Pentachloropyridine is one of the most important perhalogenated compounds which find broad applications in many fields of chemistry. It is most reactive at the 4- position. Reduction with zinc, or electrochemically, yields 2,3,5,6-tetrachloropyridine. Partial hydrolysis and phosphorylation gives the insecticide chlorpyrifos.
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Pentachloropyridine is a halogenated pyridine with antineoplastic and antiapoptic properties.
Pentachloropyridine can be produced through a direct electrophilic substitution reaction between pyridine and chlorine.
Poison by intraperitoneal route. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Clí and NOx.
Purify it by recrystallisation from EtOH or aqueous EtOH. It sublimes at 150o/3mm. [den Hertog et al. Recl Trav Chim Pays-Bas 69 673 1950, Schikh et al. Chem Ber 69 2604 1936, Beilstein 20 I 81, 20 III/IV 2503, 20/5 V 422.]
