Metabolism and Translocation of N'-(4-Chloro-o-tolyl)-N, N-Dimethylformamidine (Chlorphenamidine) and Its Hydrochloride Salt In Grapefruit Seedlings1

Abstract

The metabolism of chlorphenamidine-14C and its hydrochloride salt was studied following topical application to the leaves of growing grapefruit seedlings. The concentration of either compound in and on leaves 20 days after treatment did not exceed 1% of the applied radioactivity. Radioactive metabolites characterized from the leaves included N' -(4-chloro- o -tolyl)- N -methylformamidine (demethylchlorphenamidine), N -formyl-4-chloro- o -toluidine, and 4-chloro- o -toluidine. Translocation studies revealed that chlorphenamidine and chlorphenamidine hydrochloride diffused extensively throughout treated leaf tissue 8 days after topical application to various sections of grapefruit leaves. Although translocation of the compounds into the leaves after stern injection was observed, there was only slight acropetal movement of chlorphenamidine hydrochloride following topical treatment of 2 basal grapefruit leaves.