40581-94-0

Usage

Uses

1. Used in Environmental Testing and Research:
Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin is used as a standard for environmental testing and research purposes. It plays a crucial role in the fingerprinting of pesticides and the study of dioxin formation from pesticide formulations when exposed to sunlight. This application helps in understanding the environmental impact of these chemicals and aids in the development of safer alternatives.
2. Used in Analytical Chemistry:
TCDD is also utilized in analytical chemistry for the calibration of instruments and methods used to detect and quantify dioxins and other related compounds in various samples, such as soil, water, and food products. This application ensures the accuracy and reliability of dioxin measurements, which is essential for assessing environmental contamination and human exposure risks.
3. Used in Toxicology Studies:
Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin is employed in toxicology studies to investigate the mechanisms of dioxin toxicity and to develop strategies for mitigating their harmful effects on human health and the environment. These studies contribute to a better understanding of the toxicological properties of dioxins and help in the establishment of safety standards and regulations.
4. Used in Pharmaceutical Research:
Although TCDD is a toxic compound, it has been used in pharmaceutical research to study its potential therapeutic applications. Some studies have explored the possibility of using TCDD or its derivatives as therapeutic agents for certain diseases, such as cancer. However, due to its high toxicity and potential for adverse effects, the use of TCDD in the pharmaceutical industry is limited and requires stringent safety measures.

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

Upstream product

• 35471-43-3 potassium salt of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol 
• 58200-73-0 potassium salt of 2,3,6-trichlorophenol 
• 74-86-2 acetylene 

Relevant academic research and scientific papers

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.

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.

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.