Benzene Hexachloride: Lindane, Preparation, Structure and Properties

Benzene hexachloride has the chemical formula C₆H₆Cl₆ and is an isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane. Benzene hexachloride or hexachloride are other names for it. The colorless solid benzene hexachloride has a mild musty odor. It's an organochlorine compound that's commonly utilized as an agricultural pesticide as well as scabies and lice medicinal therapy. Burning, stinging, or redness of the skin are some of the negative effects of benzene hexachloride. Teunis van der Linden, a Dutch chemist, discovered Benzene hexachloride in 1942.

Keyterms: Isomer, Hexachlorocyclohexane, Organochlorine, Pesticide, Benzene, Carbon, Hydrogen, Chlorine, Atom

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Benzene Hexachloride Structure 

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Benzene hexachloride is made up of six carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine atoms. The molecular formula for benzene hexachloride is C₆H₆Cl_6. Benzene hexachloride’s chlorine and hydrogen atoms can randomly attach above and below the ring. It has a number of geometric isomers as a result of this. It isn't an aromatic molecule, and the ring doesn't have a delocalized pi-electron system. Insecticides such as gamma – hexachlorocyclohexane (-HCH), Gammexane, and others are made from it. Below is the Structure of Benzene Hexachloride (BHC)

Benzene Hexachloride Structure 

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Preparation of Benzene Hexachloride

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• In the presence of sunshine and in the absence of oxygen as well as substitution catalysts, chlorine reacts with benzene to create hexachlorocyclohexane.
• Photochlorination can be used to make benzene hexachloride from chlorine and benzene. The final product, benzene hexachloride, contains isomers, of which only the gamma-isomer is desired. The gamma isomer is obtained by treating the reaction mixture with acetic acid or methanol, which dissolves only the alpha and beta isomers.

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Properties of Benzene Hexachloride

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The following are the properties of benzene hexachloride:

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Uses of Benzene Hexachloride 

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• It's used to treat lice and scabies (also known as the seven-year itch).
• It's also utilized as a pesticide in agriculture. Although its agricultural use is now controlled or prohibited in many countries. Between 1950 and 2000, 600000 tonnes of BHC were manufactured for agricultural usage around the world.
• It's found in shampoos and lotions for therapeutic purposes.
• It is used to treat a variety of disorders as a second-line medication.
• It is used to cure seeds.

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Benzene Hexachloride Health Hazards

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• BHC, also known as lindane, is somewhat acutely hazardous, according to the World Health Organization. This is why its use in agriculture has been restricted or even prohibited. Its increased concentration can disrupt the nervous system, and its manufacturing process is hazardous to the environment.
• In rare situations, high doses of benzene hexachloride can cause headaches, disorientation, convulsions, and even death. It can have an impact on a child's brain development and thyroid hormone levels. At concentrations of 50 mg/m3 and more, benzene hexachloride can cause immediate death or be extremely hazardous to one's life and health.
• It is one of the extremely hazardous chemicals on the US list of extremely hazardous substances. Benzene hexachloride has been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Despite the fact that the WHO found benzene hexachloride to be non-carcinogenic to humans, India's BIS classified BHC as a "confirmed carcinogen".
• It can induce convulsions, skin irritation, itching, rash, and burning sensations, among other things. The skin becomes extremely sensitive as a result of these benzene hexachloride responses. It is not recommended for premature neonates due to the risk of severe neurotoxicity.
• Benzene hexachloride is a pollutant that harms the environment. It's also known as a forever chemical or persistent organic pollutant. Because it is a chemical that lasts a long time in the environment. Its presence in the environment is primarily due to its agricultural use. It also enters the food chain through agriculture. The manufacture of benzene hexachloride generates a significant amount of harmful waste. According to studies, every tonne of BHC produced produces 10 tonnes of hazardous waste. BHC in the soil can leach into groundwater and then volatilize into the atmosphere, where it can be deposited by rain.
• A substantial amount of benzene hexachloride has been found in the human body as a result of its agricultural usage, which is extremely detrimental to human health.
• As a result, benzene hexachloride or BHC should be used with caution. For a healthy environment and ecology, all environmental protection agencies and World Health Organization criteria for benzene hexachloride must be observed during its manufacturing and use.

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Things To Remember

• Benzene hexachloride was first prepared in 1825; the insecticidal properties were identified in 1944.
• The gamma-isomer of the benzene hexachloride molecule is thought to be a human carcinogen.
• Six carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms, and six chlorine atoms make up benzene hexachloride.
• Delocalization of pi – bonds in the benzene ring is eliminated in this reaction by adding a chlorine atom to each carbon atom in the benzene ring.

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