linuron linuron linuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea) is a phenylurea herbicide that is used to control the growth of grass and weeds for the purpose of supporting the growth of crops like soybeans. linuronidentifiers iupac name 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea cas number330-55-2pubchem cid9502chemspider9130unii01xp1su59ocomptox dashboard (epa)dtxsid2024163 echa infocard100.005.779 chemical and physical dataformulac9h10cl2n2o2molar mass249.09 g·mol−13d model (jsmol)interactive image smiles cn(c(=o)nc1=cc(=c(c=c1)cl)cl)oc inchi inchi=1s/c9h10cl2n2o2/c1-13(15-2)9(14)12-6-3-4-7(10)8(11)5-6/h3-5h,1-2h3,(h,12,14)key:xkjmbincvninca-uhfffaoysa-n pharmacology mechanism of action linuron acts via inhibition of photosystem ii, which is necessary for photosynthetic electron transport in plants. effects in animals linuron has been found to produce reproductive toxicity in animals by acting as an androgen receptor (ar) antagonist, and for this reason, is considered to be an endocrine disruptor. consequently, in january 2017, the standing committee on plants, animals, food and feed (scopaff) of the european commission dg "health and food safety" decided to not renew its regulatory approval. sales are expected to cease by june 2017.