Icaridin (Ref: KBR 3023)

Icaridin (Ref: KBR 3023)	Last updated: 04/09/2025
(Also known as: icaradine; picaradin; propidine; autan; hydroethyl isobutyl piperidine carboxylate)

SUMMARY

Icaridin is an insect repellent. It has a high aquatic solubility and is volatile. Data is limited regarding its environmental persistence. It has a relatively low mammalian toxicity and a high potential to bioaccumulate. It is not highly toxic to birds or fish. There are gaps in ecotoxicology and environmental fate data.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An insect repellant used for both human and animal applications to control a broad spectrum of insect pests

Examples of veterinary uses

Used topically as a repellent for general insect pests such as flies, mites, lice and fleas

Examples of species treated

Livestock

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Not approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Icaridin exhibits stereoisomerism, specifically due to the presence of two chiral centres in its molecular structure. This configuration allows for the formation of four stereoisomers - two pairs of enantiomers that exist as a racemic mixture of diastereomers.

Chemical formula

C₁₂H₂₃NO₃

Canonical SMILES

CCC(C)OC(=O)N1CCCCC1CCO

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

QLHULAHOXSSASE-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C12H23NO3/c1-3-10(2)16-12(15)13-8-5-4-6-11(13)7-9-14/h10-11,14H,3-9H2,1-2H3

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Insecticide

Substance groups

Piperidine compound

Minimum active substance purity

970 g kg⁻¹

Known relevant impurities

None declared by manufacturer; Chemistry suggests sec-butyl chloroformate & sec-butyl carbonic anhydride

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Topically applied, repellent. Odorant receptor. It has been proposed that icaridin may bind to odorant binding protein 1 (AgamOBP1).

Molecular targets

[Odorant-binding proteins (AgamOBP1), Binder]

CAS RN

119515-38-7

EC number

423-210-8

CIPAC number

740

US EPA chemical code

070705

PubChem CID

125098

CLP index number

No data found

Therapeutic Class

ATCvet Code

None allocated

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

229.32

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(RS)-sec-butyl (RS)-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate

CAS name

1-methylpropyl 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperidinecarboxylate

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

Colourless, odourless liquid

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

2001, first registered USA; 1998, first available Europe

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

Bayer
Lanxess Corp

Example products using this active

Bayrepel
Saltidin
Autan

Formulation and application details

Available in a variety of formulations including aerosol sprays, pump sprays and towelette wipes

Commercial production

Commercial production of icaridin involves a highly optimised chemical synthesis process developed to meet global demand for safe and effective insect repellents. The active ingredient is a piperidine derivative, and its synthesis typically starts with cyclohexane derivatives, which undergo a series of reactions including chlorination, etherification, and nitrile formation to build the final molecular structure.

Impact on climate of production and use

Data for the amount of life cycle GHGs produced by icaridin are not available in the public domain. However, whilst estimates vary, more general data suggests that between 14 and 19 kilograms of CO₂e is emitted per kilogram of insecticide produced.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

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

8200

High

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

Miscible

Propanol

Miscible

Ethanol

Melting point (°C)

-170

Freezing point

Boiling point (°C)

296

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

375

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

1.70 X 10⁰²

Calculated

Log P

2.23

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.04

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Not applicable

No dissociation

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

0.034

Low volatility

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

Stable

Note

Stable under normal environmental conditions

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)

Moderately mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

389

Notes and range

Estimated

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)

1.8

Whole fish

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)

2236

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

100

Rat

Moderate

(ppm diet)

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

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 5000

Colinus virginianus

Low

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)

173

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Low

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

50.1

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Low

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

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

100

Daphnia magna

Moderate

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

103

Daphnia magna

Low

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) (EC₅₀)

71.5

Desmodesmus subspicatus

Low

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

54.8

Desmodesmus subspicatus

Low

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)

2236

Rat

Low

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

5000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 4.36

Rat

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

Occupational exposure may occur through inhalation and dermal contact

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

The main route of excretion is urinary

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

US EPA - not likely to be a carcinogen

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Not explosive or oxidising

CLP classification 2013

Health: H319

WHO Classification

III (Slightly hazardous)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

icaridin

French

icaridin

German

Icaridin

Danish

icaridin

Italian

icaridin

Spanish

icaridin

Greek

Polish

ikarydyna

Swedish

icaridin

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	04/09/2025
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