Metaldehyde
Chemical name	r-2, c-4, c-6, c-8-tetramethyl- 1,3,5,7-tetroxocane
Other names	2,4,6,8-tetramethyl-1,3,5,7- tetraoxocanemetacetaldehyde
Chemical formula	C8H16O4
Molecular mass	176.212 g/mol
CAS number	[108-62-3]
Density	1.27 g/cm3
Melting point	110-120 °C (sublimes)
Boiling point	246 °C
SMILES	CC1OC(C)OC(C)OC(C)O1
Disclaimer and references

Metaldehyde is a chemical that is commonly used as a pesticide against slugs and other gastropods. Chemically, metaldehyde is a cyclic polymer of acetaldehyde, with IUPAC name: r-2, c-4, c-6, c-8-tetramethyl-1,3,5,7-tetroxocane. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (707x707, 6 KB) Author: Bryn C (t/c) 02:54, 3 July 2006 (UTC) Software used: ChemOffice 2005 Adobe ImageReady/Photoshop CS2 I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... IUPAC nomenclature is a system of naming chemical compounds and of describing the science of chemistry in general. ... A chemical formula (also called molecular formula) is a concise way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound. ... The molecular mass (abbreviated MM) of a substance, called molecular weight and abbreviated as MW, is the mass of one molecule of that substance, relative to the unified atomic mass unit u (equal to 1/12 the mass of one atom of carbon-12). ... CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for chemical compounds, polymers, biological sequences, mixtures and alloys. ... Density (symbol: ρ - Greek: rho) is a measure of mass per volume. ... The melting point of a solid is the temperature at which it changes state from solid to liquid. ... The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which it can change its state from a liquid to a gas throughout the bulk of the liquid at a given pressure. ... The simplified molecular input line entry specification or SMILES is a specification for unambiguously describing the structure of chemical molecules using short ASCII strings. ... Image File history File links Metaldehyde-Space-filling. ... Image File history File links Metaldehyde-Ball-and-Stick-Animation. ... A cropduster spreading pesticide. ... Anatomy of a slug A slug from North Bend, WA Slugs are gastropod molluscs without shells or with very small internal shells, in contrast to snails, which have a prominent coiled shell. ... Subclass Subclass Eogastropoda     Patellogastropoda Subclass Orthogastropoda   Superorder Cocculiniformia   Superorder Hot Vent Taxa     Neomphaolida   Superorder Vetigastropoda   Superorder Neritaemorphi     Neritopsina   Superorder Caenogastropoda     Architaenioglossa     Sorbeoconcha   Superorder Heterobranchia     Heterostropha     Opisthobranchia     Pulmonata The gastropods, or univalves, are the largest and most successful class of mollusks, with 60,000-75,000 species, and second largest class... Polymer is a term used to describe large molecules consisting of repeating structural units, or monomers, connected by covalent chemical bonds. ... R-phrases , , S-phrases , , , Flash point −39 °C Autoignition temperature 185 °C RTECS number AB1925000 Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is an international non-governmental organization devoted to the advancement of chemistry. ...

It is sold under various trade names as a molluscicide, including Antimilice, Ariotox, Cekumeta, Deadline, Halizan, Limatox, Limeol, Meta, Metason, Mifaslug, Namekil, Slug Death, Slug Fest Colloidel 25, Slugit and Slug-Tox. Typically it is applied in the form of slug pellets which might include a protein bait, as well as dust foams. A trade name, also known as a trading name or a business name, is the legal name of a business, or the name which a business trades under for commercial purposes. ... Molluscicides are pesticides used to control molluscs, i. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin, showing coloured alpha helices. ...

Metaldehyde is classed as a ‘moderately hazardous’ pesticide by the World Health Organization and is toxic to all animals that ingest it. Metaldehyde is highly toxic by inhalation, moderately toxic by ingestion and slightly toxic by dermal absorption. There is widespread concern that there have been an unacceptable number of poisoning incidents, especially involving domestic pets, wild animals and birds.

Metaldehyde is also known to be carcinogenic in large quantities or through prolonged exposure.

Other uses

1. Metaldehyde is also used as a camping fuel. It may be purchased in a tablet form to be used in small stoves. It is sold under the trade name of "META" by Lonza Group of Switzerland.
2. Metaldehyde has been used in cloud seeding experiments, such as a project called “Experimental Seeding Tests," sponsored by the National Science Foundation at the University of Utah. The experiment was conducted during 1981-1982 and its stated purpose was to compare metaldehyde and silver iodide through airborne seeding tests in supercooled stratus clouds [1].

The logo of the National Science Foundation The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. ... The University of Utah (also The U or the U of U) is a public university in Salt Lake City, Utah. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Silver iodide (AgI) is a chemical compound used in photography, an antiseptic in medicine, rainmaking and cloud seeding. ... Stratus Opacus Uniformis This article is about the meteorological phenomenon. ...

See also

• Pest control of slugs

External links

• WHO/FAO Data sheet at inchem.org
• Solid Fuel Stoves - Metaldehyde mentioned

• Link page to external chemical sources.