Acephate

Acephate
IUPAC name N-(Methoxy-methylsulfanylphosphoryl)acetamide
Identifiers
CAS number	30560-19-1 Y
PubChem	1982
ChemSpider	1905 Y
UNII	3Y417O444D Y
KEGG	C14426 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:34520 Y
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES O=C(NP(=O)(OC)SC)C
InChI InChI=1S/C4H10NO3PS/c1-4(6)5-9(7,8-2)10-3/h1-3H3,(H,5,6,7) Y Key: YASYVMFAVPKPKE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C4H10NO3PS/c1-4(6)5-9(7,8-2)10-3/h1-3H3,(H,5,6,7) Key: YASYVMFAVPKPKE-UHFFFAOYAG
Properties
Molecular formula	C4H10NO3PS
Molar mass	183.17 g mol−1
Hazards
GHS hazard statements	[1] Y (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Acephate is an organophosphate foliar insecticide of moderate persistence with residual systemic activity of about 10-15 days at the recommended use rate. It is used primarily for control of aphids, including resistant species, in vegetables (e.g. potatoes, carrots, greenhouse tomatoes, and lettuce) and in horticulture (e.g. on roses and greenhouse ornamentals). It also controls leaf miners, caterpillars, sawflies and thrips in the previously stated crops as well as turf, and forestry. By direct application to mounds, it is effective in destroying imported fire ants.

Acephate is sold as a soluble powder, as emulsifiable concentrates, as pressurized aerosol, and in tree injection systems and granular formulations.

Toxicology

It is considered non-phytotoxic on many crop plants. Acephate and its primary metabolite, methamidophos, are toxic to Heliothis spp. that are considered resistant to other organophosphate insecticides. Acephate emits toxic fumes of phosphorus, nitrogen, and sulfur oxides when heated to decomposition. Symptoms of exposure to acephate include a slight irritation of eyes and skin.

The U.S. annually uses 4–5 million pounds of acephate. However, even in small quantities, acephate throws off the navigation systems of white-throated sparrows and other songbirds, making them unable to tell north from south^[2].

Further reading

• Acephate General Fact Sheet - National Pesticide Information Center
• Acephate Pesticide Information Profile - Extension Toxicology Network
• EPA Acephate Reregistration Eligibility Decision

Sources

1. ^ ^{a b} Online Sigma Catalogue , accessdate: May 22, 2011.
2. ^ Bridget Stutchbury (2007) Silence of the Songbirds, Walker & Company, ISBN 978-0-8027-1991-0

- U.S. EPA Office of Pesticide Programs.

- Extension Toxicology Network. Pesticide Information Profiles.

- Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University, Oregon State University, the University of Idaho, and the University of California at Davis.

- Institute for Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University.