Leptophos (O-(4-bromo-2,5-dichlorophenyl) O-methyl phenylphosphonothioate) belongs to the organophosphates and at room temperature it is a stable white solid. It is also known as Phosvel, Abar and Vcs 506. Leptophos was primarily used as a pesticide and fungicide.[3] for rice, cotton, fruit and vegetables until its use was discontinued in 1975 in USA,[4] but still sold in South-Eastern Asia in 1981.[5]

Leptophos
Chemical structure of Leptophos
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
O-(4-Bromo-2,5-dichlorophenyl) O-methyl phenylphosphonothioate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.040.415 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 244-472-8
KEGG
UNII
UN number 3464 3018
  • InChI=1S/C13H10BrCl2O2PS/c1-17-19(20,9-5-3-2-4-6-9)18-13-8-11(15)10(14)7-12(13)16/h2-8H,1H3 checkY
    Key: CVRALZAYCYJELZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • c1([P@@](Oc2c(cc(Br)c(c2)Cl)Cl)(OC)=S)ccccc1
Properties
C13H10BrCl2O2PS
Molar mass 412.06 g·mol−1
Appearance White crystalline solid
Density 1.53 g/cm3
Melting point 70 °C (158 °F; 343 K)
Boiling point 180 °C (356 °F; 453 K) (decomposes)
0.0047 mg/l
log P 6.31 [1]
Vapor pressure 2.3E-8 mm Hg
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS06: Toxic GHS08: Health hazard GHS09: Environmental hazard[2]
Danger
H301, H312, H370, H410
P260, P264, P270, P273, P280, P301+P310, P302+P352, P307+P311, P312, P321, P322, P330, P363, P405, P501
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
Rat 135mg/kg (intraperitoneal)

Rat 19mg/kg (oral)

Rat 44mg/kg (skin)

Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Leptophos was first discovered to be toxic in 1974 when more than 1000 water buffaloes died after exposure to leptophos in Egypt. In response to this event, the effect of leptophos was investigated on chickens, mice and sheep.[6]

History

edit

In Egypt, leptophos used on cotton in 1971 caused the death of more than 1000 water buffalos and a number of farmers. The compound was never registered for domestic use by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) but was exported from the U.S. to at least 30 countries. Leptophos was discontinued for use in late 1975 due to its high toxicity. Between 1971 and 1976 the U.S. used $4 million in United States Agency for International Development funds to ship 13.9 million pounds of leptophos and other banned pesticides to 50 countries. In 1975 U.S. companies alone, exported over 3 million pounds of leptophos.

In 1976, workers in the Velsicol's chemical plant in Bayport, Texas, reported serious neurological symptoms, the Phosvel zombies, and filed a lawsuit against the company.[5] When Colombia banned leptophos in 1977, the American company Velsicol stopped the production and shipped its Colombian stocks to El Salvador. No prohibitions exist in El Salvador. In other instances Leptophos was imported to Costa Rica via Mexico and Panama, and until 1981 Leptophos was being sold in Indonesia.[7]

Structure and reactivity

edit

It is stable at normal temperatures; at 180 degrees Celsius 85 percent of the material is decomposed in 5 hours, and at 208 degrees Celsius it decomposes in 2 hours. The main product of thermal decomposition is the S-methyl isomer O-(4-bromo-2,5-chlorophenyl) S-methyl phenylphosphonothioate. Leptophos is hydrolysed slowly under alkaline conditions. The material is stable toward acid.[citation needed]

In the laboratory, when irradiated with high intensity UV light in the presence of a strong UV sensitizer, leptophos is rapidly converted first to O-(2,5-dichlorophenyl) O-methylphenyl-phosphonothioate, referred to as the dichloro-photoproduct, and then to a material with the empirical formula C13H10ClO2PS (tentatively identified as 3-chloro-6-methoxydibenz [1,2]-oxaphosphorin-6-thione or O-methyl-O,P-(4-chlorobiphenyl-2,6-ylene) phosphonothioate and referred to as the monochloro-photoproduct. UV light increases the rate of hydrolysis under field conditions.[8]

Synthesis

edit

There are multiple ways to synthesize leptophos. One of the methods that is possible for doing that is to let O-methyl phenylthiophosponyl chloride react with 4-bromo-2,5-dichlorophenol:

C7H8ClOPS + C6H3BrCl2O → C13H10BrCl2O2PS + HCl.

It is also possible to produce it by the reaction of phenylphosphonothioic dichloride with methanol and trimethylamine in toluene follow by a reaction with potassium 4-bromo-2,5-dichlorophenoxide.[9]

Toxicodynamics

edit

Leptophos is an irreversible inhibitor of cholinesterases in vitro. The inhibitory activity of leptophos seems to be related to hydrophobic interactions involving lipophilic groups as phenyl and 4-bromo-2,5-dichlorophenyl and the ability of these groups to donate electrons to firm a complex with the enzyme.[10]

An example of a cholinesterase is the acetylcholinesterase (AChE). This cholinesterase converts the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into the inactive metabolites choline and acetate. Acetylcholine receptors are of two types:

  1. A fast-acting ion-channel controlled receptor.
  2. A slow-acting receptor that acts through a G-protein (guanine nucleotide-binding protein) that stimulates second-messengers (often cyclic AMP) to indirectly open ion-channels.

Direct ion-channel controlling receptors can respond in microseconds, whereas indirect second-messenger controlling receptors take milliseconds to produce a response.[11]

When leptophos binds to the AChE, the acetylcholine does not get inactivated. This interferes with a normal signal transfer. This means that a nerve signal can't get transmitted in the way it should be and leads to a broad range of clinical symptoms.

Metabolism

edit

The main metabolic pathway in of leptophos in rats is an enzymatic hydrolysis of the compound. The main Metabolites are phosphonic acid, 4-bromo-2,3-dichlorophenol, O-methyl O-hydrogen phenylphosphonothioate and methyl hydrogen phenylphosphonate. It is unsure which of the two possible pathways is used to get phosphonic acid.[12]

 

Absorption and excretion

edit

[13]

Following oral administration, leptophos is excreted in urine and faeces as several components. Several components found in urine included: O-methyl phenyl phosphonate (a major component in raturine), O-methyl phenyl phosphonothioic acid (a major component in miceurine), leptophos phenol, and phenyl phosphonic acid. Interspecies differences in metabolism can explain the difference in major metabolites is mice and rats.

Studies in plants indicated that leptophos was slowly absorbed following a foliar treatment with the major quantity found to remain on the leaf surface. Studies with several leaf types (bean - lettuce) showed that residues diminished rapidly on both types of surfaces. The primary mechanism by which leptophos was lost was presumed to be by volatilization. Qualitatively, leptophos was metabolized to products similar to those found with the mouse. Phenyl phosphonate derivatives were also recovered from plant surfaces.[8]

Indications

edit

Leptophos, as well as every other organophosphate, causes acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Because of this inhibition the following symptoms were observed.

Skin Skin rash, itching, burning or prickling of the skin, tingling or numbness of hands and the face, muscular twitching or cramps in the face, neck and limbs. A positive score on three or more symptoms was used as a cut off point for further analysis.
Respiratory Chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulties with breathing, wheezing, runny nose, irritation of the throat and cough. If the patient showed three or more of these symptoms they were considered having respiratory symptoms.
Systemic Excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, burning on urination and poor appetite. A positive score on three or more symptoms was used as a cut off point for further analysis.
Eye Lacrimation and irritation of the eyes. If both symptoms were observed the patient was considered to have eye problems due to the poisoning.
CNS Trembling hands difficulty in seeing, irritability, forgetfulness, restlessness and difficulties falling asleep. A positive score on five or more of the 14 symptoms was used as a cut off point for further analysis.

Toxicity

edit

Due to the severe toxicity of leptophos, the lethal doses (LD) are determined in animal tests. Toxicity differs between species and between exposure through the skin, inhalation and the gastrointestinal track (table).[14]

Organism Test Type Route Reported Dose Effect Source
Cat LDLo Skin 2250 mg/kg Ataxia, Changes in Salivary glands, Hypermotility, Diarrhea. National Technical Information Service. Vol. OTS0543229,
Chicken LD Intravenous >30 mg/kg Changes in serum composition Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine.
Chicken LD50 Oral 4700 mg/kg Ataxia, Flaccid paralysis without anesthesia and changes in motor activity. Experientia. Vol. 30, Pg. 63, 1974.
Mammal (species unspecified) LD50 Skin 50 mg/kg Gigiena Truda i Professional'nye Zabolevaniya. Labor Hygiene and Occupational Diseases. Vol. 21(7), Pg. 34, 1977.
Mouse LD50 Oral 65 mg/kg [15]
Mouse LD50 Subcutaneous 120 mg/kg Oyo Yakuri. Pharmacometrics. Vol. 3, Pg. 74, 1969.
Rabbit LD50 Oral 124 mg/kg Hemorrhage, Hypermotility, Diarrhea and Lacrimation eyes. Journal Europeen de Toxicologie. Vol. 6, Pg. 70, 1973.
Rabbit LD50 Skin 800 mg/kg Journal Europeen de Toxicologie. Vol. 6, Pg. 70, 1973.
Rat LD50 Intravenous 135 mg/kg Hemorrhage, Hypermotility, Diarrhea and Lacrimation eyes. Oyo Yakuri. Pharmacometrics. Vol. 22, Pg. 373, 1981.
Rat LD50 Oral 19 mg/kg Fundamental and Applied Toxicology. Vol. 7, Pg. 299, 1986.
Rat LD50 Skin 44 mg/kg Fundamental and Applied Toxicology. Vol. 7, Pg. 299, 1986.

References

edit
  1. ^ Hansch, C; et al. (1995). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ Gaja Peters; Inga Thede; Volkmar Vill; Ron Zenczykowski. "Landolt Börnstein/Property Index". Universatie of Hamburg. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
  3. ^ "338. Leptophos (WHO Pesticide Residues Serie 5)". Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  4. ^ Toxipedia. "Toxipedia: Leptophos".
  5. ^ a b Hulebak, Karen L. (1987). "Neurotoxicants: Emerging issues and policy options". Neurotoxicology and Teratology. 9 (2): 187–192. doi:10.1016/0892-0362(87)90097-3. PMID 3657755.
  6. ^ Shukla, O P; AK Kulshreth (1998). Pesticides, Man and Bioshere.
  7. ^ "Some pesticides use around world". Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Leptophos (WHO Pesticide Residues Series 5)". Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  9. ^ Worthing, C.R. (1979). Pesticide Manual 6th edition. Worcestershire, England: British Crop Protection Souncil. p. 318.
  10. ^ Abou-Donia, Mohamed B; Sandra H. Preissig (1976). "Delayed Neurotoxicity of Leptophos: Toxic Effects on the Nervous System of Hens". Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 35 (2): 269–282. doi:10.1016/0041-008x(76)90287-8. PMID 57652.
  11. ^ Best, Ben. "The Anatomical Basis of Mind". Retrieved 2012-03-02.
  12. ^ Holmstead, R. L.; T. R. Fukuto; R. B. March. "1) The Metabolism of O-(4-bromo-2, 5-dichlorophenyl) O-methylphenylphosphonothioate (Leptophos) in White Mice and on Cotton Plants". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. ^ Needham, Larry L. "Assessing Exposure to Organophosphorus Pesticides by Biomonitoring in Epidemiologic Studies of Birth". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
  14. ^ "ChemIDplus Advance".
  15. ^ Hollingshaus, JG; Abu-El-Haj S; Fukuto TR. (Nov–Dec 1979). "Delayed neurotoxicity of O-alkyl O-aryl phenylphosphonothioate analogues related to leptophos administered orally to the hen". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 27 (6): 1197–201. doi:10.1021/jf60226a014. PMID 94601.