The thermal decomposition of dimethoate

The thermal decomposition of dimethoate, an organophosphorus pesticide, has been studied with the aim at assessing the reaction kinetics, the energy r eleased during the process and the decomposition products. Dimethoate shows a marked tendency to undergo thermal decomposition at temperature higher t han 369 K. A moderate pressure increase has been recorded at the end of all runs. Many thiophosphoric compounds have been identified among the decompo sition products. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.