• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.124-129
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• 1994

The rate of hydrolysis of insecticidal $O,O-diethyl-{\alpha}-cyanobenzylideneamino-oxyphosphorothioate\;(Volaton^{\circledR})$ has been studied in 25% (v/v) aqueous dioxane. On the basis of solvent effect (pH 6.0; m=0.21, n=1.55, pH 12.0; m=0.42, n=3.14 & $|m|{\ll}|l|$), general base catalysis, hydrolysis product analysis, calculation of molecular orbital (MO) and rate equation, it may be concluded that the hydrolysis of Volaton proceeds through the $A_{AC}2$ mechanism via trigonal bipyramidal $(sp^3d^2)$ intermediate below pH 7.0, while above pH 9.0 the hydrolysis proceeds through the $B_{AC}2$ mechanism. Hydrolysis reactivity of Volaton depends on positive charge strength $(p{\gg}{\alpha}C_2)$ rather than steric hindrance. In the range between pH 7.0 and pH 9.0, these two reactions occur competitively.