Overview

N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (en-en-dye-ETH-el-three-METH-el-ben-ZA-mid) is the most commonly used insect repellant in the world. It is probably better known by its common name of DEET. DEET is applied to the skin and clothing to ward off biting insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, and fleas. Although it does not kill insects, DEET repels them for several hours after being applied.

N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide is a colorless amber liquid with a faint odor. The compound can exist in any one of three isomers in which the two groups attached to the benzene ring are next to each other (ortho), separated by one carbon (meta), or opposite each other in the ring (para). Although all three isomers are effective as insect repellants, the meta isomer is more effective than the ortho and para isomers and constitutes about 95 percent of the commercial product.

Key Facts

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