Azobenzene (Ref: ENT 14611)

Azobenzene (Ref: ENT 14611)	Last updated: 04/03/2022
(Also known as: benzeneazobenzene; diazobenzene; azobenzide; azobenzol; azodibenzene)

SUMMARY

Azobenzene is an obsolete miticide. It has a low aqueous solubility and is moderately volatile. It tends to be moderately toxic to biodiversity although there are large gaps in data. It is moderately toxic to mammals if ingested and is a recognised irritant.

Data alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
Environmental fate Moderate alert: Drainflow: Slightly mobile Warning: Significant data are missing	Ecotoxicity High alert: Daphnia chronic ecotoxicity: High Warning: Significant data are missing	Human health Moderate alert: Mammals acute toxicity: Moderate; Possible Carcinogen

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A now obsolete insecticide that was formely used to control mites in a range of situations including glasshouses

Example pests controlled

Boll weevils; Aphids; Spidermites

Example applications

Glasshouse ornamentals including roses, flowering plants

Efficacy & activity

Availability status

Considered obsolete but may be available in some countries

Introduction & key dates

1945, first reported

UK regulatory status

UK COPR regulatory status

Not approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

Not applicable

UK LERAP status

No UK approval for use

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Not approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Not applicable

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

Not applicable

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Not applicable

Listed in EU database

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece

ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg

LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia

Additional information

Also used in

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Isomeric existing in the cis- and trans-forms. The two forms are photo-isomeric switching between forms depending on the light.

Chemical formula

C₁₂H₁₀N₂

Canonical SMILES

C1=CC=C(C=C1)N=NC2=CC=CC=C2

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

DMLAVOWQYNRWNQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C12H10N2/c1-3-7-11(8-4-1)13-14-12-9-5-2-6-10-12/h1-10H/b14-13+

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
trans-azobenzene	Isomer
cis-azobenzene	Isomer

General status

Pesticide type

Acaricide, Ovicide, Miticide

Substance groups

Bridged diphenyl acaricide

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Acts by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation, selective action

CAS RN

103-33-3

EC number

203-102-5

CIPAC number

241

US EPA chemical code

007401

PubChem CID

2272

CLP index number

611-001-00-6

Molecular mass

182.22

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

diphenyldiazene

IUPAC name

azobenzene

CAS name

diphenyldiazene

Other status information

PAN Bad Actor Chemical

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Herbicide Resistance Classification (HRAC)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Classification (WSSA)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Classification (IRAC)

Not known

Fungicide Resistance Classification (FRAC)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Tetranychus urticae

Physical state

Orange crystals

Formulations

Property

Value

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Spencer Chemicals

Example products using this active

B25
Carbyne

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as an emulsifiable concentrate

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

6.4

at 25 °C

Low

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

476

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

6.61 X 10⁰³

Calculated

Log P

3.82

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

-2.95

Very strong acid

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

1.42

Moderately volatile

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d

Slightly mobile

K_oc

2930

Notes and range

K_oc range 1350-4510 mL g⁻¹

Freundlich

K_f

K_foc

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

SCI-GROW groundwater index (μg l⁻¹) for a 1 kg ha⁻¹ or 1 l ha⁻¹ application rate

Value

Cannot be calculated

Note

Potential for particle bound transport index

Potential for loss via drain flow

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

Low potential

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 1000

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other pollinators (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other pollinators (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 0.5

Oryzias latipes

Moderate

Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 5.0

Daphnia magna

Moderate

Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

0.009

Daphnia magna

High

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

1.7

Scenedemus subspicatus

Moderate

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 1000

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Consumer exposure should be low or non-existent since compound is no longer produced or used in most of the developed world

Occupational

Occupational exposure should be low or non-existent since compound is no longer produced or used in most of the developed world

MRLs

European

EU MRL pesticide database

Great Britain

GB MRL Register

Notes

Drinking Water Standards

Drinking Water MAC (μg l⁻¹)

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Harmful is swallowed or inhaled
Tumorigenic agent
IARC Group 3 carcinogen
Probably liver toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

IMDG Transport class 9
Not compatible with strong oxidising agents

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

NL (Not listed)

UN Number

3077

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group III (minor danger)

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

azobenzene

French

azobenzène

German

Azobenzol

Danish

Italian

Spanish

azobenceno

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Record last updated:	04/03/2022
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242