Acephate Solution: Properties, Uses & Safety Guide

Acephate solution is a precisely formulated liquid preparation of the systemic organophosphate insecticide acephate, widely used as an analytical reference standard for pesticide residue research, environmental monitoring, and method development in analytical laboratories.

Chemical Name

Acephate (O,S-dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate)

CAS Number

30560-19-1

Molecular Formula

C₄H₁₀NO₃PS

Molecular Weight

183.17 g/mol

Product SKU

A109745

Primary Application

Pesticide residue analysis and environmental monitoring

Compound Class

Organophosphate insecticide

Chemical Identity and Physical Properties

Acephate (CAS 30560-19-1) is a systemic organophosphate insecticide with the molecular formula C₄H₁₀NO₃PS and a molecular weight of approximately 183.17 g/mol. Its IUPAC name is O,S-dimethyl acetylphosphoramidothioate. In its pure solid form, acephate appears as a white crystalline solid with a mild mercaptan-like odor. It is highly soluble in water and polar solvents such as acetone and methanol, which facilitates its formulation as ready-to-use solutions for analytical purposes.

The acephate solution offered by Aladdin Scientific (SKU: A109745) is a liquid preparation designed to deliver consistent concentration and purity for laboratory workflows. The high water solubility of acephate (reported to exceed 650 g/L at ambient temperature) makes aqueous and mixed-solvent solution formulations practical and stable for short-term laboratory use.

Laboratory Applications and Research Uses

Acephate solution is principally employed as an analytical reference standard in pesticide residue analysis. Regulatory agencies and food safety laboratories use certified acephate standards to validate and calibrate chromatographic methods, including HPLC, GC-MS, and LC-MS/MS, for the quantitative detection of acephate residues in food matrices, water samples, and soil extracts.

In biochemical research, acephate serves as a model organophosphate compound for studying acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition mechanisms. Because acephate is a weak direct inhibitor that undergoes metabolic conversion to the more potent metabolite methamidophos in biological systems, it is used in toxicological studies examining pro-insecticide bioactivation pathways. Environmental scientists also utilize acephate solutions to investigate pesticide fate, transport, and degradation kinetics in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Method development laboratories preparing for compliance with regulatory maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by bodies such as the EU, US EPA, or Codex Alimentarius Commission routinely require high-purity acephate reference solutions to construct calibration curves and perform spike-and-recovery validation experiments.

Safety, Handling, and Regulatory Considerations

Acephate is classified as a moderately toxic organophosphate compound. As an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, exposure can lead to cholinergic effects including excessive secretions, muscle fasciculations, and, at high doses, respiratory depression. Handlers must treat acephate solution as a hazardous chemical and follow institutional chemical hygiene plans accordingly.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) should include chemically resistant nitrile or neoprene gloves, safety goggles or a face shield, and a laboratory coat. Work with acephate solutions should be conducted in a well-ventilated fume hood to minimize inhalation exposure. In the event of skin contact, the affected area should be washed thoroughly with soap and water. Eye contact requires immediate irrigation with copious water for at least 15 minutes, with prompt medical attention.

From a regulatory standpoint, acephate is a registered pesticide subject to control in many jurisdictions. In the European Union, acephate is not approved under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, and its use as an active substance in plant protection products is prohibited. Researchers must ensure compliance with local import, storage, and disposal regulations. Waste solutions should be disposed of as hazardous chemical waste in accordance with applicable environmental regulations.

Storage, Stability, and Quality Assurance

Acephate is susceptible to hydrolysis under alkaline conditions and elevated temperatures. To preserve the integrity of the acephate solution, it should be stored in a tightly sealed container, away from heat, light, and moisture. Storage at 2–8 °C in a refrigerator designated for flammable or hazardous chemicals is generally recommended for solution formulations, unless the product label specifies otherwise.

Stability of acephate in solution is solvent-dependent. Solutions prepared in acetonitrile or methanol tend to be more stable than aqueous preparations over extended storage periods. Analysts should prepare working standards fresh from stock solutions and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which can compromise concentration accuracy. Always verify the certified concentration and expiry date on the product certificate of analysis (CoA) before use.

Aladdin Scientific's acephate solution (SKU: A109745) is manufactured and quality-controlled to meet the demands of analytical reference standard applications. Researchers should consult the product-specific CoA and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided with each lot for confirmed purity, solvent composition, concentration, and storage conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What is acephate solution used for in the laboratory?

Acephate solution is primarily used as an analytical reference standard for pesticide residue analysis by HPLC, GC-MS, and LC-MS/MS. It is also used in biochemical research to study acetylcholinesterase inhibition and in environmental studies investigating organophosphate fate and degradation.

How should acephate solution be stored to maintain stability?

Acephate solution should be stored in a tightly sealed container at 2–8 °C, protected from light, heat, and moisture. Acephate is susceptible to hydrolysis under alkaline conditions, so neutral or slightly acidic storage environments are preferable. Always consult the product-specific CoA and SDS for confirmed storage conditions.

What personal protective equipment is required when handling acephate solution?

Handlers should wear chemically resistant nitrile or neoprene gloves, safety goggles or a face shield, and a laboratory coat. All work with acephate solution should be performed inside a ventilated fume hood to minimize inhalation risk. Refer to the product SDS for full hazard and first-aid information.

Is acephate approved for use as a pesticide in the European Union?

No. Acephate is not approved as an active substance in plant protection products under EU Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. Researchers in the EU who use acephate solution for analytical or research purposes must ensure compliance with applicable national and EU regulations governing its import, handling, and disposal.

What is the relationship between acephate and methamidophos?

Acephate is a pro-insecticide that undergoes metabolic deacetylation in biological systems to produce methamidophos, a more potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. This bioactivation is central to acephate's insecticidal mechanism and is an important consideration in toxicological studies using acephate as a model compound.

References

1. Tomlin, C.D.S. (Ed.) The Pesticide Manual: A World Compendium, 16th ed.; British Crop Production Council: Alton, UK, 2012.
2. European Commission. EU Pesticides Database — Active Substances. Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/pesticides/eu-pesticides-database
3. US EPA. Acephate — Registration Review. Office of Pesticide Programs. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-reevaluation/acephate
4. Eto, M. Organophosphorus Pesticides: Organic and Biological Chemistry; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 1974.

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.