Chlorophenols (di, tri, tetra): Overview
Description
Chlorophenols have been used as mothproofing agents, miticides, germicides, algicides, fungicides, and wood preservatives and to manufacture of other chemicals. All the chlorophenols have been used as biocides. Chlorophenols with at least two chlorines either have been used directly as pesticides or have been converted into pesticides. 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol was previously used as an antiseptic, a pesticide for wood, leather, and glue preservation and as an anti-mildew treatment. 2,4-Dichlorophenol is a chemical intermediate used principally in the manufacture of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.
Substance details
Substance name: Chlorophenols (di, tri, tetra)
CASR number: 25167-81-1, 25167-82-2, 25167-83-3
Molecular formula: C6H4Cl2O (CASR# 25167-81-1)
C6H3Cl3O (CASR# 25167-82-2)
C6H2Cl4O (CASR# 25167-83-3)
Synonyms: 2.4.6 T, 2.4.6-TCP, 2.4.6-Trichloro-2-hydroxybenzene, 2.4-DCP, 4.6-Dichlorophenol, Chem-Tol, Chlorophen, Collunosol, Cryptogil Oil, DCP, Dow Pentachlorophenol Dp-2 Antimicrobial, Dowcide 2S, Dowcide 7, Dowicide 2, Dowicide 2S, Dowicide 6, Dowicide 7, Dowicide Ec-7, Dp-2. 2.3.4.5.6-Pentachlorophenol, Durotox, Ep 30, Fungifen, Glazd Penta, Grundier Arbezol, Lauxtol, Lauxtol A, Liroprem, NCI-C54933, NCI-C55378, NCI-C56655, Omal, Pcp, Penchlorol, Penta, Pentachlorofenol, Pentachlorophenate, Pentachlorophenol, Pentacon, Penta-Kil, Pentasol, Penwar, Peratox, Permacide, Permagard, Permasan, Permatox Dp-2, Permatox Penta, Permite, Phenachlor, preventol I, Priltox, Santobrite, Santophen, Santophen 20, Sinituho, TCP, Term-I-Trol, Tetrachlorophenols, Thompson's Wood Fix, Weedone.
Physical properties
Di, Tri and Tetra Chlorophenol are part of a group of chemicals known collectively as chlorophenols. In total there are 19 different chlorophenols of which the di, tri and tetra forms make up 13. The chlorophenols differ in the number of chlorine atoms and also where the chlorine atoms are positioned in the atomic structure. Di, tri and tetra chlorophenol have 2, 3 and 4 chlorine atoms respectively Both the number and position of the chlorine atoms affect the overall properties. The 6 most commonly found forms are:
2,4-dichlorophenol (CASR#120-83-2)
2,4,5-trichlorophenol (CASR#95-95-4)
2,4,6-trichlorophenol (CASR#88-06-2)
2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol (CASR#4901-51-3)
2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (CASR#58-90-2)
and 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenol (CASR#935-95-5).
Note: The numbers preceding the name denote the position of the chlorine atoms in the atomic structure.
All the chlorophenols in the in this group are solids (often needles and flakes). They have a strong medicinal taste and odour. Melting temperatures increase with the number of chlorine atoms. The dichlorophenols have melting temperatures around 50°C, the tri's around 70°C and the tetra's around 110°C. Boiling points vary but are generally above 150 or 200°C. 2,4,6-trichlorophenol sublimates (goes directly from solid to vapour).
Chemical properties
2,4-Dichlorophenol is white and is soluble in ethyl alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, ethyl ether, benzene, and chloroform. 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol, is grey and is soluble in acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, ether, denatured alcohol, methanol liquid petrolatum, and chlorophenols (di, tri, tetra). 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol is yellow and is soluble in hot acetic acid, acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, diacetone alcohol, methanol, chlorophenols (di, tri, tetra), turpentine, ether, and denatured alcohol formula. 2,3,4,5-Tetrachlorophenol is soluble in alcohol. 2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol is light brown and is soluble in sodium hydroxide, hot acetic acid, acetone, alcohol, benzene, chloroform, and ligroin. 2,3,5,6-Tetrachlorophenol is soluble in benzene.
On combustion chlorophenols form toxic and corrosive gasses. Upon heating, toxic fumes are formed. Chlorophenols reacts violently with strong oxidants.
Further information
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of chlorophenols emissions in Australia.
Key
Links to an another web site
Opens a pop-up window
