Common name:   Diflufenican

Other Name: N-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)-3-pyridinecarboxamide

CAS NO.: 83164-33-4

Molecular formula: C12H4Cl2F6N4OS

Specification:  98% TC, 50% WDG, 50% WP, 30% SC

Form: Colourless crystals.

B.p.: V.p.: 4.25 × 10-3 mPa (25 °C, gas saturation method) Henry: 0.033 Pa m3 mol-1S.g.

Solubility: In water <0.05 mg/l (25 °C). Soluble in most organic solvents, e.g. acetone, dimethylformamide 100, acetophenone, cyclohexanone 50, isophorone 35, xylene 20, cyclohexane, 2-ethoxyethanol, kerosene <10 (all in g/kg, 20 °C).

Stability: Stable in air up to melting point. At 22 °C, very stable in aqueous solution at pH 5, 7 and 9.

Fairly stable to photolysis.

Biochemistry: Carotenoid synthesis (phytoene desaturase) & photosynthetic electron flow inhibitor. Mode of action: Selective contact and residual herbicide, absorbed principally by the shoots of germinating seedlings, with limited translocation. Uses: Applied at 125-250 g/ha pre- or early post-emergence in autumn-sown wheat and barley to control grass and broad-leaved weeds, particularly Galium, Veronica and Viola spp. Normally used in combination with isoproturon or other cereal herbicides. Phytotoxicity: Any slight phytotoxicity is in the form of small transient patches on basal leaves, with no adverse effect on crop development.