Colorless crystals. Mp 45C, bp 130C (2
mm Hg). Insoluble in water; soluble in alcohol.
Versalide is used as musk for perfumes, cosmetics, soaps.
Versalide is prepared from Ethylbenzene plus 2,5-Dichloro -2,5-dimethylhexane. (Carpenter, U.S. pat. 2,897,237, 28th July 1959).
Poison by ingestion. Moderately toxic by skin contact. A sktn and eye irritant. Exposure causes blue coloration of internal organs and central nervous system effects, e.g., hyperexcitabdity, tremors, lack of coordination, hunched back, and loss of weight. It is slowly metabolized and excreted via feces. Symptoms persist for 90 days after exposure. Severity of symptoms seems proportional to length of exposure. It is freely absorbed via human skin. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and fumes.
