Pyraclostrobin stands as a synthetic strobilurin fungicide, developed to help farmers and growers keep crops healthy against a wide spectrum of fungal diseases. Its reach extends across cereals, vegetables, fruit, and lawns. The active chemical falls under the big umbrella of agricultural chemistry, serving as both protector and risk when handled without proper awareness and equipment.
This compound takes the formal chemical name Methyl N-{2-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yloxy]methyl}phenyl}(N-methoxy)carbamate. Its molecular formula is C19H18ClN3O4, which matches a molecular weight right around 387.8 grams per mole. At the core, a chlorinated phenyl group sits linked to a pyrazole backbone, giving rise to specificity for fungal mitochondrial cells. The presence of both carbamate and ether units in the molecule elevates its chemical complexity, boosting efficacy against common plant pathogens.
Pyraclostrobin shows up in the lab as a solid, often in the form of a fine, off-white or light beige powder. Sometimes, it appears as small flakes or crystalline particles, dense and dry to the touch. Its density hovers close to 1.36 grams per cubic centimeter, with poor solubility in water at room temperature—less than 1 milligram per liter—yet it dissolves well in organic solvents such as acetone and methylene chloride. The melting point lands between 63 and 65 degrees Celsius, a range that supports stability at typical storage conditions but signals a need for temperature control during processing. The material’s volatility stays low, so it rarely gives off a smell or vapor except at high temperatures, reducing the risk of inhalation in most standard farm or lab settings.
Most commercial batches come as wettable powders or finely milled granules. These formats allow easy measurement and application, whether prepping a spray tank or dusting a seed-row. On rare occasions, technical-grade pyraclostrobin appears as pearl-like beads or even in crystalline chunks, though these forms need extra grinding before use. In manufactured fungicidal products, it gets suspended as a water-based solution, sometimes as a flowable liquid seat for transportation, storage, and calibrated use. Additives help the material dissolve and spread over plant leaves, overcoming the compound’s low natural solubility in water. Many fungicide sprays list the active ingredient concentration by weight—commonly measured in grams per liter for solutions, or percentage by mass in granular products.
A product like this calls for careful respect. While pyraclostrobin delivers proven value in crop yield and disease resistance, a spectrum of health and environmental concerns arise if it’s mishandled. The chemical causes moderate irritation if it contacts eyes or skin, and inhalation of dust poses steady risks for throat, lung, and sinus irritation. Long-term or repeated exposure—common among farm and plant workers who work day in and day out—can wear down immune resilience. Toxicity studies point to moderate hazard for aquatic life, stressing the need to keep run-off out of streams and ponds. Its toxicity to mammals stays lower than many older chemistries, but that underscores the importance of good practice rather than an excuse for shortcuts. Gloves, goggles, and respirators provide a strong defense during mixing or application, while proper storage in cool, ventilated, low-humidity rooms staves off unwanted chemical breakdown or accidental spills.
Pyraclostrobin moves across borders under the HS Code 2933.99, which categorizes heterocyclic compounds in international trade systems. For importers and distributors, this detail supports customs clearance and tariff calculations. The ingredient list for technical synthesis starts with organic precursors, processed with chlorinating agents and catalysts to forge the active molecule. Each batch demands high-purity inputs and strict quality checks, since contaminant trace levels affect both regulatory compliance and performance in the field. Every trader or handler faces inspection duties set by national and global pesticide regulations, which tie safe use, disposal, and residue monitoring to long-term approval.
Society pushes for higher crop yields but never at the price of environmental collapse or sickened workers. From personal experience spent with growers and technical advisors, the best answer has always meant integrating science-driven, well-documented, and measured steps into every use case. Protective equipment needs to fit the real work environment, and handlers need solid training—not just paper certificates—to keep dust and powder exposure away from lungs and skin. Water management stands front and center, as run-off from over-spraying or storm-driven seepage challenges both rivers and fish populations. Field records, matched to weather, soil type and timing, sharpen the decision of when to spray or shift toward lower-impact alternatives. Research carries on, looking to breed crops with natural fungal resistance, blending bio-based control with synthetic chemistry to keep food safe and plentiful. Policy cannot stay static. Stakeholders in farming, trade, and regulation all share a seat at the table, learning from data, mistakes, and new best practices.
Pyraclostrobin, C19H18ClN3O4, comes as a solid powder or water-dispersible liquid. Physical properties—density near 1.36 g/cm³, melting at about 64°C, low water solubility—require specialized storage and handling. The HS Code is 2933.99. Its structure gives broad, effective control of plant pathogens but demands attention to safe use, environmental protection, and regulatory oversight. For the future of crops and communities, science and practical wisdom both guide each step from warehouse shelf to field application.
