Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 9, 2026

Simazine

Simazine is an herbicide of the triazine class. The compound is used to control broad-leaved weeds and annual grasses.

Last revised
Jun 9, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
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356 w
Citations
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Source
Simazine
Skeletal formula of simazine
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Space-filling model of simazine
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Names
Preferred IUPAC name
6-Chloro-N2,N4-diethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.004.124
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C7H12ClN5/c1-3-9-6-11-5(8)12-7(13-6)10-4-2/h3-4H2,1-2H3,(H2,9,10,11,12,13) checkY
    Key: ODCWYMIRDDJXKW-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C7H12ClN5/c1-3-9-6-11-5(8)12-7(13-6)10-4-2/h3-4H2,1-2H3,(H2,9,10,11,12,13)
    Key: ODCWYMIRDDJXKW-UHFFFAOYAN
  • Clc1nc(nc(n1)NCC)NCC
Properties
C7H12ClN5
Molar mass 201.66 g·mol−1
Appearance White crystalline powder
Density 1.3 g/cm3
Melting point 225–227 °C (437–441 °F; 498–500 K)
5 mg/L
Solubility in other solvents Soluble in methanol, chloroform, and diethyl ether; slightly soluble in pentane
log P 1.9600
Vapor pressure 0.000810 mPa at 20 °C
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Simazine is an herbicide of the triazine class. The compound is used to control broad-leaved weeds and annual grasses.

Simazine's HRAC classification is Group C1, Group C (global, Aus), Group 5 (numeric), as it inhibits photosynthesis at photosystem II.1

Preparation

Simazine may be prepared from cyanuric chloride and a concentrated solution of ethyl amine (at least 50 percent by number) in water.2 The reaction is highly exothermic and is therefore best carried out below 10 °C.

Cyanuric chloride decomposes at high temperatures into hydrogen chloride and hydrogen cyanide, both of which are highly toxic by inhalation.

Properties and uses

Simazine is an off-white crystalline compound which is sparingly soluble in water. It is a member of the triazine-derivative herbicides, and was widely used as a residual non-selective herbicide, but is now banned in European Union states.3 Like atrazine, a related triazine herbicide, it acts by inhibiting photosynthesis. It remains active in the soil for two to seven months or longer after application.

See also

See also

References

References

External links