ethoprophos

Ethoprophos (or ethoprop) is an organophosphate ester with the formula C8H19O2PS2. It is a clear yellow to colourless liquid that has a characteristic mercaptan-like odour. It is used as an insecticide and nematicide and it is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

== Synthesis == Ethoprop can be synthesised by reacting phosphoryl chloride with two equivalents of n-propylmercaptan and one equivalent of sodium ethoxide. A second pathway is reacting n-propylmercaptan and sodium ethoxide with phosphorus trichloride to yield ethoxy-bis(propylsulfanyl)phosphane, which can then be oxidized by hydrogen peroxide to yield the product. thumb|299x299px|Two syntheses of ethoprop. The only difference is the order in which the alkyl groups are attached|alt=|left thumb|500x500px|A different synthesis of ethoprop starting from phosphorus trichloride|alt=|left