Rotenone (Ref: ENT 133)

Rotenone (Ref: ENT 133)	Last updated: 15/09/2025
(Also known as: derris root; derris; haiari; barbasco; aker-root)

SUMMARY

A naturally occurring chemical with multiple crop protection applications. It is moderately toxic. It is not environmentally persistent degrading in soil in a few days. It is not expected to leach from soil or contaminate groundwaters. It is highly toxic to all aquatic organisms, earthworms and to honeybees.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An isoflavone compound used as a broad-spectrum insecticide

Examples of veterinary uses

Used to control a variety of insect pests including parasitic mites, fleas, ticks and mites

Examples of species treated

Dogs; Cats; Fowl; Poultry

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Not approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Rotenone exhibits stereoisomerism due to the presence of multiple chiral centres in its complex fused-ring structure. The molecule contains a 5′-isopropenyl group that can exist in either the alpha- or beta-configuration, leading to different stereoisomers such as rotenone (5′beta-rotenone), epirotenone (5′beta-epirotenone), and their respective antipodes.

Chemical formula

C₂₃H₂₂O₆

Canonical SMILES

CC(=C)C1CC2=C(O1)C=CC3=C2OC4COC5=CC(=C(C=C5C4C3=O)OC)OC

Isomeric SMILES

CC(=C)[C@H]1CC2=C(O1)C=CC3=C2O[C@@H]4COC5=CC(=C(C=C5[C@@H]4C3=O)OC)OC

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

JUVIOZPCNVVQFO-HBGVWJBISA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C23H22O6/c1-11(2)16-8-14-15(28-16)6-5-12-22(24)21-13-7-18(25-3)19(26-4)9-17(13)27-10-20(21)29-23(12)14/h5-7,9,16,20-21H,1,8,10H2,2-4H3/t16-,20-,21+/m1/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
rotenone	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Insecticide, Antiparasitic

Substance groups

Plant-derived substance

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Selective, non-systemic with contact and stomach action. Mitochondrial complex I electron transport inhibitor.

Molecular targets

[Complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC), Inhibitor], [Mitosis, Inhibitor]

CAS RN

83-79-4

EC number

201-501-9

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

071003

PubChem CID

Therapeutic Class

ATCvet Code

None allocated

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

394.42

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(2R,6aS,12aS)-1,2,6,6a,12,12a-hexahydro-2-isopropenyl-8,9-dimethoxychromeno[3,4-b]furo[2,3-h]chromen-6-one

CAS name

(2R,6aS,12aS)-1,2,12,12a-tetrahydro-8,9-dimethoxy-2-(1-methylethenyl)(1)benzopyrano(3,4-b)furo(2,3-h)(1)benzopyran-6(6aH)-one

Forever chemical

Other status information

Marine Pollutant; Chemical subject to PIC regulations; PAN listed Highly Hazardous Chemical

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White powder

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

Circa 1935, introduced; 2008, withdrawn EU

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

Prentiss Incorporated
Vipesco
Nantong Shenyu Green Medicine Co. Ltd.

Example products using this active

Derris
Cube
Timbo
Barbasco
Nekoe
Prentox Cube Powder
Vironone

Formulation and application details

Usually formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate or dust

Commercial production

The commercial production of rotenone primarily involves extraction from the roots and stems of certain tropical and subtropical leguminous plants, such as Derris, Lonchocarpus and Tephrosia species. These plants are cultivated, harvested and prepared for extraction. The extraction process typically uses organic solvents like ethanol or chloroform to isolate rotenone from the plant material. After extraction, the compound is purified through crystallisation or chromatography to obtain a concentrated form suitable for use.

Impact on climate of production and use

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

15.0

Moderate

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

Melting point (°C)

163

Boiling point (°C)

215

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

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

1.45 X 10⁰⁴

Calculated

Log P

4.16

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

0.67

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

1.0

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)

1.13 X 10^-08

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)

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

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

1.3

Non-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)

Non-mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

10000

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

0.00

Calculated

Low leachability

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

Lepomis macrochirus

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)

> 132

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

Dog

High

(ppm diet)

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

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 2600

Anas platyrhynchos

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)

> 150

Eisenia foetida

Moderate

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)

> 0.24

Apis mellifera

High

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

> 12

Apis mellifera

Moderate

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)

> 0.68

Bombus terrestris 72 hr

High

Literature LD₅₀ values range 0.17-0.97 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) as Mortality, Contact LD₅₀ g l⁻¹

> 6.5

Chrysoperla carnea Larva

Moderate

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Harmful

Aphidius rhopalosiphi

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Moderately harmful

Typhlodromus pyri

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)

0.0019

Oncorhynchus mykiss

High

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

0.0012

Oncorhynchus mykiss 32 day LOEC

High

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

0.011

Danio rerio Embryo

High

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

0.004

Daphnia magna

High

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

0.001

Daphnia magna

High

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)

0.0057

Unknown species

High

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)

> 132

Rat

Moderate

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

5000

Rabbit

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

0.019

Rat

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Intravenous LD₅₀ = 0.20 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ = 20.0 mg kg⁻¹

Rabbit

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

Around 20% of the administered dose is rapidly eliminated within 24 hrs in urine

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

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

Moderately toxic

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

IMDG Transport Hazard Classr 6.1

CLP classification 2013

Health: H301, H315, H319, H335
Environment: H400, H410

WHO Classification

II (Moderately hazardous)

UN Number

UN2811

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group III (minor danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

rotenone

French

rotenone

German

Rotenon

Danish

rotenon

Italian

rotenone

Spanish

rotenona

Greek

Polish

rotenon

Swedish

rotenon

Hungarian

Dutch

rotenon

Norwegian

Record last updated:	15/09/2025
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