Premium
Mode of action of dipyridyl quaternary salts as herbicides
Author(s) -
Homer R. F.,
Mees G. C.,
Tomlinson T. E.
Publication year - 1960
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740110604
Subject(s) - chemistry , redox , radical , mode of action , organic chemistry , photochemistry , biochemistry
A specific type of herbicidal activity is shown by certain diquaternary salts of 2,2′‐, 2,4′‐ and 4,4′‐dipyridyl; the diquaternary salts of 2,3′‐ and 3,3′‐dipyridyl are devoid of this activity. The herbicidal compounds have redox properties, giving rise to stable water‐soluble free radicals by uptake of a single electron on reduction. A correlation exists between the redox potential of this reduction and the degree of herbicidal action. Evidence is presented that the compounds are normally reduced in green tissues by energy ultimately derived from light, but that as activity is also present in the dark, though at a reduced level, other reduction mechanisms are also possible.