Paraquat


Paraquat is the trade name for N,N'-Dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium dichloride, a viologen. Paraquat is used as a quaternary ammonium herbicide. As with many herbicides it is dangerously poisonous to humans if swallowed. Other members of this class include diquat (N,N'-Ethylene-2,2'-bipyridinium dibromide), cyperquat (1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium chloride), diethamquat (1,1′-Bis(diethylcarbamoylmethyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium dichloride), difenzoquat, and morfamquat. All of these are easily reduced to the radical ion, which generates superoxide radical that reacts with unsaturated membrane lipids.