Clay-catalyzed nitration of a carbamate fungicide diethofencarb.

The unique nitration of the carbamate fungicide diethofencarb (Powmyl, isopropyl 3,4-diethoxycarbanilate) was examined in 14 Japanese soils and three types of clays under the aerobic conditions using the (14)C-labeled compound. Nitration at the 6-position of the 3,4-diethoxyphenyl ring was a clay-catalyzed reaction and extremely enhanced under the dry conditions. Kinetic and product analysis on nitration of nine (14)C-labeled carbamate analogues in the kaolinite thin layer showed the nitration proceeding electrophilically. Requirement of molecular oxygen and retardation of nitration by radical scavengers and spin-trap reagents together with semiempirical AM1 molecular orbital calculations strongly suggested contribution of a radical mechanism, and these different speculations on the reaction mechanism might originate from the heterogeneous reaction environment on clay.