Physico-chemical properties of substances used as molluscicides. Hydrolysis of N-tritylmorpholine (Shell WL 8008).

Under field conditions molluscicides can undergo hydrolysis to compounds that have no molluscicidal action. In a continuation of laboratory studies on hydrolysis, investigations have been made on N-tritylmorpholine (Shell WL 8008). The rate of hydrolysis increases with decreasing pH, being rapid below pH 7. An emulsion prepared from an emulsifiable concentrate was found to be much more stable than an aqueous solution of the compound, presumably because of the protective effect of oil droplets. The stability of the compound as a wheat-germ bait was also studied; there was about a 10% decrease in concentration in 22 hours. The portion that dissolved in the water was almost completely hydrolysed, whereas that remaining in the bait was much less so.