Tetraethyl pyrophosphate
Names | |
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Preferred IUPAC name
Tetraethyl diphosphate | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (
JSmol ) |
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ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard
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100.003.179 |
EC Number |
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KEGG | |
PubChem CID
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RTECS number
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UNII | |
UN number | 3018 2783 |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C8H20O7P2 | |
Molar mass | 290.189 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | colorless to amber liquid[1] |
Odor | faint, fruity[1] |
Density | 1.19 g/mL (20°C)[1] |
Melting point | 0 °C; 32 °F; 273 K[1] |
Boiling point | decomposes[1] |
miscible[1] | |
Vapor pressure | 0.0002 mmHg (20°C)[1] |
Hazards | |
GHS labelling: | |
Danger | |
H300, H310, H400 | |
P262, P264, P270, P273, P280, P301+P310, P302+P350, P310, P321, P322, P330, P361, P363, P391, P405, P501 | |
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LDLo (lowest published)
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0.5 mg/kg (rat, oral) 2.3 mg/kg (guinea pig, oral) 3 mg/kg (mouse, oral)[2] |
NIOSH (US health exposure limits): | |
PEL (Permissible)
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TWA 0.05 mg/m3 [skin][1] |
REL (Recommended)
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TWA 0.05 mg/m3 [skin][1] |
IDLH (Immediate danger) |
5 mg/m3[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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Tetraethyl pyrophosphate, abbreviated TEPP, is an
Applications
TEPP is an insecticide to aphids, mites, spiders, mealybugs, leafhoppers, lygus bugs, thrips, leafminers, and many other pests.[4] TEPP and other organophosphates are the most widely used pesticides in the U.S. due to their effectiveness and relative small impact on the environment because this organophosphate breaks down so easily.
TEPP has been used for treatment for myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease. The treatment would deliver an increase in strength.[5]
Synthesis
The synthesis by De Clermont and Moschnin was based on the earlier work by Alexander Williamson (who is well known for the Williamson-synthesis of ethers).[6] Their synthesis made use of ethyl iodide and silver salts to form esters in combination with pyrophosphate.[7]
- Ag4P2O7 + 4EtI → [(EtO)2P(O)]2O + 4AgI
Commercial routes to TEPP often use methods developed by Schrader, Woodstock, and Toy.
- 2(EtO)2P(O)Cl + H2O → [(EtO)2P(O)]2O + 2HCl
The related tetrabenzylpyrophosphate is prepared by dehydration of dibenzylphosphoric acid:[12]
- 2(RO)2P(O)OH → [(EtO)2P(O)]2O + H2O
Hydrolysis
TEPP and most of the other organophosphates are susceptible to hydrolysis.[13] The product is diethyl phosphate.[13][14]
Toxicity
TEPP is bioactive as an
TEPP is highly toxic for all warm-blooded animals, including humans.[15] There are three types of effects on these animals that have come forward during laboratory studies.
- DERMAL: LD50 = 2.4 mg/kg (male rat)
- ORAL: LD50 = 1.12 mg/kg (rat)[4]
Death is mostly due to either respiratory failure and in some cases cardiac arrest. The route of absorption might be responsible for the range of effect on certain systems.[16]
For cold-blooded animals the effects are slightly different. In a study with frogs, acute exposure caused a depression in the amount of erythrocytes in the blood. There was also a reduction of white bloodcells, especially the neutrophil granulocytes and lymphocytes. There was no visible damage to the bloodvessels to explain the loss of blood cells. Further there were no signs like hypersalivation or tears like in warm-blooded animals, though there was hypotonia leading to paralysis.[17]
History
It was first synthesized by
The ignorance about the potential
It was not until 1932 before the first adverse effects of compounds similar to TEPP had been recognized. Willy Lange and Gerda von Krueger were the first to report such effects, about which the following statement was published in their article (in German):[20]
"Interestingly, we report the strong effect of monofluorophosphate phosphoric acid alkyl esters on the human organism. The vapor of these compounds have a pleasant odor and sharply aromatic. After only a few minutes of inhaling the vapor, there is a strong pressure on the larynx, associated with shortness of breath. Then comes decreased awareness, opacities, and dazzling phenomena causing painful sensitivity of the eye to light. Only after several hours is there relief from these phenomena. They are apparently not caused by acidic decomposition products of the ester, but they are probably due to the Dialkyl monofluorophosphates themselves. The effects are exerted by very small amounts."
Starting in 1935 the German government started gathering information about new toxic substances, of which some were to be classified as secret by the German Ministry of Defence.[19] Gerhard Schrader, who has become famous for his studies into organophosphorus insecticides and nerve gases, was one of the chemists who was also studying TEPP. In his studies, in particular his studies into the biological aspects, he noticed that this reagent could possibly be used as an insecticide. This would make the classification of the compound as secret disadvantageous for commercial firms.[19]
Around the beginning of the
After the Second World War, Schrader was among many German scientists who were interrogated by English scientists, among others. During the war, the English had been developing chemical weapons of their own to surprise their enemies. In these interrogations the existence of TEPP and other insecticides were disclosed. The existence of nerve gases, however also being disclosed by Schrader, was kept secret by the military.[10]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0590". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
- ^ "TEPP". Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
- ISBN 978-3527306732.
- ^ .
- ISSN 0002-9394.
- ^ PMID 19435147.
- .
- ISBN 978-1-4832-2084-0.
- ^ National Research Council (U S. ) Pesticide Residues Committee (1965). Report on "no Residue" and "zero Tolerance". National Academies. pp. 3–4.
- ^ PMID 18102975.
- .
- .
- ^ PMID 11869832.
- PMID 11543910.
- ^ "Benfluralin - National Library of Medicine HSDB Database". toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
- ^ Clarke, Myra L.; Harvey, Douglas Graham; Humphreys, David John (1988). Veterinary Toxicology (2 ed.). London, England: Bailliere Tindal. p. 157.
- PMID 4284682.
- ^ ISBN 978-3-642-99875-1.
- PMID 21105582.