CompoundList
Sign in
Insecticides and acaricides

Parathion

Also known as ethyl parathion, Parathion-ethyl, Thiophos

CAS 56-38-2Formula C10H14NO5PSMolar mass 291.27 g/molEC 200-271-7
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Acute toxicity (severe), Serious health hazard, Hazardous to the environment Controlled, licensed buyers only
Request as a licensed buyer Safety data
Parathion chemical structure, C10H14NO5PS, CAS 56-38-2
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
The pure material is a yellowish liquid at temperatures above 6 °C
Melting point
6.1 °C
Boiling point
375 °C
Density
Relative density (water = 1): 1.26
Flash point
120 to 160
HS code
292011
Category
Insecticides and acaricides
UN number
UN 3018

What is Parathion?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Parathion is an organothiophosphate insecticide, a C-nitro compound and an organic thiophosphate. It has a role as an acaricide, an agrochemical, an avicide, an EC 3.1.1.8 (cholinesterase) inhibitor, an EC 3.1.1.7 (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitor and a mouse metabolite. It is functionally related to a 4-nitrophenol.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
diethoxy-(4-nitrophenoxy)-sulfanylidene-λ5-phosphane
CAS number
56-38-2 CAS number cross-checked
EC number
200-271-7
Molecular formula
C10H14NO5PS
UNII
61G466064D
InChIKey
LCCNCVORNKJIRZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C10H14NO5PS/c1-3-14-17(18,15-4-2)16-10-7-5-9(6-8-10)11(12)13/h5-8H,3-4H2,1-2H3
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
CCOP(=S)(OCC)OC1=CC=C(C=C1)[N+](=O)[O-]

Synonyms

  • ethyl parathion
  • Parathion-ethyl
  • Thiophos
  • alkron
  • Paraphos
  • danthion
  • phosphostigmine
  • stathion
  • Aphamite
  • Fosferno
  • Rhodiatox
  • Alleron
  • Etilon
  • Folidol
  • Parawet
  • Phoskil
  • Niran
  • corothion
  • corthione
  • fosfive
  • fosova
  • gearphos
  • genithion
  • kolphos
  • kypthion
Show all 39 synonyms
  • lirothion
  • murfos
  • nourithion
  • oleoparaphene
  • oleoparathion
  • panthion
  • parathene
  • pethion
  • phosphemol
  • phosphenol
  • rhodiasol
  • strathion
  • tiofos
  • vapophos

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
The pure material is a yellowish liquid at temperatures above 6 °Cexp.
Odour
Usually has a faint odorexp.
Melting point
6.1 °Cexp.
Boiling point
375 °Cexp.
Density
Relative density (water = 1): 1.26exp.
Flash point
120 to 160exp.
Solubility
11 mg/l @ 20 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
6.68 × 10⁻⁶ mm Hg @ 20 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
291.27 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
291.033 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
3.27calc.
Topological polar surface area
70.83 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
6calc.
Rotatable bonds
7calc.
Heavy atoms
18calc.
Rings
1calc.
Aromatic rings
1calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.4calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, c1ccccc1

c1ccccc1

1 ring, 6 atoms, the Benzene ring system.

485,677 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS06: Acute toxicity (severe)
Acute toxicity (severe)
GHS08: Serious health hazard
Serious health hazard
GHS09: Hazardous to the environment
Hazardous to the environment

Hazard statements

  • H300Fatal if swallowed.
  • H311Toxic in contact with skin.
  • H330Fatal if inhaled.
  • H372Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
  • H400Very toxic to aquatic life.
  • H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements (21)
  • P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P262Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P273Avoid release to the environment.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P284In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
  • P301 + P316If swallowed: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P320Specific treatment is urgent (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P361 + P364Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P391Collect spillage.
  • P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 3018
Transport hazard class
6.1
Packing group
I

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Parathion suppliers

Controlled substance, listings of documented suppliers only, in the documented ranking

Pic

Parathion is controlled. Only documented suppliers can list it, and buyers must upload a valid licence with their request. Every request is reviewed before suppliers see it.

Licensed buyers only, every enquiry is reviewed by our compliance team.

Reference: Rotterdam Convention Annex III prior informed consent chemical, HS 2022 subheading 2920.11 (parathion and methyl parathion)

Our policy on controlled substances
No documented supplier lists it yet

Licensed buyers can post a request for Parathion with their licence. Our compliance team reviews it before suppliers see it.

Request as a licensed buyer

Parathion price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

No published prices right now

Suppliers quote this chemical on request. Send one free request and compare quotes side by side.

Get latest price

Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Parathion controls a variety of insects such as aphids, mites, beetles, Lepidoptera, leaf hoppers, leafminers, and other pests found on fruits, cotton, vegetables, and forage crops. It also controls several soil insects such as wireworms, rootworms, and symphilids.

Used for control of nematodes in beet & ornamentals.

Non-systemic insecticide and acaricide, used for the control of sucking and chewing insects (including soil insects) and mites in a very wide range of crops.

Parathion is primarily used as an insecticide on fruit, cotton, wheat, vegetables, and nut crops.

Use classes: Insecticides, Acaricides, Insecticides.

Pharmacological actions

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Insecticides

Roles

  • acaricide
  • agrochemical
  • animal metabolite
  • avicide
  • enzyme inhibitor
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • mammalian metabolite
  • metabolite
  • mouse metabolite
  • pesticide

Functional uses

  • Biocide

Pharmacology

Parathion is a synthetic organic thiophosphate compound and organophosphate acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that is used as a pesticide. It is characterized as a deep brown to yellow liquid with a faint garlic odor, and exposure occurs by inhalation, ingestion, or contact.

How it is made

Parathion ... (Is) prepared by the reaction of diethyl ... Phosphorochloridothioate with sodium p-nitrophenate.

In the 1st step, ethyl dithiophiosphone acid ... (is) prepared by reacting ... anhydrous ethyl alcohol with ... phosphorous pentasulfide. ... The chlorination step follows & may use elemental chlorine, sulfur monochloride or sulfur dichloride. ... A production & waste schematic for the overall process of parathion manufacture (for a typical plant producing 20,000 tons per year) is. ...

Read more

(described by) Gruber GI (TRW Systems Group), Report EPA/530/SW-118c, Washington, DC, USEPA (April 1975). To ... thiophosphoryl chloride ... an approx 20% soln of sodium ethylate in ethyl alcohol (is added). ... To this mixture ... p-nitrophenol ... (was added) & to this resulting solution was added. ... Approx 20% soln of sodium ethylate in ethyl alcohol ... water (is added to the reaction mixture) in order to dissolve sodium chloride & to separate the O,O-diethyl O-p-nitrophenyl thiophosphate from the residual alcohol.

Original prepn: Thurston, FIAT Report 949 (1946), Coates, Topley, BIOS Final Report 1808 (1947). See also Fletcher et al., J Am Chem Soc 70, 3943 (1948).

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Pic

Parathion is controlled. Only documented suppliers can list it, and buyers must upload a valid licence with their request. Every request is reviewed before suppliers see it.

Licensed buyers only, every enquiry is reviewed by our compliance team.

Reference: Rotterdam Convention Annex III prior informed consent chemical, HS 2022 subheading 2920.11 (parathion and methyl parathion)

Our policy on controlled substances

Europe

  • EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)
    Index no: 015-034-00-1

Health and food

  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II, prohibited in cosmetics
    Name: O,O'-Diethyl-O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate (Parathion - ISO), Ref no: 131, Annex ref: II/131

Other lists

  • Other regulatory list

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Parathion is traded under.

HS 2920.11Exact HS code

Parathion (ISO) and parathion-methyl (ISO) (methyl-parathion)

World exports in 2024
$1.33M
+131% vs 2023, imports $2.39M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. United States58.4%
  2. Netherlands36.4%
  3. Germany2.5%
Top importers
  1. South Africa52.4%
  2. Trinidad and Tobago * partner reported32.0%
  3. Italy5.8%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Parathion is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Parathion, based on the data on this page

What is Parathion?

Parathion is an organothiophosphate insecticide, a C-nitro compound and an organic thiophosphate. It has a role as an acaricide, an agrochemical, an avicide, an EC 3.1.1.8 (cholinesterase) inhibitor, an EC 3.1.1.7 (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitor and a mouse metabolite. It is functionally related to a 4-nitrophenol.

What is the CAS number of Parathion?

The CAS registry number of Parathion is 56-38-2.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Parathion?

The molecular formula of Parathion is C10H14NO5PS and its molar mass is 291.27 g/mol.

What is Parathion used for?

Parathion controls a variety of insects such as aphids, mites, beetles, Lepidoptera, leaf hoppers, leafminers, and other pests found on fruits, cotton, vegetables, and forage crops. It also controls several soil insects such as wireworms, rootworms, and symphilids. Used for control of nematodes in beet & ornamentals.

Is Parathion hazardous?

Parathion carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: fatal if swallowed, toxic in contact with skin, fatal if inhaled. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Parathion?

Parathion is usually classified under HS code 292011 (Parathion (ISO) and parathion-methyl (ISO) (methyl-parathion)). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Can I buy Parathion on CompoundList?

Parathion is a controlled substance. Only documented suppliers can list it, and buyers must upload a valid licence with their request. Every request is reviewed by our compliance team before suppliers see it.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Parathion

Request as a licensed buyer

Upload your licence with the request. Our compliance team reviews it before the documented suppliers see it.
Request as a licensed buyer
Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
Embed this structure on your websiteShow code

Paste this code into your page to show the 2D structure of Parathion with a 3D view, its CAS number where known and a link back to this page. Free to use with the link kept.

<iframe src="https://www.compoundlist.com/embed/structure/parathion-56-38-2" title="Parathion structure on CompoundList" width="360" height="420" style="border:1px solid #E7E2DA;border-radius:12px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe>
Preview the embed

Explore more in Insecticides and acaricides or HS code 292011

Price on request
Free quotes, contact stays private
Licensed request