6207. Mirex

Nomenclature

CAS number: 2385-85-5
1,1a,2,2,3,3a,4,5,5,5a,5b,6-Dodecachlorooctahydro-1,3,4-metheno-1H-cyclobuta[cd]pentalene; perchloropentacyclo[5.2.1.02,6.03,9.05,8]decane; hexachloropentadiene dimer; CG-1283; ENT-025719; Dechlorane (Occidental).
C10Cl12; mol wt 545.54.
C 22.02%, Cl 77.98%.

Description and references

Prepn: Prins, Rec. Trav. Chim. 65, 455 (1946); Newcomer, McBee, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 71, 952 (1949); Gilbert, US 2702305 (1955 to Allied Chem.); Johnson, US 2724730 (1955 to Hooker Electrochem.). Structure: McBee et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 78, 1511 (1956). Degradation in the environment to Kepone and related compds: D. A. Carlson et al., Science 194, 939 (1976). Carcinogenicity study: B. M. Ullard et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 58, 133 (1977). Toxicity data: T. B. Gaines, Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 14, 515 (1969). Reviews: Ungnade, McBee, Chem. Rev. 58, 249-320 (1958); Alley, J. Environ. Qual. 2, 52-61 (1973); E. M. Waters et al., Environ. Res. 14, 212-222 (1977); K. Kaiser, Environ. Sci. Technol. 12, 520-528 (1978). Review of toxicology and human exposure: Toxicological Profile for Mirex and Chlordecone (PB95-264354, 1995) 362 pp.

Chemical structure

Properties

Snow-white odorless crystals from benzene, dec 485°. Supports combustion. Practically insol in water. Soly at room temp: dioxane 15.3%; xylene 14.3%; benzene 12.2%; carbon tetrachloride 7.2%; methyl ethyl ketone 5.6%. Practically noncorrosive to metals. LD50 orally in female rats (corn oil suspension): 600 mg/kg (Gaines).

Caution

This substance is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen: Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition (PB2005-104914, 2004) p III-175.

Use

Formerly as fire retardant for plastics, rubber, paint, paper, electrical goods; insecticide for fire ants.