Photolysis of chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron-methyl in methanol

Photolysis of chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron-methyl was studied in methanol under UV light. Their rates of primary photolysis followed first-order kinetics. The main photoproducts were identified as 2-methoxy-4-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-6-amine, 2-chloro-benzenesulfonamide and methyl 2-(aminosulfonyl)benzoate, which entailed the cleavage of the two N–C ureic bonds. Further photolysis of benzenesulfonamide derivatives involved oxidation of −NH₂, cyclisation with loss of CH₃OH, and scission of the C–S bond A trace of methyl o-mercaptobenzoate was also detected. The corresponding photolysis pathways of chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron-methyl were tentatively proposed. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry