DEET

For the former Australian government department known as DEET, see Department of Employment, Education and Training.
Not to be confused with DDT.
DEET
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide
Other names
N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.004.682 Edit this at Wikidata
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C12H17NO/c1-4-13(5-2)12(14)11-8-6-7-10(3)9-11/h6-9H,4-5H2,1-3H3 checkY
    Key: MMOXZBCLCQITDF-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1S/C12H17NO/c1-4-13(5-2)12(14)11-8-6-7-10(3)9-11/h6-9H,4-5H2,1-3H3
    Key: MMOXZBCLCQITDF-UHFFFAOYAE
  • O=C(c1cc(ccc1)C)N(CC)CC
Properties
C12H17NO
Molar mass 191.27 g/mol
Density 0.998 g/mL
Melting point −33 °C (−27 °F; 240 K)
Boiling point 288 to 292 °C (550 to 558 °F; 561 to 565 K)
Pharmacology
P03BX02 (WHO) QP53GX01 (WHO)
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS07: Exclamation mark
Danger
H302, H315, H319, H402
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g. canola oilInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
1
0
Safety data sheet (SDS) External MSDS
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, also called diethyltoluamide or DEET (/diːt/, from DET, the initials of di- + ethyl + toluamide),[1][2] is the oldest, one of the most effective and most common active ingredient in commercial insect repellents. It is a slightly yellow oil intended to be applied to the skin or to clothing and provides protection against mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas, chiggers, leeches, and many other biting insects.

Unlike icaridin, DEET emits an odor that many find unpleasant, leaves skin greasy, dissolves plastics and synthetic fabrics[3] and interacts negatively with sunscreen.[4][5]

  1. ^ "DEET". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  2. ^ Plumlee KH (2004-01-01), Plumlee KH (ed.), "Chapter 21 - Insecticides and Molluscicides", Clinical Veterinary Toxicology, Saint Louis: Mosby, pp. 177–192, doi:10.1016/b0-32-301125-x/50024-8, ISBN 978-0-323-01125-9
  3. ^ "Picaridin vs DEET: Which Is the Best Insect Repellent?". Appalachian Mountain Club. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference cdcyb2024 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference jdt2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).