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Decoquinate
Last updated: 18/10/2025
(Not known by any other names)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Description
A quinoline veterinary drug for both antibiotic prophylaxis and therapy
Examples of veterinary uses
Used for the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis, mainly in calves and lambs
Examples of species treated
Cattle; Sheep; Goats; Birds and poultry
Approval status
VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)
Approved - usually available as a prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)
EU Regulatory approval status
Approved
Chemical structure
Isomerism
None
Chemical formula
C₂₄H₃₅NO₅
Canonical SMILES
CCCCCCCCCCOC1=C(C=C2C(=C1)C(=O)C(=CN2)C(=O)OCC)OCC
Isomeric SMILES
No data
International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)
JHAYEQICABJSTP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
International Chemical Identifier (InChI)
InChI=1S/C24H35NO5/c1-4-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-30-21-15-18-20(16-22(21)28-5-2)25-17-19(23(18)26)24(27)29-6-3/h15-17H,4-14H2,1-3H3,(H,25,26)
2D structure diagram/image available?
Yes
General status
Veterinary substance type
Coccidiostat, Antiparasitic, Medicinal drug, Feed additive
Substance groups
Quinoline
Minimum active substance purity
-
Known relevant impurities
-
Substance origin
Synthetic
Mode of action
Thought to disrupt electron transport in the mitochondrial cytochrome system of coccidia
Molecular targets
[Mitochondrial respiration, Inhibitor], [Electron transport, Inhibitor]
CAS RN
18507-89-6
EC number
242-389-1
CIPAC number
-
US EPA chemical code
-
PubChem CID
-
Therapeutic Class
Antiparasitic products, insecticides & repellents: Antiprotozoals
ATCvet Code
QP51AX14
Controlled Drug?
No
Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification
Allowed substance (Table 1: Bovine, Ovine)
Molecular mass
417.54
PIN (Preferred Identification Name)
-
IUPAC name
6-decoxy-7-ethoxy-4-oxo-1H-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester
CAS name
ethyl 6-decyloxy-7-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-3-quinolinate
Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under
UK Poisons List Order 1972 Rotterdam Convention Montreal Protocol
XNo
The Poisons List Order 1972
XNo
Rotterdam Convention
XNo
Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention OSPAR EU Water Framework Directive
XNo
Stockholm Convention
XNo
OSPAR
XNo
EU Water Framework Directive
Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards
-
Forever chemical
-
Other status information
-
Physical state
White or light yellow crystalline powder
Commercial
Property
Value
Availability status
Current
Introduction & key dates
Circa 1993, first registered in USA
Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically
  • Zoetis UK Ltd
  • Alpharma (Belgium) BVBA
  • Alpharma (Norway) AS
Example products using this active
  • Deccox Medicated Feedingstuff
Formulation and application details
Usually supplied as a medicated feed premix or feed additive
Commercial production
Decoquinate is synthesised through a multi-step chemical process designed to build its quinolone-based structure, commonly used as a coccidiostat in veterinary medicine. The synthesis begins with a diazonium coupling reaction, where an aniline diazonium salt is reacted with o-hydroxyphenetole to form a coupling product. This intermediate is then reduced using sodium hydrosulphite to yield 3-ethoxy-4-hydroxyaniline. Next, a condensation reaction is carried out with ethoxymethylene diethyl malonate, followed by etherification using bromodecane. The resulting compound undergoes high-temperature cyclisation, forming the core decoquinate structure.
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 at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)
0.122
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Low
Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Melting point (°C)
244
F4 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
4 = Verified data
 -
Boiling point (°C)
517.9
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Degradation point (°C)
- - -
Flashpoint (°C)
267.0
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C
P
6.31 X 1007 Calculated -
Log P
7.8
V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 High
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
Substance may enter the environment via the urine and faeces of treated animals or by leaching from spilt medicated feed.
Degradation
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)
DT₅₀ (typical)
110
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Persistent
DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₅₀ (field)
- - -
DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)
- - -
DT₉₀ (field)
- - -
Note
General literature gives soil DT₅₀ between 96 and 550 days depending on soil type
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
Kd (mL g⁻¹)
-
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
 Non-mobile
Koc (mL g⁻¹)
400000
Notes and range
Estimated
Freundlich
Kf (mL g⁻¹)
- - -
Kfoc (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
-3.27 Calculated Low leachability
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)
> 5000
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 Low
Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
75000
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Unknown species		 Low
Birds - Short term dietary LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)
- - -
Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹ dw soil)
> 1000
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Eisenia foetida		 Low
Soil micro-organisms
- - -
Collembola
Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)
- - -
Non-target plants
Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)
> 100
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
3 plant species tested		 -
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)
- - -
Beneficial insects (Butterflies)
Contact
- - -
Notes
-
Oral
- - -
Notes
-
Aquatic ecotoxicology
Property
Value
Source; quality score; and other information
Interpretation
Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)
> 0.016
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Oncorhynchus mykiss		 High
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)
> 0.034
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Daphnia magna		 High
Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)
0.035
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Daphnia magna		 Moderate
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)
16.3
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Chironomus riparius Larva		 Low
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)
0.00007
F3 F = U.S. EPA ECOTOX database / U.S. EPA pesticide fate database / Miscellaneous WHO documents / FAO data, IPCS INCHEM data (US EPA Databases Related to Pesticide Risk Assessment )
3 = Unverified data of known source
Raphidocelis subcapitata		 High
Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)
- - -
Mesocosm study data
NOEAEC mg l⁻¹
- - -
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)
> 5000
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets
3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat		 Low
Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)
- - -
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
Excreted via urine and faeces
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources
3 = Unverified data of known source
 -
Health issues
Specific human health issues (hazard-based)
Carcinogen
Genotoxic
Endocrine disruptor
XNo, known not to cause a problem
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database)
0 = No data
;
E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source)
3 = Negative
XNo, known not to cause a problem
Reproduction / development effects Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor Neurotoxicant
XNo, known not to cause a problem
XNo, known not to cause a problem
XNo, known not to cause a problem
Respiratory tract irritant Skin irritant Skin sensitiser
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
?Possibly, status not identified
 No data found
Eye irritant Phototoxicant  
?Possibly, status not identified
 No data found  
General human health issues
Inhalation of dust may cause shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, a sore throat
May cause gastrointestinal irritation
Handling issues
Property
Value and interpretation
General
Powdered material may form explosive dust-air mixtures
Hydrophobic
CLP classification 2013
Environment: H413
WHO Classification
Not listed (Not listed)
UN Number
-
Waste disposal & packaging
-
Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity
Stable when stored in a cool, dry place
TRANSLATIONS
Language
Name
English
decoquinate
French
-
German
-
Danish
-
Italian
-
Spanish
decoquinato
Greek
-
Polish
-
Swedish
-
Hungarian
-
Dutch
-
Norwegian
-
Record last updated: 18/10/2025
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

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