Carbofuran (CAS 1563-66-2)

Carbofuran is a AChE and BChE (cholinesterase) inhibitor. Carbofuran, an odorless white crystalline solid, is a carbamate insecticide that effectively inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in both insects and mammals. However, despite its efficacy against insects, carbofuran poses risks to birds, rats, dogs, sheep, cattle, and other mammals, making it an environmental toxin. Consequently, formulations containing carbofuran have been employed in agriculture to control insects, nematodes, mites, and ticks. Belonging to the N-methylcarbamate class of chemicals, carbofuran acts as a cholinesterase enzyme activity inhibitor, providing effective control over soil-dwelling and foliar-feeding insects on agricultural crops. Chemically, carbofuran is classified as a coumaran, containing the coumaran skeleton consisting of a benzene ring fused to a 2,3-dihydrofuran ring. It is considered practically insoluble in water and relatively neutral. Inside the cell, carbofuran predominantly resides in the cytoplasm, representing a potentially toxic compound. Being a carbamate ester and a member of 1-benzofurans, carbofuran serves as an EC 3.1.1.7 (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitor, a carbamate insecticide, an EC 3.1.1.8 (cholinesterase) inhibitor, an acaricide, an agrochemical, an avicide, and a nematicide. It is also known by alternative names such as furadan or NEX.