Acetochlor is manufactured in two steps from 2-ethyl-6-methylaniline. A reaction with chloroacetyl chloride gives an anilide which is treated with chloromethyl ethyl ether and sodium hydroxide to form the herbicide.[3]
In the United States, acetochlor was registered by the EPA as a direct substitute for many herbicides of known concern. The EPA imposed several restrictions and conditions on the use of acetochlor.[4]
It is approved for pre-emergence application or for pre-planting application with soil incorporation, in corn. (maize) at 5 litres / hectare (1835g / hectare of a.i.)[5] It is the main active ingredient in Acenit, Keystone, Guardian, Harness, Relay, Sacemid, Surpass, Top-Hand, Trophy and Winner.
It is used to control weedsincorn, and is particularly useful as a replacement for atrazine in the case of some important weeds.
Acetochlor has been classified as a probable human carcinogen.[1][4] Acetochlor, as alachlor, can cause nasal turbinate tumors via the generation of a common tissue reactive metabolite that leads to cytotoxicity and regenerative proliferation in the nasal epithelium.[6]
Human health effects from acetochlor at low environmental doses or at biomonitored levels from low environmental exposures are unknown.[8] A case of poisoning with extremely swollen genitals as a symptom was reported after contact.[9]
^Arregui, M.; Sánchez, D.; Althaus, R.; Scotta, R.; Bertolaccini, I. (2010). "Assessing the risk of pesticide environmental impact in several Argentinian cropping systems with a fuzzy expert indicator". Pest Management Science. 66 (7): 736–740. doi:10.1002/ps.1935. PMID20232283.
