Pentachlorobenzene

Pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C6HCl5 which is a chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon. It consists of a benzene ring substituted with five chlorine atoms. PeCB was once used industrially for a variety of uses, but because of environmental concerns there are currently no large scale uses of PeCB.[4] Pentachlorobenzene is a known persistent organic pollutant (POP) and banned globally by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2009.[5]

Pentachlorobenzene
Names
IUPAC name
1,2,3,4,5-Pentachlorobenzene
Other names
PeCB
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.009.248
EC Number
  • 602-074-00-5
RTECS number
  • DA6640000
UNII
Properties
C6HCl5
Molar mass 250.32 g·mol−1
Appearance White or colorless crystals
Density 1.8 g/cm3[1]
Melting point 86 °C (187 °F; 359 K)[1]
Boiling point 275 to 277 °C (527 to 531 °F; 548 to 550 K)[1]
0.68 mg/L[2]
Hazards
R-phrases (outdated) R11 R22 R50/53
S-phrases (outdated) (S2) S41 S46 S50 S60 S61
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
rat: 1080 mg/kg[3]
mouse: 1175 mg/kg[3]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Production

PeCB can be produced as a byproduct of the manufacture of carbon tetrachloride and benzene. It is extracted by distillation and crystallization. The direct production of pure PeCB is not practical because of the simultaneous production of other chlorinated compounds. Since PeCB is generally produced in small quantities in the chlorination of benzene, it is also contained in other chlorobenzenes (dichlorobenzenes, trichlorobenzenes etc.)

Today, a majority of the PeCB released into the environment is a result of backyard trash burning and municipal waste incineration.[4]

Uses

PeCB was used as an intermediate in the manufacture of pesticides, particularly the fungicide pentachloronitrobenzene.[3] Pentachloronitrobenzene is now made by the chlorination of nitrobenzene in order to avoid the use of PeCB.[4]

PeCB was a component of a mixture of chlorobenzenes added to products containing polychlorinated biphenyls in order to reduce viscosity.[4] PeCB has also been used as a fire retardant.[3]

Safety and regulation

PeCB is a persistent organic pollutant, allowing an accumulation in the food chain.[1][4] Consequently, pentachlorobenzene was added in 2009 to the list of chemical compounds covered by the Stockholm Convention, an international treaty which restricts the production and use of persistent organic pollutants.[6][7] PeCB has been banned in the European Union since 2002.

PeCB is very toxic to aquatic organisms, and decomposes on heating or on burning with the formation of toxic, corrosive fumes including hydrogen chloride.[1] Combustion of PeCB may also result in the formation of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins ("dioxins") and polychlorinated dibenzofurans.

See also

References
  1. Pentachlorobenzene Safety Card, International Programme on Chemical Safety
  2. Shen, L., Wania, F., Lei, Y. D., Teixeira, C., Muir, D. C. G., Bidleman, T. F. (2005). "Compilation, evaluation, and selection of physical-chemical property data for organochlorine pesticides". J. Chem. Eng. Data. 50 (3): 742–768. doi:10.1021/je049693f.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. Pentachlorobenzene Fact Sheet, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  4. Pentachlorobenzene – Sources, environmental fate and risk characterization Archived 2008-12-27 at the Wayback Machine, Robert E. Bailey, EuroChlor, July 2007
  5. Press Release – COP4 – Geneva, 8 May 2009: Governments unite to step-up reduction on global DDT reliance and add nine new chemicals under international treaty, 2009.
  6. Governments unite to step-up reduction on global DDT reliance and add nine new chemicals under international treaty, Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 9 May 2009
  7. Adding the 'Nasty Nine' to the 'Dirty Dozen', thedailygreen.com
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