Photolytic degradation of the insecticide thiamethoxam in aqueous medium monitored by direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

J Mass Spectrom. 2007 Oct;42(10):1319-25. doi: 10.1002/jms.1204.

Abstract

Photodegradation of the insecticide thiamethoxam (1), 3-[(2-chloro-5-thiazolyl)methyl]tetrahydro-5-methyl-N-nitro-4H-1,3,5-oxadiazin-4-imine, in an aqueous medium was monitored by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in the positive ion mode, ESI(+)-MS. An aqueous solution of (1) was incessantly exposed to a UV radiation source and aliquots were taken after reaction times of 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. Analysis by GC/NCI-MS revealed that (1) was continuously degraded under these experimental conditions. However, the total organic carbon (TOC) content remained practically constant during the exposition period, thereby indicating that 1 was not mineralized but continuously converted into other compounds. ESI(+)-MS monitoring revealed that whereas the intensity of the ions of m/z 292/294 ([1 + H](+)) constantly decreased, there was the emergence of other ions of m/z 247/249, 197, 168, and 116 whose intensities simultaneously increased. Their structures were proposed on the basis of: (1) the data of their ESI(+)-MS/MS; (2) their high resolution m/z values; and (3) a plausible reactivity of the thiamethoxam molecule exposed to UV radiation in aqueous solution. Finally, these data allowed us to suggest a reaction route for the photodegradation of 1 in an aqueous medium.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Insecticides / chemistry*
  • Insecticides / radiation effects*
  • Neonicotinoids
  • Nitro Compounds / chemistry
  • Nitro Compounds / radiation effects*
  • Oxazines / chemistry
  • Oxazines / radiation effects*
  • Photochemistry
  • Photolysis
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / methods*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Thiamethoxam
  • Thiazoles / chemistry
  • Thiazoles / radiation effects*
  • Water

Substances

  • Insecticides
  • Neonicotinoids
  • Nitro Compounds
  • Oxazines
  • Thiazoles
  • Water
  • Thiamethoxam