NOMENCLATURE    

Common name imidacloprid

IUPAC name (E)-1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-N-nitroimidazolidin-2-ylideneamine    

Chemical Abstracts name (2E)-1-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine 

CAS RN [138261–41–3]

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY    

Mol. wt. 255.7 M.f. C₉H₁₀ClN₅O₂ Form Colourless crystals, with a weak characteristic odour. M.p. 144 °C V.p. 4 × 10^-7 mPa (20 °C); 9 × 10^-7 mPa (25 °C) Kow logP = 0.57 (21 °C) Henry 1.7 × 10^-10 Pa m³ mol^-1 (20 °C, calc.) S.g./density 1.54 (23 °C) Solubility In water 0.61 g/l (20 °C). In dichloromethane 67, isopropanol 2.3, toluene 0.69 (all in g/l, 20 °C); in n-hexane <0.1 g/l (ambient temperature). Stability Stable to hydrolysis at pH 5–11.     

APPLICATIONS    

Biochemistry Acts as an antagonist by binding to postsynaptic nicotinic receptors in the insect central nervous system. 

Mode of action Systemic insecticide with translaminar activity and with contact and stomach action. Readily taken up by the plant and further distributed acropetally, with good root-systemic action.    

Uses Control of sucking insects, including rice-, leaf- and planthoppers, aphids, thrips and whiteflies. Also effective against soil insects, termites and some species of biting insects, such as rice water weevil and Colorado beetle. Has no effect on nematodes and spider mites. Used as a seed dressing, as soil treatment and as foliar treatment in different crops, e.g. rice, cotton, cereals, maize, sugar beet, potatoes, vegetables, citrus fruit, pome fruit and stone fruit. 

Formulation types DP; EC; FS; GR; OD; SC; SL; WG; WP; WS.