{{chembox | Verifiedfields = changed | Watchedfields = changed | verifiedrevid = 459451584 | ImageFile = Propoxur.svg | ImageAlt = Skeletal formula of propoxur | ImageFile1 = Propoxur-3D-balls.png | ImageSize1 = 220 | ImageAlt1 = Ball-and-stick model of the propoxur molecule | PIN = 2-[(Propan-2-yl)oxy]phenyl methylcarbamate | OtherNames = |Section1={{Chembox Identifiers | CASNo_Ref = {{cascite|correct|CAS}} | CASNo = 114-26-1 | PubChem = 4944 | ChemSpiderID_Ref = {{chemspidercite|changed|chemspider}} | ChemSpiderID = 4775 | KEGG_Ref = {{keggcite|correct|kegg}} | KEGG = C14334 | ChEBI_Ref = {{ebicite|changed|EBI}} | ChEBI = 34938 | ChEMBL_Ref = {{ebicite|changed|EBI}} | ChEMBL = 446060 | UNII_Ref = {{fdacite|correct|FDA}} | UNII = BFH029TL73 | SMILES = CC(C)Oc1ccccc1OC(=O)NC | StdInChI = 1S/C11H15NO3/c1-8(2)14-9-6-4-5-7-10(9)15-11(13)12-3/h4-8H,1-3H3,(H,12,13) | StdInChIKey = ISRUGXGCCGIOQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N }} |Section2={{Chembox Properties | C=11 | H=15 | N=1 | O=3 | Appearance = White to tan crystalline powder<ref name=PGCH/> | Odor = faint, characteristic<ref name=PGCH/> | Density = | MeltingPtF = 187 to 197 | BoilingPt = decomposes<ref name=PGCH/> | Solubility = 0.2% (20°C)<ref name=PGCH/> | VaporPressure = 0.0000937 mmHg (20 °C)<ref name=PGCH/> }} |Section6={{Chembox Pharmacology | ATCvet = yes | ATCCode_prefix = P53 | ATCCode_suffix = AE02 }} |Section7={{Chembox Hazards | MainHazards = | FlashPt = > | FlashPtF = 300 | AutoignitionPt = | PEL = none<ref name=PGCH>{{PGCH|0531}}</ref> | IDLH = N.D.<ref name=PGCH/> | REL = TWA 0.5 mg/m<sup>3</sup><ref name=PGCH/> }} }}
'''Propoxur''' is a carbamate, non-systemic, synthetic insecticide, produced from catechol,<ref>{{Ullmann |doi=10.1002/14356007.a19_313|title=Phenol Derivatives |year=2000 |last1=Fiege |first1=Helmut |last2=Voges |first2=Heinz-Werner |last3=Hamamoto |first3=Toshikazu |last4=Umemura |first4=Sumio |last5=Iwata |first5=Tadao |last6=Miki |first6=Hisaya |last7=Fujita |first7=Yasuhiro |last8=Buysch |first8=Hans-Josef |last9=Garbe |first9=Dorothea |last10=Paulus |first10=Wilfried |isbn=3527306730 }}</ref> and was introduced in 1959 by Bayer.<ref name="efsa">{{cite journal |last1=Anastassiadou |first1=Maria |last2=Bernasconi |first2=Giovanni |last3=Brancato |first3=Alba |last4=Carrasco Cabrera |first4=Luis |last5=Ferreira |first5=Lucien |last6=Greco |first6=Luna |last7=Jarrah |first7=Samira |last8=Kazocina |first8=Aija |last9=Leuschner |first9=Renata |last10=Magrans |first10=Jose Oriol |last11=Miron |first11=Ileana |last12=Nave |first12=Stefanie |last13=Pedersen |first13=Ragnor |last14=Reich |first14=Hermine |last15=Rojas |first15=Alejandro |last16=Sacchi |first16=Angela |last17=Santos |first17=Miguel |last18=Scarlato |first18=Alessia Pia |last19=Theobald |first19=Anne |last20=Vagenende |first20=Benedicte |last21=Verani |first21=Alessia |title=Reasoned opinion on the toxicological properties and maximum residue levels for propoxur |journal=EFSA Journal |date=January 2021 |volume=19 |issue=1 |doi=10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6374 |pmc=7812492 }}</ref>
==Action== Carbamate insecticides kill insects by irreversibly inactivating the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, thus it is a Cholinesterase inhibitor.
It has a fast knockdown and long residual effect, and is used against turf, forestry, and household pests and fleas. It is also used in pest control for domestic animals, ''Anopheles'' mosquitoes, ants, gypsy moths, and other agricultural pests.<ref>ACGIH, 1991a{{full|date=April 2010}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">Budavari, 1996a{{full|date=April 2010}}</ref> It can also be used as a molluscicide.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>Lewis, 1993a{{full|date=April 2010}}</ref><ref Name=EXTOXNET>[http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/propoxur.htm EXTOXNET Extension Toxicology Network. Pesticide Information Profile. Propoxur.] June 1996.</ref> It has been an ingredient in the consumer insecticide brand, Baygon.
==Environmental effects== Propoxur is highly toxic to many bird species, although its toxicity varies by the species, and it is highly toxic to honeybees.<ref Name=EXTOXNET/> It is moderately to slightly toxic to fish and other aquatic species.
EFSA recommends that the active substance should be assessed for neurotoxicity, since propoxur acts by inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase.<ref name="efsa"/> Several U.S. states have petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use propoxur against bedbug infestations, but the EPA has been reluctant to approve indoor use because of its potential toxicity to children after chronic exposure.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/opinion/05sun3.html |journal=New York Times |title=In Search of a Bedbug Solution |date=September 4, 2010}}</ref>
Propoxur rapidly breaks down in alkaline solution.<ref>[http://www.inchem.org/documents/jmpr/jmpmono/v073pr19.htm Propoxur (WHO Pesticide Residues Series 3):] October 01, 2009.</ref>
==Regulation== The use of propoxur products ended in Europe after no manufacturer submitted an application for approval in 2002.<ref name="efsa"/> Manufacturers reached an agreement with the US EPA to withdraw propoxur from flea and tick collars during 2015-2016 due to concerns about exposure of the ingredient to children.<ref>{{cite web |title=Companies Agree to Stop Selling Pet Collars Containing Pesticide to Protect Children |url=https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/companies-agree-stop-selling-pet-collars-containing-pesticide-protect-children |publisher=US EPA |access-date=25 October 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Insecticides}} {{Acetylcholine metabolism and transport modulators}}
Category:Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors Category:Neurotoxins Category:Carbamate insecticides Category:Catechol ethers Category:Isopropyl compounds Category:Aromatic carbamates Category:Phenol esters