19F-NMR as an analytical tool for fluorinated agrochemical research

19F NMR was utilized to monitor the photodegradation of trifluralin directly in NMR tubes without extraction, cleanup, concentration, or chromatographic separation. Dissipation curves were generated for the parent pesticide and degradation products, and the major products identified by addition of authentic standards were alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-p-toluidine (II), alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p- toluidine (III), and 2-ethyl-7-nitro-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzimidazole (VII). Numerous peaks were observed in the spectra that may represent labile intermediates not generally observed with other analytical techniques