard
Warning
H315, H317, H319, H332, H351, H400, H411
P203, P261, P264, P264+P265, P271, P272, P273, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P317, P318, P321, P332+P317, P333+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P391, P405, P501
Flash point 151 °C (304 °F; 424 K)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
>5000 mg/kg (oral, rat, or rabbit, dermal)
0.136 mg/L (trout)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Ethalfluralin did not leach in soil, and the EPA expects it not to contaminate ground water, though it notes the chemically very similar trifluralin has been found in groundwater. Ethalfluralin is very toxic to fish.[5]

Ethalfluralin works by inhibition of microtubule formation, preventing cell division, and is a Group D / Group K1 / Group 3 herbicide (Australian, Global and numeric HRAC respectively). It is applied at approximately 1 kg/Ha.[6]

In 2024, ethalfluralin was registered in India.[7]

Health effects

edit

Ethalfluralin is practically non-toxic to birds and mammals, though it causes moderate eye and skin irritation, and skin sensitisation. Subchronic rat and mice studies saw effects to the liver and kidneys, reduced weight gain, and affected enzyme activity. The EPA regards ethalfluralin as a possible carcinogen, due to tumours in chronically exposed rats. Ethalfluralin did not affect the reproductive system or cause strong mutagenisis.[5]

Dietary effect is unlikely as ethalfluralin does not leave residues in plants and doesn't translocate.[4]

Tradenames

edit

Ethalfluralin has been sold as Gilan, Sonalan, Curbit, Sonalen and Edge.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Hertfordshire, University of. "Ethalfluralin (Ref: EL 161)". sitem.herts.ac.uk.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ethalfluralin". Grainews. Agropages. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Ethalfluralin". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
  4. ^ a b Etter, Kristina (29 August 2023). "Breakthrough for Hemp Growers: Ethalfluralin 1st Conventional Pesticide Tolerance Announced by EPA - Cannabis Tech".
  5. ^ a b c "R.E.D. Facts: Ethalfluralin" (PDF). EPA. 1995.
  6. ^ "Sonalan Product Label" (PDF).
  7. ^ "Saraswati Group launched new herbicide Sonalan HFP (Ethalfluralin) in India". Grainews.
edit