What Is DDT: Properties, Uses & Formula

DDT or Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane is an odorless substance belonging to the organochlorine family with a very powerful capacity to kill insects. Chloral (CCl₃CHO) is formed naturally when chlorobenzene (C₆H₅Cl) interacts with a sulphuric acid catalyst (H₂SO₄). It is used widely in Africa and other developing countries in eradication of malaria and other diseases which are spread by insects. DDT can also be denoted as C₁₄H₉Cl₅. Due to the health hazard created by DDT, it is advisable to understand the precaution measures from it properly before using.

Key Terms- DDT, pesticide, insecticide, Health hazards, crystalline solid, synthesized compound.

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What is DDT

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DDT is a chemically synthesized compound used as a pesticide and insecticide around the world . It was synthesized in the 1870s but came into general use in the late 1930s when Swiss chemist Paul Hermann Muller discovered its properties to kill insects . 

• In the year 1940 and 1950 it was used extensively to eradicate malaria and after that it was used heavily in the agriculture industry. 
• Under Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP) DDT behaves as an odorless,tasteless crystalline solid .

Chemical Structure of DDT

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Properties of DDT

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Here are some of the important properties of DDT-

• DDT stands for Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its chemical formula is C₁₄H₉Cl₅.
• Physically it is found in crystal or powder form and it is white in color.
• This chemical compound has a molar mass of 354.48 grams per mole.
• DDT has a density of 0.98 to 0.99 gram per centimeter cube.
• DDT has solubility of 0.025 mg/L at 25 degree celsius.
• DDT is soluble in Ethyl ether and acetone .
• The melting point of DDT is approximately equal to 381.6 kelvin .
• The boiling point of DDT is approximately 260 degree celsius and DDT starts decomposing at this temperature .
• DDT is almost insoluble in water.

Also Read: Classification of Haloalkanes and Haloarenes

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Uses of DDT

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Here are the uses of DDT-

1. DDT was used around the world mainly for the eradication of insect related diseases such as malaria and typhoid.
2. DDT became a second answer to agricultural problems .
3. In India DDT was used by small to big farmers in enhancing their product and protecting them from pests and insects .

However due to its hazardous effects on the health of the human,animals and on the whole planet it was banned by several countries.

World-wide Uses of DDT

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DDT As Pesticide

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Pesticides are basically synthetic toxic chemicals with big environmental repercussions and DDT is one of them .

• DDT opens up the sodium ion channels in the neurons of the insects causing their death.
• The repeated use of such pesticides gives birth to insects and pests which are advanced in nature and shielded from these pesticides making pesticides like DDT ineffective.
• Synthetically made pesticides generally do not dissolve completely in water and it makes its way to the food chain. 
• Over time such concentration of DDTs and other pesticides causes various physiological disorders in animals. 
• Not only this DDT over time becomes pollutant as well, polluting the earth as it does not get dissolved in water .

Also Read: Conformation

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DDT As Pollutant & Its Effects

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DDT the Pollutant effects not only the environment but also the general health of humans and animals of this planet.

• DDT is insoluble in water that means it remains in the environment for the longest period of time, affecting air, water and soil of this planet. Eventually it makes its way to the food chain affecting general health of humans ,animals as well as marine life .
• It affects the endocrine system of the human ,DDT is infamous for damaging the endocrine gland/system .
• DDT is suspected to be a carcinogenic material creating a threat for cancer. Hence, DDThas been banned by various countries due to its harmful impacts .
• DDT is suspected to create thyroid issues in pregnant women and not only this it is also suspected to create the onset of autism in kids.

Effects of DDT

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Things to Remember

• DDT is a chemically synthesized compound used as a pesticide and insecticide.
• DDT stands for Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane.
• DDT is water insoluble.
• DDT was used around the world to eradicate malaria and typhus.
• The chemical formula of DDT is C₁₄H₉Cl₅.

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