In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution
mass spectrometry (HPLC–HRMS, Q-Exactive Orbitrap) and Compound
Discoverer 3.3 were used to screen dimethachlon degradation products
in soils. Four metabolites 4-(3,5-dichloroanilino)-4-oxobutanoic acid
(DCBAA), 3,5-dichloroaniline (3,5-DCA), succinic acid, and muconic
acid were confirmed by primary and secondary ion mass spectrometry
comparisons between standards and samples. A quantitative analysis
method of dimethachlon residues and four metabolites in soils was
developed using HPLC–HRMS. Dimethachlon degradation in agricultural
soil indoor unsterilized, sterilized, and field environments in three
typical areas was measured. Dimethachlon degraded fast with a half-life
of less than 1 day in three nonsterile soils. The maximum DCBAA and
3,5-DCA residues during degradation could reach 22.5–35.2%
of the initial concentration of the parent dimethachlon. The metabolite
DCBAA had a greater impact on soil enzyme activity than the parent
dimethachlon.