METOXURON

The Uses of METOXURON

Metoxuron is used as a herbicide.

Definition

ChEBI: Metoxuron is a member of the class of 3-(3,4-substituted-phenyl)-1,1-dimethylureas that is urea in which one of the nitrogens is substituted by a 3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl group while the other is substituted by two methyl groups. It is a plant growth regulator and a pre- and post-emergence herbicide used for the control of grasses and broad-leaved weeds in carrots and cereals (e.g. wheat, barley and rye). It has a role as an agrochemical, an environmental contaminant, a herbicide, a xenobiotic, a photosystem-II inhibitor and a plant growth regulator. It is a 3-(3,4-substituted-phenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, a monomethoxybenzene and a member of monochlorobenzenes.

Metabolic pathway

Photodegradation of metoxuron with UV irradiation in the presence of UV-H2O2 and -TiO2 primarily proceeds with the replacement of the chlorine atom with the hydroxy group and the attack of OH radicals at the 6-position on the phenyl ring. The principal photoproducts identified are 3-(4-methoxy-2,5- paraquinone)-1,1-dimethylurea, hydroxymetoxuron, 3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, 3-(3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, and 3-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1,1dimethylurea.