Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identification of imidacloprid photolysis products

Photolysis of imidacloprid by near ultraviolet (UV) radiation was investigated using reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS) operated in the positive ion mode. The decomposition of imidacloprid by near UV light is first order with a half life of 10.18 h. Photo-degradation products of imidacloprid identified in this study included imidacloprid urea, imidacloprid olefin, and imidacloprid desnitro. A degradation pathway is proposed for imidacloprid from an examination of the product decay curves obtained in this monitoring study which was performed in a batch test mode.