Paradichlorobenzene


 * PARADICHLOROBENZENE **



**Is also known as 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, paradichlorobenzol, p-DCB and PDB. It is an organic compound with the formula C6H4Cl2. 1,4-dichlorobenzene consists of 2 chlorine atoms at opposite sides on a benzene ring. As a solid, it is colourless and has a strong aromatic smell. ** 

** HOW IT IS MADE: ** 

**It is usually produced by adding chlorine, benzene and or chlorobenzene. The formation of paradichlorobenzene is accompanied by the formation of various by-products such as ortho-dichlorobenzene, meta-dichlorobenzene, morehighly chlorinated benzenes, and often some degredation products ****. **** Here is an example of benzene being added and using ferric chloride as a catalyst to produce PDB: C6H6 + 2 Cl2 → C6H4Cl2 + 2 HCl **

**USES: **

It is used as a pesticide, fungicide, insect repellent ,insecticide, rodenticide, and deodorant,most famously used in mothballs.As a pesticide, it can control fruit borers and ants as well as helping by controlling moths, mold, mildew, and other fungi, though it's mostly used for moth repellent, and is harmless to most fabrics(ex. leather).



**HOW IT AFFECTS US:** If there is any contact with PDB, poisioning will occur. This is a list of symptoms that can appear if PDB is swallowed or if a person is in contact with it.  ** Symptoms ** · Eyes, ears, throat, and mouth - Burning sensation in the mouth · Lungs and airways - Breathing difficulties - Coughing - Shallow breathing · Nervous system - Changes in alertness - Headache - Slurred speech - Weakness · Stomach and intestines - Stomache Pain - Diarrhea -  Vomiting

Prolonged and frequent contact with the solid can bother the skin. Paradichlorobenzene is not absorbed through the skin, but it seems that it is well absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and from the lungs. This material can be deadly if consumed or if overexposure results from inhalation.

**INTERESTING FACTS:**

Paradichlorobenzene is almost insoluble in water, and water is practically insoluble to it, but it is soluble in most organic solvents like acetone, alcohol ether,benzene, chloroform, and carbon disulfide. It's molar mass is a total of 147.0014 g/mol and it's density is 1.25 g/cm³ when it is a solid. Lastly, PDB's boiling point is 174.0°C and freezing point is at 53.2°C.

**JUST FOR FUN:** Here is a song titled Paradichlorobenzene:

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY · Kegley, S.E., Hill, B.R., Orme S., Choi A.H., // PAN Pesticide Database, // Pesticide Action Network, North America (San Francisco, CA, 2010), http:www.pesticideinfo.org · PPG Industries. "Paradichlorobenzene."corporateportal. Febuary 2007  · Unknown. "Para-dichlorobenzene." Alanwood. 1995–2010  · Jacob L. Heller,David Zieve."Paradichlorobenzene poisoning." NLM. May 2010 <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002902.htm> · GRR. "Producer, Manufacturer, Supplier of paradichlorobenzene." grrexports. 2006 <http://www.paradichlorobenzene.com/> · <span style="color: #008080; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14.4pt;">Division of Chemical Education, "Moth Repellent Chemicals." Journal of Chemistry Education. September 2005<http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/JCEWWW/Features/MonthlyMolecules/2005/Sep/index.htm>