Maleic hydrazide /meɪli.ɪk haɪ.drə.zaɪd/ is a chemical compound used as a plant growth regulator and pesticide. The spelling of this word in IPA phonetic transcription reflects the English pronunciation of the word. The first syllable, /meɪli/, is pronounced like the word "may" with an "lee" sound at the end. The second syllable, /ɪk/, is pronounced like the word "ick." The third syllable, /haɪ.drə.zaɪd/, is pronounced with a long "i" sound, followed by "dry" and "zyd."
Maleic hydrazide is a synthetic compound primarily used as a plant growth regulator and herbicide. It is a white crystalline solid with the chemical formula C4H4N2O2. Maleic hydrazide is derived from maleic acid and hydrazine, and it belongs to the class of organic compounds known as hydrazides. It is soluble in water and polar organic solvents like ethanol and acetone.
As a plant growth regulator, maleic hydrazide is commonly used to control the sprouting of potatoes and other root crops during storage. It acts by inhibiting the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins in the growing shoots of plants, thereby preventing unwanted sprouting while retaining the quality and marketability of stored crops.
In addition to its growth regulatory effects, maleic hydrazide also exhibits herbicidal properties. It disrupts plant growth by inhibiting cell division and metabolism, leading to the suppression of weed growth and subsequent crop yield improvement in agriculture.
Maleic hydrazide is considered a safe compound to use in crop production when applied correctly and in compliance with regulations. However, it may have adverse effects if used in excessive amounts or inappropriately, such as phytotoxicity and potential harm to non-target organisms. It is crucial to strictly follow recommended application rates and follow specific guidelines provided by regulatory authorities and manufacturers when using maleic hydrazide.
The word "Maleic Hydrazide" has its etymology as follows:
1. Maleic: The term "Maleic" originates from the name of maleic acid, which is derived from the Latin word "malum" meaning "apple". This is due to the fact that maleic acid was first isolated from apple juice. The term "maleic" is used to describe the chemical structure and properties of maleic acid and its derivatives.
2. Hydrazide: The word "Hydrazide" is derived from "hydrazine", which is a compound consisting of two nitrogen atoms and four hydrogen atoms. "Hydrazide" refers to the chemical functional group -NH-NH2, which is found in hydrazine and its derivatives. "Hydrazide" is used to indicate the presence of this functional group in a compound.