Phenyl phosphorodiamidate is an

organophosphorus compound Organophosphorus chemistry is the scientific study of the synthesis and properties of organophosphorus compounds, which are organic compounds containing phosphorus. They are used primarily in pest control as an alternative to chlorinated hydrocarbo ...

with the formula C₆H₅OP(O)(NH₂)₂. A white solid, it is used as an inhibitor of

urease Ureases (), functionally, belong to the superfamily of amidohydrolases and phosphotriesterases. Ureases are found in numerous Bacteria, Archaea, fungi, algae, plants, and some invertebrates. Ureases are nickel-containing metalloenzymes of high ...

, an enzyme that accelerates the hydrolysis of

urea Urea, also called carbamide (because it is a diamide of carbonic acid), is an organic compound with chemical formula . This amide has two Amine, amino groups (–) joined by a carbonyl functional group (–C(=O)–). It is thus the simplest am ...

. In this way, phenyl phosphorodiamidate enhances the effectiveness of urea-based

fertilizer A fertilizer or fertiliser is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply plant nutrients. Fertilizers may be distinct from liming materials or other non-nutrient soil amendments. Man ...

s. It is a component of the technology of controlled release fertilizers. In terms of its molecular structure, phenyl phosphorodiamidate is a tetrahedral molecule structurally related to urea, hence its inhibitory function. It is a derivative of

phosphoryl chloride Phosphoryl chloride (commonly called phosphorus oxychloride) is a colourless liquid with the formula . It hydrolyses in moist air releasing phosphoric acid and fumes of hydrogen chloride. It is manufactured industrially on a large scale from phosp ...

References

{{Reflist Phosphoramides Soil improvers Fertilizers

See also

References