Probing the enantioselectivity of chiral pesticides

Abstract

As much as 25% of the pesticides in use are chiral, but the compounds are typically supplied as racemic mixtures. While one enantiomer may have the desired effect on a target species, the other enantiomer or enantiomers may not. Moreover, the various chiral forms could have different toxicities, degradation rates, and environmental effects. Therefore, a comprehensive risk assessment requires determining the enantiomer selectivity of these pesticides.