Synthesis of C-13-labeled atrazine.

Atrazine is a long-lasting herbicide that has been shown to affect hormone levels in amphibians. Using the C-13 labeled atrazine to detect its residue is effective and essential. This study presents three steps for the synthesis of [(13) C3 ]atrazine, which starts from [(13) C]urea, and results in the incorporation of C-13 atoms at the 1, 3 and 5 positions of the S-triazine ring of atrazine. The method prepares the product in an overall yield of 57.6% and chemical purity of 98.6%, for use as an internal standard.