Rotenone Health and Safety Guide - Health and Safety Guide 73

Rotenone is a naturally occurring chemical with insecticidal and piscicidal properties obtained from the roots of several tropical and subtropical plant species belonging to genus Lonchcarpus or Derris. Rotenone is a colourless, crystalhne solid with a melting point of 165-166 °C and has a very low soluhility in water at ambient temperatures. It is soluble in acetone, carbon disulfide, ethyl acetate, and chloroform. It is less soluble in ether, carbon tetrachloride, and petroleum solvents. Solutions are readily oxidized, in the presence of light and alkali, to products with weaker insecticidal properties.