Promecarb (Ref: SN 34615)

Promecarb (Ref: SN 34615)	Last updated: 04/09/2025
(Also known as: SSI 0792)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An obsolete phenyl methylcarbamate insecticide

Examples of veterinary uses

Used topically for the control of flying and biting insects

Examples of species treated

Cattle; Horses

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Not approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

C₁₂H₁₇NO₂

Canonical SMILES

CC1=CC(=CC(=C1)OC(=O)NC)C(C)C

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

DTAPQAJKAFRNJB-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C12H17NO2/c1-8(2)10-5-9(3)6-11(7-10)15-12(14)13-4/h5-8H,1-4H3,(H,13,14)

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Insecticide

Substance groups

Carbamate insecticide; Phenyl methylcarbamate insecticide

Minimum active substance purity

>97%

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Systemic. Rapid knock down with contact and stomach action. Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitor.

Molecular targets

[Cholinesterase, Inhibitor]

CAS RN

2631-37-0

EC number

220-113-0

CIPAC number

None allocated

US EPA chemical code

271400

PubChem CID

17516

CLP index number

No data found

Therapeutic Class

ATCvet Code

None allocated

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

207.3

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

5-methyl-m-cumenyl methylcarbamate

CAS name

3-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)phenyl methylcarbamate

Forever chemical

Other status information

Marine Pollutant

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

Colourless crystalline solid

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Considered obsolete but may be available in some countries

Introduction & key dates

1965, first reported

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

AgrEvo
Schering AG

Example products using this active

Carbamult
Minacide
Morton EP

Formulation and application details

Often supplied as emulsifiable concentrates or wettable powder

Commercial production

Promecarb is synthesised through a straightforward esterification process involving 3-isopropyl-5-methylphenol and methyl isocyanate. The phenol derivative, which serves as the aromatic backbone, is first prepared via alkylation of a methylphenol compound with isopropyl halide under basic conditions. Once the substituted phenol is obtained, it undergoes a nucleophilic reaction with methyl isocyanate, forming the methylcarbamate ester linkage that defines promecarb’s insecticidal activity. This reaction typically occurs in an inert solvent like toluene or acetonitrile, under controlled temperature and pH to ensure selectivity and minimize side reactions.

Impact on climate of production and use

Data for the amount of life cycle GHGs produced by promecarb 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)

Moderate

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 10⁰³

Calculated

Log P

3.1

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Low volatility. If applied directly to plants or soil, drift is a concern & mitigation is advisable

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

9.10 X 10^-03

Non-volatile

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)

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

Non-persistent

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Best available data

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

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

Value

103

Persistent

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)

Moderately mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

300

Notes and range

Other sources: 2000 mL g⁻¹ (DW3)

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

2.20

Calculated

Transition state

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

Estimated

Low potential

CT₅₀ (days)

Not available

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 23

Mouse

High

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)

Phasianidae

High

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

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

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

> 8.81

Eisenia foetida

High

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)

1.1

Moderate

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)

0.31

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

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)

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)

Low (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 23

Mouse

High

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

450

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.16

Rat 4 hr

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 eliminated in urine

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

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Toxic is swallowed
Possible liver and kidney toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Incompatible with alkaline substances
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6,1

CLP classification 2013

Health: H301
Environment: H400, H410

WHO Classification

Not classified: Obsolete (Not classified: Obsolete)

UN Number

UN2757

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

promecarb

French

promecarbe

German

Promecarb

Danish

promecarb

Italian

promecarb

Spanish

promecarb

Greek

promecarb

Polish

promekarb

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

promecarb

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