Chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry for the characterization of the degradation products of the photodegradation of amidosulfuron: an analytical approach

J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Jun 5;61(22):5271-8. doi: 10.1021/jf400133w. Epub 2013 May 22.

Abstract

Simulated sunlight irradiation causing degradation of amidosulfuron, a pyrimidinylsulfonylurea herbicide, has been investigated in aqueous solution. The main degradation products were followed up by ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography with a UV detector (UHPLC-UV) and identified by combining ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS). On the basis of the retrosynthetic analysis, the most identified degradation products were mainly due to the losses of methylsulfamic acid (CH₅NO₃S), sulfocarbamic acid (CH₃NO₅S), carbamic acid (CH₃NO₂), methyl(methylsulfonyl)sulfamic acid (C₂H₇NO₅S₂), N-methylmethanesulfonamide (C₂H₇NO₂S), and sulfonic acid (H₂SO₄) molecules. Accordingly, O and S-demethylation as well as hydroxylation processes were also observed. Sum formulas of the main degradation products were assigned, and a mechanical pathway is proposed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Cyclotrons
  • Drug Residues / analysis
  • Drug Residues / chemistry
  • Drug Residues / radiation effects
  • Drug Stability
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Herbicides / analysis
  • Herbicides / chemistry*
  • Herbicides / radiation effects
  • Hydroxylation / radiation effects
  • Methylation / radiation effects
  • Molecular Structure
  • Photolysis*
  • Pyrimidines / analysis
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry*
  • Pyrimidines / radiation effects
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Sulfonylurea Compounds / analysis
  • Sulfonylurea Compounds / chemistry*
  • Sulfonylurea Compounds / radiation effects
  • Sunlight* / adverse effects

Substances

  • Herbicides
  • Pyrimidines
  • Sulfonylurea Compounds
  • amidosulfuron