Stability of Tribenuron-methyl - A Sulfonylurea Herbicide, in Different Solvents

The stability of tribenuron-methyl in five solvents at ambient temperature was investigated using high performance liquid chromatographic determination. It was found to be most unstable in methanol followed by benzene. After 6 h almost 50% and 35% degradations were observed in methanol and benzene, respectively. Whereas in acetone, dichloromethane and water more than 85% of it remained unchanged up to 6 hours. After 24 h, only 13.71% and 41% of initial concentration remained in methanol and benzene, respectively, whereas more than 80% of it remained as such in water, acetone and dichloromethane. Water, acetone and dichloromethane were found to be most suitable solvents for its analysis. Methyl-2- (amino sulfonyl) benzoate, 4-methoxy-6-methyl-2-methylamino-l, 3,5-triazine and saccharin were detected as transformation products.