Hexachlorobenzene

In organic syntheses. Formerly as agricultural fungicide.

As a raw material for synthetic rubber, plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride, as a rubber peptizing agent in the manufacture of nitroso and styrene-type rubbers.

Additive for pyrotechnic compositions for the military, porosity controller in manufacture of electrodes, intermediate in dye manufacture.

There are currently no commercial uses of hexachlorobenzene in the United States. Hexachlorobenzene is currently formed as a byproduct during the manufacture of other chemicals (mainly solvents) and pesticides.

Industrial uses: Intermediate.

Use classes: Pesticides, Fungicides.

Hexachlorobenzene is a stable, white, crystalline chlorinated hydrocarbon that emits very toxic fumes of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrochloric acid and other chlorinated compounds when heated to decomposition. Hexachlorobenzene was used as a fungicide and was also used as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of dyes, synthesis of organic chemicals, rubber and in wood preservation. Prolonged oral exposure to this substance results in a liver disease with associated skin lesions. Hexachlorobenzene is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on association between thyroid, liver and kidney cancer and oral exposure in animals. (NCI05)

Chlorination of benzene, isolation from by-product residues of tetrachloroethylene production, reaction of hexachlorocyclohexane with chlorine or sulfuryl chloride

Hexachlorobenzene can be produced by exhaustive chlorination of benzene, using chlorine in the presence of such catalysts as ferric chloride. The reaction is conducted at a temperature above 230 °C in the liquid or vapor phase.