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1,4-Dioxin

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For the general class of dioxin compounds which are environmental pollutants, see polychlorinated dibenzodioxins.
Not to be confused with dioxane or digoxin.
1,4-Dioxin
Names
IUPAC name
1,4-dioxin
Other names
p-dioxin, dioxin
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
  • InChI=1/C4H4O2/c1-2-6-4-3-5-1/h1-4H
    Key: KVGZZAHHUNAVKZ-UHFFFAOYAD
  • O\1/C=C\O/C=C/1
Properties
C4H4O2
Molar mass 84.07 g/mol
Appearance Colorless liquid
Boiling point 75 °C (167 °F; 348 K)
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 highly flammable
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

1,4-Dioxin (also referred as dioxin or p-dioxin) is a heterocyclic, organic, antiaromatic compound with the chemical formula C4H4O2.

There is an isomeric form of 1,4-dioxin, 1,2-dioxin (or o-dioxin). 1,2-Dioxin is very unstable due to its peroxide-like characteristics.

Skeletal formulas and substituent numbering schemes of dioxin isomers

The term “dioxin” is most commonly used for a family of derivatives of dioxin, known as polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs).

Preparation

1,4-Dioxin can be prepared by cycloaddition, namely by the Diels-Alder reaction.[1]

Scheme describing the 1994 synthesis of 1,4-dioxin

Derivatives

Figure 1: The skeletal formula and substituent numbering scheme of dibenzo-1,4-dioxin, the parent compound of PCDDs

The word “dioxin” can refer in a general way to compounds which have a dioxin core skeletal structure with substituent molecular groups attached to it. For example, dibenzo-1,4-dioxin is a compound whose structure consists of two benzo- groups fused onto a 1,4-dioxin ring.

Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins

Main article: polychlorinated dibenzodioxins

Because of their extreme importance as environmental pollutants, current scientific literature uses the name dioxins commonly for simplification to denote the chlorinated derivatives of dibenzo-1,4-dioxin, more precisely the polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), among which 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD), a tetrachlorinated derivative, is the best known. The polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, which can also be classified in the family of halogenated organic compounds, have been shown to bioaccumulate in humans and wildlife due to their lipophilic properties, and are known teratogens, mutagens, and carcinogens.

PCDDs are formed through combustion, chlorine bleaching and manufacturing processes.[2] The combination of heat and chlorine creates dioxin.[2] Since chlorine is often a part of the Earth's environment, natural ecological activity such as volcanic activity and forest fires can lead to the formation of PCDDs.[2] Nevertheless, PCDDs are mostly created by human activity.[2]

Famous PCDD exposure cases include Agent Orange produced by Monsanto sprayed over vegetation during the Vietnam war, the Seveso disaster, and the poisoning of Viktor Yushchenko.

Polychlorinated dibenzofurans are a related class compounds to PCDDs which are often included within the general term “dioxins”.

References

  1. ^ R. Alan Aitken, J. I. G. Cadogan and Ian Gosneya (1994). "Effect of ring strain on the formation and pyrolysis of some Diels–Alder adducts of 2-sulfolene (2,3-dihydrothiophene 1,1-dioxide) and maleic anhydride with 1,3-dienes and products derived therefrom". J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1: 927–931. doi:10.1039/p19940000927.
  2. ^ a b c d Dioxin from State of Maine's Department of Environmental Protection
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