ABSTRACT
The chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs) have been shown to be highly toxic trace contaminants in the environment. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins were prepared using both the catechol chlorobenzene and the catechol orthochloronitrobenzene reactions. The reaction of chlorinated catechols with chlorinated benzenes required approximately one week to reach completion. The synthesis of CDDs has been carried out by the self-condensation of alkali metal salts of orthochlorinated phenols or the more facile condensation of the alkali metal salts of chlorinated catechols with chlorinated benzenes or orthochlorinated nitrobenzenes. The analytical standards generated by the synthetic program have been used to prepare quantitative standards for the analysis of the 22 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in human adipose tissue in the low-part-per-trillion range. Very limited data are available on the levels of (2,3,7,8-TCDD) that may be found in human adipose tissue. The data critically needed by researchers to define expected levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in the general population or in selected cohorts do not exist.
