Disulfoton is an organophosphate acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used as an insecticide. It is manufactured under the name Di-Syston by Bayer CropScience. Disulfoton in its pure form is a colorless oil but the technical product used in vegetable fields is dark and yellowish with a sulfur odor. Disulfoton is processed as a liquid into carrier granules. These granules are mixed with fertilizer and clay to be made into a spike, designed to be driven into the ground. The pesticide is absorbed over time by the roots and translocated to all parts of the plant. The pesticide acts as a cholinesterase inhibitor and gives long lasting control.

Disulfoton
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
O,O′-Diethyl S-[2-(ethylsulfanyl)ethyl] phosphorodithioate
Other names
O,O-Diethyl S-2-(ethylthio)ethyl phosphorodithioate, Di-Syston, Thiodemeton
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
1709167
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.005.505 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 206-054-3
KEGG
RTECS number
  • TD9275000
UNII
UN number 3018 2783
  • InChI=1S/C8H19O2PS3/c1-4-9-11(12,10-5-2)14-8-7-13-6-3/h4-8H2,1-3H3 checkY
    Key: DOFZAZXDOSGAJZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C8H19O2PS3/c1-4-9-11(12,10-5-2)14-8-7-13-6-3/h4-8H2,1-3H3
    Key: DOFZAZXDOSGAJZ-UHFFFAOYAD
  • S=P(OCC)(SCCSCC)OCC
Properties
C8H19O2PS3
Molar mass 274.404
Appearance Oily, colorless to yellow liquid
Odor Characteristic, sulfurous[1]
Density 1.14 g/mL
0.03% (22.7°C)[1]
Vapor pressure 0.0002 mmHg (20°C)[1]
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Toxic
GHS labelling:[2]
GHS06: ToxicGHS09: Environmental hazard
Danger
H300, H310, H410
P262, P264, P270, P273, P280, P301+P316, P302+P352, P316, P321, P330, P361+P364, P391, P405, P501
Flash point > 82 °C; 180 °F; 355 K[1]
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
none[1]
REL (Recommended)
TWA 0.1 mg/m3 [skin][1]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
N.D.[1]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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The use of the substance has been restricted by the US government. Bayer, the manufacturer, exited the US market December 31, 2009.[3]

Synthesis

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Disulfoton is synthesized by sulfide formation of 2-ethylthioethanol + O,O-diethyl hydrogen phosphorodithioate with beta-chloroethyl thioethyl ether.[4]

Metabolites

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Oxidation of Disulfoton happens rapidly and metabolizes disulfoton into sulfones and sulfoxides, oxidation to oxygen analogs and/or hydrolysis to produce a corresponding phosphorothionate or phosphate. Microsomal enzymes are being inhibited during the metabolism.[5]

Mechanism of action

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Organophosphorus pesticides like Disulfoton inhibit esterase enzyme activity like choline esterase. These types of pesticides can also directly interact with the biochemical receptors of acetylcholine.

Organophosphates in general poisons mammals and insects by phosphorylating the acetylcholinesterase enzyme at nerve endings resulting in loss of function of the enzyme. This allows the accumulation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in cholinergic neuroeffector junctions, skeletal myoneural junctions, and autonomic ganglia. This refers to the type of receptors of acetylcholine, the muscarinic and nicotinic effects respectively. Thus organophosphates also impairs nerve impulse transmission.[6][7]

Disulfoton can be absorbed via ingestion, inhalation or penetration of the skin as it can be rapidly absorbed via mucous membranes.[7] When disulfoton is absorbed, it will be distributed via the blood circulation and undergo hydrolytic degradation. This mainly happens in the liver or kidneys but in other tissues as well. Disulfoton is excreted in different metabolites via the urine.[6]

Toxicity

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Disulfoton is classified as a super toxic substance. The estimated oral lethal dose in humans is less than 5 mg/kg, which is analog to seven drops for a 70 kg person.

Not only oral intake, but also skin contact and inhalation are fatal because of acute toxicity. Disulfoton is also very toxic to aquatic life and forms an acute hazard with long lasting effects.

Symptoms

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Signs of disulfoton toxicity includes headaches, cyanosis, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, blurred vision, mental confusion, loss of muscle coordination and sialorrhea. Death can occur when respiratory arrest ensues from failure of the respiratory muscles.[8] Other symptoms found in a patient with an unknown quantity of disulfoton were intra-alveolar bleeding, blood in the bronchus, edema of the lungs and swelling of the glomerulus.[9]

Treatment

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The treatment of the granular form of disulfoton poisoning should be with repetitive or prolonged gastric and intestinal lavage (washing out of the body cavity). Also charcoal and a continuous intravenous infusion of pralidoxime iodide in addition to atropine sulfate.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0245". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  2. ^ "Disulfoton". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
  3. ^ Environmental Protection Agency. "Restricted Use Products (RUP) Report: Six Month Summary List". Archived from the original on 11 January 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  4. ^ Fedak, G.; Chi, D.; Hiebert, C.; Fetch, T.; McCallum, B.; Xue, A.; Cao, W. (2019-09-01). "Multiple disease resistance in intergeneric hybrids". Vìsnik Lʹvìvsʹkogo nacìonalʹnogo agrarnogo unìversitetu. Agronomìâ (23): 173–176. doi:10.31734/agronomy2019.01.173. ISSN 2616-7719.
  5. ^ Bingham, Eula; Cohrssen, Barbara; Powell, Charles H; John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (September 2001). "Patty's Toxicology, 5th edition in 9 volumes". Chemical Health and Safety. 8 (5): 45–46. doi:10.1016/s1074-9098(01)00241-6. ISSN 1074-9098.
  6. ^ a b "International Labour Office, Geneva". The Annals of Occupational Hygiene. 1962-01-01. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.672.6461. doi:10.1093/annhyg/5.1.47. ISSN 1475-3162.
  7. ^ a b "Government documents. Subsurface contamination reference guide. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, Washington, DC 20460. EPA/540/2-90/011". Remediation Journal. 1 (4): 503–504. September 1991. doi:10.1002/rem.3440010413. ISSN 1051-5658.
  8. ^ "Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products-Acute Poisoning (Home and Farm). By Marion N. Gleason, Roberte. Gosselin, and Haroldc. Hodge. The Williams and Wilkins Co., Baltimore, Md., 1957. xv 1160pp. 17 × 25.5cm. Price $16". Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Scientific Ed.). 46 (12): 748. December 1957. doi:10.1002/jps.3030461212. ISSN 0095-9553. S2CID 80076840.
  9. ^ Hudson, Naomi; Dotson, Scott (2017-08-01). NIOSH skin notation (SK) profile: disulfoton [CAS No. 298-04-4] (PDF) (Report). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. doi:10.26616/nioshpub2017185.
  10. ^ "Issue Information". Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. 121 (3): 151–152. 2017-08-11. doi:10.1111/bcpt.12739. ISSN 1742-7835.
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