Functions of Phosphorus Moiety in Agrochemical Molecules

Abstract

Organophosphorus (OP) compounds have a great variety of biological activities. The functions of the phosphorus moiety in OP agrochemicals may be classified as follows; 1) the principal of phosphorylation; 2) the leaving group in alkylation; 3) a building block to maintain the Shape or physical properties of an active molecule; 4) the analog of a carboxyl group or its tetrahedral transition state in enzyme reactions; 5) a moiety of anti-metabolites mimicking physiological phosphates; 6) a carrier or protective group making a prodrug that produces an active principle after biotransformation; and 7) other unknown functions including as stressors. To have a definite, selective biological activity, the OP molecule should have a specified structure suitable in biodynamic, biokinetic, and environmental aspects.