Chemical Properties
beige solid
Uses
2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol may be used as an analytical reference standard for the determination of the analyte in landfill leachates, aqueous samples, and environmental samples by various chromatographic techniques.
Uses
Used as a broad range pesticide against insects, fungi, vegetation and bacteria. It has become a common environmental contaminant and probable human carcinogen.
Definition
ChEBI: A tetrachlorophenol in which the chlorines are located at positions 2, 3, 4, and 6.
General Description
Brown flakes or beige solid. Strong odor.
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
2,3,4,6-TETRACHLOROPHENOL reacts as a weak organic acid and is incompatible with strong reducing substances such as hydrides, nitrides, alkali metals, and sulfides. Flammable gas (H2) is often generated, and the heat of the reaction may ignite the gas. May generate heat with bases. Such heating may initiate polymerization.
Hazard
Toxic by ingestion and inhalation, strong
irritant.
Fire Hazard
Literature sources indicate that 2,3,4,6-TETRACHLOROPHENOL is nonflammable.
Safety Profile
Suspected carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic and teratogenic data. Poison by ingestion, skin contact, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous routes. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Cl-. Used as a disinfectant and a preservative for wood, latex, and leather. See also CHLOROPHENOLS.
Purification Methods
Crystallise the phenol from pet ether. The benzoate has m 116o (from EtOH). [Beilstein 6 H 193, 6 III 729, 6 IV 1021.]
