Parathion is closely related to which compound?

Parathion is closely related to which compound?

• A. Methyl parathion
• B. Methyl mercuric chloride
• C. Dichlorvos
• D. Glyphosate

Answer: (A)

Parathion and methyl parathion are chemical analogs within the same class of organophosphate insecticides. They share the same phosphorothioate core attached to a 4-nitrophenyl group, with two alkyl groups on the phosphorus. The difference is simply the alkyl substituents: parathion has two ethyl groups, while methyl parathion has two methyl groups. This makes them very closely related. The other options are a mercury compound, a different herbicide, or an organophosphate with more distinct substituents, so they aren’t as closely related as methyl parathion.

Parathion and methyl parathion are chemical analogs within the same class of organophosphate insecticides. They share the same phosphorothioate core attached to a 4-nitrophenyl group, with two alkyl groups on the phosphorus. The difference is simply the alkyl substituents: parathion has two ethyl groups, while methyl parathion has two methyl groups. This makes them very closely related. The other options are a mercury compound, a different herbicide, or an organophosphate with more distinct substituents, so they aren’t as closely related as methyl parathion.