When cotton plants were exposed to p2*_labeled trichlorfon, dimethyl- 
phosphate, monomethylphosphate, and inorganic phosphate were found. Some 
formaldehyde formed and give rise to CO, (633, 1044). 
Tests with microorganisms showed that Aspergillus niger, Pencillium 
notatum, and Fusarium sp. hydrolyzed trichlorfon. One compound was identi- 
fied as O0-methyl-2,2,2-trichloro-l-hydroxyethyl phosphonic acid. The 
other is believed to be 2,2,2-trichloro-l-hydroxyethyl phosphonic acid 
C1537,” 15.393... 
In acidic aqueous media, trichlorfon was hydrolyzed to dimethyl 
phosphate plus trichloroethanol and to methanol and desmethyl trichloxfon. 
At pH 5.@ and greater, DDVP formed spontaneously (993, 1015, 1696). 
(See also Butonate and DDVP). 


Q : Cr ; 
CH,0H CH, 0- eae 3 -Cl CH,0-P-OH 
ii *  &cu 
ae 
eal Pad Ove ae 
Q oH C1 cyan 
Hh La AH 
CH.0-P-CH-C-C1 CHO 04 OH 
du odd H { 
CH,O0H 4 ae 
3 H Cl pacar 
BOER yf ~Cl ceca 
HO-P~( zt Eas - 
OH GL Trichloroethanol 
2,2,2-Trichloro-l-hydroxy- 
ethyl phosphonic acid 
[ 
H-O 
Ke 1 
N\ 708 HO-CH \ n-o-cu,-t-c 
i ~ ve on 
H-0 
H 
CH-¢ 
™\ ot bu O 
HO- ox H-Q-P— 
- : OH - i. Trichloroethanol 
Nee at glucuronic acid 
H OH 
323 
