Thermal Decomposition of Triazine Herbicides II. 6-Chloro-N2-ethyl-N4-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (atrazine) and its metabolites

Thermal degradation of atrazine and its metabolites has been investigated using a thermogravimetric technique(TG) with the application of three types of crucibles: opened, Knudsen type and labyrinthtype, and non-isothermal DSC method, using hermetically closed and opened alumina sample pans. The great influence of decomposition conditions (the crucible type) on thermal degradation was observed. TG analysis showed that the degradation process of atrazine took place in three stages. The increase of amino groups in triazine ring increases the amount of non-volatile thermal degradation products by association. The presence of chlorine substituent facilitates the forming of products with low volatility. Hydroxyatrazine decomposes only in one stage process. The dealkylation process observed in hermetical sample pans (DSC) was two-stage and in open sample pans one-stage process.