Effect of temperature on chlorproguanil and proguanil hydrochloride solutions: a chemical stability study

Chlorproguanil and proguanil hydrochloride solutions in 0.5 M hydrochloric acid, water and 1 M ammonium hydroxide were subjected to different temperatures (22-80 degrees C) for 68 h. The decomposition rate constants for chlorproguanil ranged from 1.60 to 47.6 x 10(3) h-1 in acid, 3.5 to 18 x 10(3) h-1 in water and 3.87 to 32.5 x 10(3) h-1 in base, between 50 degrees C and 80 degrees C. The activation energy Ea was 96.5, 52.12 and 62.1 kJ mol-1 in acid, water and base respectively. The proguanil decomposition rate constant ranged from 1.72 to 18.5 x 10(3) h-1 in acid, 1.58 to 9.67 x 10(3) h-1 in water and 2.34 to 15.77 x 10(3) h-1 in base, between 50 degrees C and 80 degrees C, with Ea values of 54.7, 73.3 and 62.5 kJ mol-1. Three unidentified degradation products were separated in the acid solution for each of the compounds. Chlorproguanil and proguanil are stable (t1/2 values over 30 days and up to 287 days respectively) in acid, water and base at temperatures below 22 degrees C.