Table Of ContentMetabolic Pathways of Agrochemicals
Part 1: Herbicides and Plant Growth Regulators
Metabolic Pathways of
Agrochemicals
Part 1: Herbicides and Plant Growth
Regulators
Editor-in-Chief
Terry R. Roberts
JSC International Ltd., Harrogate, UK
Contributing Editors
David H. Hutson
Consultant, UK
Philip W. Lee
E I Du Pont de Nemours G, Co., USA
Peter H. Nicholls
IACR-R othams ted Experimental Stat ion , UK
Jack R. Plimmer
Consultant, USA
THE ROYAL
lnformati on
Services
ISBN 0-85404-494-9
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
0T he Royal Society of Chemistry 1998
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Preface
Information on the degradation and metabolism of agrochemicals has
been developed over more than 40 years for a variety of reasons. During
this time chemists and biochemists have devoted their skills to the iso-
lation and identification of transformation products in a wide variety
of matrices, employing new technology as it emerges. Whereas co-
chromatography with an authentic standard was perfectly acceptable as a
means of identification in the early days of the science, nowadays, mass
spectrometry in its many forms is the norm. A knowledge of the metabol-
ism of herbicides in plants often provides an insight into selectivity and
mode of action which is invaluable to biochemists and to synthesis
chemists, leading to the development of new molecules with improved
properties. Metabolism of insecticides and other agrochemicals in
animals frequently sheds light on mechanisms of toxicology. Within
environmental risk assessment, chemical and biological degradation
processes will largely govern environmental fate.
Within the past 10-20 years, there is no doubt that the major impetus for
generating metabolism data has been for regulatory purposes. The data
requirements for registration of agrochemicals have increased steadily
over the years, especially for environmental risk assessments. As a result,
determining the environmental fate of a pesticide is fundamental and
now one of the first considerations in the commercialisation of a new
product.
Despite this wide ranging interest, it is surprising that there is currently
no comprehensive review or reference book that brings together the avail-
able data on chemical degradation processes and metabolic pathways in
soils, plants and animals. This Metabolic Pathways reference book is
therefore designed to fill this need. In compiling the data for publication
the editors are well aware that there is more, unpublished scientific
information on metabolism of agrochemicals. We would welcome any
additional data for inclusion in future updates of the book.
Now that Part 1 on Herbicides and Plant Growth Regulators is com-
plete, I would like to express my great thanks to the Contributing Editors
who have more than 100 years of relevant experience, and to Marie
Roberts for co-ordinating the efforts of these diverse personalities (includ-
ing myself) against a tight schedule. I am also indebted to Lucy Croucher
(ably assisted by Andrew Croucher) for her skill in preparation of the
schemes and structures that are a major feature of the book. In addition
V
to those of the Editors, some contributions from other experts in the
agrochemical industry have been welcomed (see individual entries).
Thanks are also due to the RSC search services, particularly Claire Lucas,
and the RSC editorial and production staff.
This book is dedicated to all those who have experienced the frustration
and the eventual tremendous satisfaction of isolating and identifying
novel metabolites of agrochemicals in the laboratory.
Terry Roberts
March 1998
Vi
Editors
L. J. Croucher, JSC International Ltd, Osborne House, 20 Victoria Avenue,
Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 5QY, UK
D. H. Hutson, Rosillian, 18 Tredova Crescent, Falmouth,
Cornwall TR114EQ, UK
[email protected]
P. W. Lee, E I Du Pont de Nemours G, Co., Du Pont Agricultural Products,
Experimental Station, Building 402, Wilmington, Delaware 19880-0402, USA
Philip.w .I e e@usa. d up on t .c om
P. H. Nicholls, IACR-Rothamsted, Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ, UK
[email protected]
J. R. Plimmer, 2901 Price Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33611, USA
Plimmerj@aol. corn
M. C. Roberts, Badger Flat, Lord Nelson House, Masham, Ripon,
North Yorkshire HG4 4EB, UK
Mcrbadgeraaol.c um
T. R. Roberts, JSC International Ltd, Osborne House, 20 Victoria Avenue,
Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 5QY, UK
101 [email protected]
The Editor-in-Chief, Terry Roberts, is well-known in the field of
metabolism of agrochemicals. He joined JSC International Ltd, UK in
1996, providing consulting services with the emphasis on EU registration.
Dr Roberts has been active in international scientific organisations and
has also published extensively. Marie Roberts is the Co-ordinating Editor,
and structures were prepared by Lucy J. Croucher. The team is completed
by four Contributing Editors who are listed below.
David H. Hutson (Joint Editor-in-Chief for Part 2) joined Shell Research
Ltd in 1965, studying the metabolism and toxicology of agrochemicals
in mammals, as well as the fate of agrochemicals in plants and soils,
Now retired, Dr Hutson is the author or editor of a large number of
publications.
Philip W. Lee is a Senior Research Associate with E I Du Pont de
Nemours & Co Ltd, USA. Dr Lee has a broad interest in the development
and application of environmental fate, metabolism and residue chemistry
data to support the safety assessment of crop protection products.
vii
Peter H. Nicholls has worked at Rothamsted since 1973 on the physico-
chemical properties of pesticides and their influence on the fate of pesti-
cides in the environment. He has a particular interest in the behaviour of
ionisable compounds in soils and plants.
Jack R. Plimmer, after a varied career which included lecturing, natural
products research, pesticide degradation in soils, and research into the
environmental transport of pesticides, is an independent consultant. A
recipient of the ACS Burdick and Jackson International Award in Pesticide
Chemistry and former North American Editor of Pesticide Science, Dr
Plimmer has served on many international committees and task forces
concerned with pesticides and the environment.
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