Tetrachlorobenzene

Tetrachlorobenzene is any of three isomeric chlorobenzenes with the molecular formula. They differ by the positions of the chlorine atoms around the ring. Tetrachlorobenzenes are colorless crystalline compounds.

Properties

Synthesis

1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene can be produced by electrophilic halogenation of benzenes and some chlorobenzenes. 1,2,3,4-Tetrachlorobenzene can only be produced by chlorination of 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene.

Uses

1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene once was used in the production of the herbicide 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid. This method has been discontinued because it produced highly toxic 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin as a waste product.