50585-46-1

Basic information

• Product Name: 1,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN
• Synonyms: 1,2,7,9-Tetrachlorooxanthrene;1,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin;1,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin;1,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxi;Dibenzo(b,e)(1,4)dioxin, 1,3,7,8-tetrachloro-;Dibenzo-p-dioxin, 1,2,7,9-tetrachloro;Dibenzo-p-dioxin, 1,3,7,8-tetrachloro-;e)(1,4)dioxin,1,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo(
• CAS NO: 50585-46-1
• Molecular Formula: C₁₂H₄Cl₄O₂
• Molecular Weight: 321.97096
• Mol File: 50585-46-1.mol

Chemical Properties

• Melting Point: 194.25°C
• Boiling Point: 407.62°C (rough estimate)
• Flash Point: 163°C
• Appearance: /
• Density: 1.6430 (estimate)
• Vapor Pressure: 9.92E-07mmHg at 25°C
• Refractive Index: 1.6430 (estimate)
• CAS DataBase Reference: 1,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN(CAS DataBase Reference)
• NIST Chemistry Reference: 1,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN(50585-46-1)
• EPA Substance Registry System: 1,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN(50585-46-1)

Safety Data

• Hazardous Substances Data: 50585-46-1(Hazardous Substances Data)

Usage

Uses

Used in Environmental Testing and Research:
1,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin is used as a standard in environmental testing and research for the detection and analysis of dioxin contaminants in natural water bodies such as lakes and rivers. Its presence in these environments can indicate pollution from industrial activities or waste disposal, and monitoring its levels helps in assessing the quality of water sources and the potential impact on ecosystems and human health.

InChI:InChI=1/C12H4Cl4O2/c13-5-1-8(16)12-11(2-5)17-9-3-6(14)7(15)4-10(9)18-12/h1-4H

Upstream product

• 35471-43-3 potassium salt of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol 
• 58200-72-9 potassium salt of 2,3,5-trichlorophenol 
• 39227-28-6 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzodioxin 
• 74-86-2 acetylene 

Relevant articles and documents

Role of copper chloride in the formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans during incineration

Combustion experiments in a laboratory-scale fluidized-bed reactor were performed to elucidate the role of copper chloride in formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) during model waste incineration. The amounts of PCDDs and PCDFs formed, the homologue profiles, and the isomer distributions were measured in the flue gas from incineration of model wastes containing various levels of copper. A correlation was found between the Cu content of the waste and the proportion of each congener. An increase in copper enhanced the formation of certain congeners, showing that copper acts as a catalyst for formation of PCDDs and PCDFs. An increase in the copper content of the waste decreased the CO concentration in the flue gas and reduced the formation of PCDDs and PCDFs during incineration. This indicates that copper also works as an oxidation catalyst to promote combustion, leading to lower concentrations of products of incomplete combustion. It is indispensable to consider both roles of the catalyst, i.e., enhancement and suppression, in the formation of PCDDs and PCDFs during waste incineration, which are estimated separately from the isomer distributions and the amounts of PCDDs and PCDFs formed.

Copper-catalyzed chlorination and condensation of acetylene and dichloroacetylene

The chlorination and condensation of acetylene at low temperatures is demonstrated using copper chlorides as chlorinated agents coated to model borosilicate surfaces. Experiments with and without both a chlorine source and borosilicate surfaces indicate the absence of gas-phase and gas-surface reactions. Chlorination and condensation occur only in the presence of the copper catalyst. C2 through C8 organic products were observed in the effluent; PCDD/F were only observed from extraction of the borosilicate surfaces. A global reaction model is proposed that is consistent with the observed product distributions. Similar experiments with dichloroacetylene indicate greater reactivity in the absence of the copper catalyst. Reaction is observed in the gas-phase and in the presence of borosilicate surfaces at low temperatures. The formation of hexachlorobenzene is only observed in the presence of a copper catalyst. PCDD/F were only observed from extraction of the borosilicate surfaces. A global reaction model is proposed for the formation of hexachlorobenzene from dichloroacetylene. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Natural formation of chlorinated phenols, dibenzo-p-dioxins, and dibenzofurans in soil of a Douglas fir forest

The natural formation of 4-MCP, 24/25- and 26-DCP, and 245-TrCP was detected in four selected areas of a rural Douglas fir forest where the humic layer was spiked in situ with a solution of Na37Cl and covered by an enclosure, after 1 year of incubation. Chlorinated phenols (CP) can be formed naturally from organic matter and inorganic chloride by either de novo synthesis or chloroperoxidase (CPO)-catalyzed chlorination. The natural CP congeners were found to be present in high concentrations in soil compared to the other congeners, except for 245-TrCP which was present in a relatively low concentration. This study did not reveal which source, natural or anthropogenic, caused the observed concentrations. Some 20 chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (CDD/F) were found to be formed naturally in soil of the Douglas fir forest; the formation of three 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners, 2378-TeCDD, 12378-PeCDD, and 123789-HxCDD, deserves special attention. A formation mechanism has been proposed which starts from naturally formed CP congeners and which probably involves peroxidase mediation. Chlorination of CDD/F congeners by the CPO-mediated reaction cannot be ruled out, but seems to be less likely due to the absence of several predicted congeners. The natural formation of 4-MCP, 24/25- and 26-DCP, and 245-TrCP was detected in four selected areas of a rural Douglas fir forest where the humic layer was spiked in situ with a solution of Na37Cl and covered by an enclosure, after 1 year of incubation. Chlorinated phenols (CP) can be formed naturally from organic matter and inorganic chloride by either de novo synthesis or chloroperoxidase (CPO)-catalyzed chlorination. The natural CP congeners were found to be present in high concentrations in soil compared to the other congeners, except for 245-TrCP which was present in a relatively low concentration. This study did not reveal which source, natural or anthropogenic, caused the observed concentrations. Some 20 chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (CDD/F) were found to be formed naturally in soil of the Douglas fir forest; the formation of three 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners, 2378-TeCDD, 12378-PeCDD, and 123789-HxCDD, deserves special attention. A formation mechanism has been proposed which starts from naturally formed CP congeners and which probably involves peroxidase mediation. Chlorination of CDD/F congeners by the CPO-mediated reaction cannot be ruled out, but seems to be less likely due to the absence of several predicted congeners.

Isomer distributions of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans formed during de novo synthesis on incinerator fly ash

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF) emitted from municipal waste incinerators appear to have a chlorination pattern that is quite constant across various samples and conditions. This suggested that these patterns may be controlled by thermodynamic properties of the individual PCDD/F congeners, such as the free Gibbs energy of formation (Δg°(f,T)). This would make prediction of the isomer composition of a particular sample (and hence its TEQ value) possible, based on values of ΔG°(f,T). A laboratory scale study was carried out with activated carbon on fly ash as the source of PCDD/F formation. Although it was found that the isomer distributions within homologues were independent of the reaction time (proof of thermodynamic control), other observations (lack of equilibrium/isomerization between isomers and lack of similarity between isomer distributions measured and predicted by ΔG°(f,T)) contradicted the possibility of thermodynamic control. Hence, this study could not confirm that de novo formation of PCDD/F could explain thermodynamically controlled isomer distributions in incinerators. Some recommendations for further work- time-based studies with precursors, isomerization studies with single congeners, and more data on ΔG°(f,T) values of PCDD/F-were made. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF) emitted from municipal waste incinerators appear to have a chlorination pattern that is quite constant across various samples and conditions. This suggested that these patterns may be controlled by thermodynamic properties of the individual PCDD/F congeners, such as the free Gibbs energy of formation (ΔG°f,T). This would make prediction of the isomer composition of a particular sample (and hence its TEQ value) possible, based on values of ΔG°f,T. A laboratory scale study was carried out with activated carbon on fly ash as the source of PCDD/F formation. Although it was found that the isomer distributions within homologues were independent of the reaction time (proof of thermodynamic control), other observations (lack of equilibrium/isomerization between isomers and lack of similarity between isomer distributions measured and predicted by ΔG°f,T) contradicted the possibility of thermodynamic control. Hence, this study could not confirm that de novo formation of PCDD/F could explain thermodynamically controlled isomer distributions in incinerators. Some recommendations for further work - time-based studies with precursors, isomerization studies with single congeners, and more data on ΔG°f,T values of PCDD/F - were made.

Reactions of dibenzofuran and 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on municipal waste incinerator fly ash

Dibenzofuran (DF) on fly ash can be converted to polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF)in a N2/O2/HCl atmosphere, yielding especially 2,3,7,8- substituted congeners. This is consistent with an electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism. 1,2,3,4,7,8-Hexa-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,3,4,7,8- H6CDD) on fly ash can be chlorinated by HCl both in N2 and O2 atmospheres. Dechlorination and decomposition reactions are not important under these conditions, and isomerization reactions do not take place either. 1,2,3,4,7,8-H6CDD dechlorinates or decomposes on fly ash when no HCl is present. Only a limited number of dechlorination products are formed. Chlorination and dechlorination are separate processes, not occurring simultaneously.

Isomer-Specific Separation of 2378-Substituted Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins by High-Resolution Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

All polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) isomers containing four and more chlorine substituents were prepared by micropyrolysis of chlorophenolates.The synthesis included the preparation of all 22 tetra-, 14 penta-, 10 hexa-, 2 hepta-, and octachlorinated species (tetra- to octa-CDD).The gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties of these isomers were studied.High resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) on a 55-m Silar 10c glass capillary column allowed the separation of many of these isomers and allowed the unambiguous assignment of the toxic and environmentally hazardous 2378-substituted isomers (2378-tetra-, 12378-penta-, 123478-, 123678-, and 123789-hexa-CDD).Analyses were carried out to determine the occurence of these isomers in environmental samples and in fly ash from municipal incinerators.

High-resolution gas chromatography of the 22 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin isomers

The 22 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (TCDDs) were synthesized in microgram quantities by a simple pyrolysis procedure from different potassium chlorophenates. The separation of these TCDD isomers was studied on high-resolution glass capillary columns with different stationary phases (Silar 10c, OV-17, OV-101) and by use of mass spectrometric detection. Conditions were found that allowed the unambiguous assignment of many of these isomers, including the very toxic 2378-TCDD. The determination of the various TCDD isomers is illustrated in the analysis of samples from known contaminated areas in Seveso, Italy, and in eastern Missouri, and the method is also applied to the analysis of fish from the Tittabawassee River in Michigan and fly ash samples from municipal incinerators in Switzerland.