Morantel tartrate

Morantel tartrate	Last updated: 06/09/2025
(Not known by any other names)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

Morantel tartrate is a veterinary antinematodal agent

Examples of veterinary uses

Used as a livestock feed additive or as tablets for oral admission for control of gastrointestinal parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms

Examples of species treated

Goats; Sheep; Cattle; Horses; Elephants; Pigs

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Not approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Morantel tartrate exhibits geometric and structural isomerism, primarily due to the configuration of its ethylene bridge and the presence of a thiophene ring. The active component, morantel, contains a double bond between the pyrimidine ring and the thiophene moiety, which allows for E/Z (cis/trans) isomerism. The therapeutically active form is the (E)-isomer, where the substituents are positioned opposite each other across the double bond, optimising its interaction with parasitic acetylcholine receptors. Additionally, samples of morantel tartrate may contain a structural isomer impurity, specifically the 4-methylthienyl isomer, which differs in the position of the methyl group on the thiophene ring.

Chemical formula

C₁₆H₂₂N₂O₆S

Canonical SMILES

CC1=C(SC=C1)C=CC2=NCCCN2C.C(C(C(=O)O)O)(C(=O)O)O

Isomeric SMILES

CC1=C(SC=C1)/C=C/C2=NCCCN2C.C(C(C(=O)O)O)(C(=O)O)O

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

GGXQONWGCAQGNA-FXRZFVDSSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C12H16N2S.C4H6O6/c1-10-6-9-15-11(10)4-5-12-13-7-3-8-14(12)2;5-1(3(7)8)2(6)4(9)10/h4-6,9H,3,7-8H2,1-2H3;1-2,5-6H,(H,7,8)(H,9,10)/b5-4+

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Anthelmintic

Substance groups

Tetrahydropyrimidine

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Acts as a potent agonist at the acetylcholine receptors on the muscle cells of nematodes

Molecular targets

[Acetylcholine receptor, Agonist]

CAS RN

26155-31-7

EC number

247-481-5

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

329818012

Therapeutic Class

Anthelmintics,Tetrahydropyrimidines

ATCvet Code

QP52AF01

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

370.42

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid;1-methyl-2-[(E)-2-(3-methylthiophen-2-yl)ethenyl]-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrimidine

IUPAC name

2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid;1-methyl-2-[(E)-2-(3-methylthiophen-2-yl)ethenyl]-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrimidine

CAS name

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White to off-white crystalline powder

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1981, first registered USA

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

Santa Cruz Biotechnology
Phibro Animal Health Corporation

Example products using this active

Paratect
Rumatel
Banminth II

Formulation and application details

Usually formulated for oral administration as tablets, oral suspension or medicated premix

Commercial production

The production of morantel tartrate involves a multi-step chemical synthesis starting with the formation of the morantel base, a tetrahydropyrimidine derivative. This base is synthesised through a condensation reaction involving 1-methyl-2-(3-methyl-2-thienyl)vinylpyrimidine, which is then purified and reacted with tartaric acid to form the tartrate salt.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

150000

High

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

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

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

1.26 X 10⁰⁰

Calculated

Log P

0.1

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

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

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

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

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

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)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 990

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

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

> 10

Rat

Moderate

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

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

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

Notes

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 bee species (1)

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

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (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

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 2000

Cyprinus carpio

Low

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

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

5600

Moina macrocopia

Low

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

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

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 (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

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)

> 990

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

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Mainly excreated in faeces with less than 20% of the administered dose recovered in urine over 96 hours

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

No data found

; ; ; ;

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

No information available

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

Health H302, H312, H332

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

Light sensitive - store in the dark

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

morantel tartrate

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	06/09/2025
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