5990. Methoxychlor

Nomenclature

CAS number: 72-43-5
1,1′-(2,2,2-Trichloroethylidene)bis[4-methoxybenzene]; 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-methoxyphenyl)ethane; 2,2-di-p-anisyl-1,1,1-trichloroethane; DMDT; methoxy-DDT; Marlate (DuPont).
C16H15Cl3O2; mol wt 345.65.
C 55.60%, H 4.37%, Cl 30.77%, O 9.26%.

Description and references

Commercial prepn by the condensation of anisole with chloral in the presence of sulfuric acid: Schneller, Smith, Ind. Eng. Chem. 41, 1027 (1949). Activity: P. Luger et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 27, 892 (1944). Toxicity study: H. C. Hodge et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 99, 140 (1950). Review of toxicology and human exposure: Toxicological Profile for Methoxychlor (PB2003-100140, 2002) 290 pp.

Chemical structure

Properties

Dimorphic crystals, mp 78-78.2° or 86-88°. Practically insol in water. Soluble in alc. The solubilities are approx those of DDT, q.v. LD50 orally in rats: 5.0 g/kg (Hodge).

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure in exptl animals are fasciculations; trembling, convulsions; kidney and liver damage. Potential occupational carcinogen. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 194. See also Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products, R. E. Gosselin et al., Eds. (Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 5th ed., 1984) Section II, p 284.

Use

Insecticide.

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Ectoparasiticide.