 | |
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name N-Butyl-N-ethyl-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)aniline | |
| Other names Benefin; Benfluraline; α,α,α-Trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-ethylbutyl-p-toluidine | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChEBI | |
| ChemSpider |
|
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.015.878 |
| UNII | |
| |
| |
| Properties | |
| C13H16F3N3O4 | |
| Molar mass | 335.283 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Orange crystalline solid[1] |
| Density | 1.338 g/mL |
| Melting point | 65.0 to 65.5 °C (149.0 to 149.9 °F; 338.1 to 338.6 K)[1] |
| Boiling point | 121 to 122 °C (250 to 252 °F; 394 to 395 K)[1] at 0.6 mbar |
| 1 mg/L[1] | |
| Vapor pressure | 3.7 mPa[2] |
| Hazards | |
| Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |
Main hazards | Skin irritation; toxicity to aquatic life |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Benfluralin (orBenefin) is aherbicide of thedinitroaniline class. Themechanism of action of benfluralin involves pre-emergent inhibition ofmitosis, root and shoot development,[3] same astrifluralin, from which benfluralin was developed in 1963.[4][5]
It is used to control grasses and other weeds. Annual use in the United States was approximately 700,000 pounds (320 t) in 2004,[6] down from 1,200,000 pounds (540 t) in 1974, when it was used more thanparaquat.[7] Non-agricultural use includes domestic use,[8] turf, golf courses, ornamentals, tree plantations, roads and paths. It is used on lettuce, alfalfa, clover, fruit, nuts, berries, and vineyards.[8] Benfluralin's EU approval expired in 2023,[9] leavingpendimethalin as the only EU-approved dinitroaniline.[10]
Benfluralin is practically non-toxic. Chronic exposure may harm the liver and kidneys. No endocrine disruption is known. EPA modelling puts benfluralin water concentrations below any level of concern, and real life evidence shows benfluralin levels to be lower than predicted.[8]
Benfluralin's soil half-life is moderate, 22-79 days, and volatilises quickly. It can bioaccumulate in fish, to whom it is very toxic. It is practically non-toxic to birds and bees.[8]
After application, benefin must be inforporated into soil. It is usually applied at ~1.2 lb/ac (1.35 kg/Ha) active ingredient.[11]
Vapours of benefin can affect growing tobacco leaves, and exposed leaves are shortened, narrowed, thicker and distorted. Plant height is reduced, though more leaves sprout.[12]
Benfluralin'sHRAC classification is group K1 (global), D (Aus), 3 (numeric).[13]
Tradenames
Benfluralin has been marketed as: Balan, Balfin, Benefex, Benfluralin, Benefin, Bethrodine, Bonalan, Carpidor, Emblem, EL-110, Flubalex, Pel-Tech, Quilan, Surflan XL 2G, Team, and XL 2G. (XL 2G tradenames also containoryzalin.)[14]
Target weeds
Benefin controls the following weeds: (non-exhaustive list) Grasses: Annual bluegrass (Poa annua), barnyardgrass / watergrass (Echinochloa crus-galli), crabgrassDigitaria, crowfootgrass (dactyloctenium aegyptium), foxtails / bottlegrass / bristlegrass / pigeongrass (Setaria), Johnsongrass (seedling only) (Sorghum halepense), junglerice (Echinochloa colonum), fall panicum (panicum dichotomiflorum), Texas panicum / buffalograss / coloradograss (panicum texanum) and ryegrass / sandbur (lolium multiflorum). Weeds: carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata), chickweed (stellaria media), florida pusley / purslane / mexican clover (Richardia scabra), knotweed (Polygonum aviculare), common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album), pigweeds (Amaranthus), common purslane (Portulaca oleracea) and redmaids (Calandrinia ciliata).[11]
