Metabolism of the herbicide 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile in rabbits and rats

1. The metabolism of 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile was studied in rabbits and rats. Oral administration caused an increased urinary excretion of glucuronides and ethereal sulphates. There was also an indication of mercapturic acid formation. 2,6-Dichloro-3-hydroxybenzonitrile and its 4-hydroxy analogue were identified as metabolites in the urine. A small amount of the unchanged substance was recovered from the faeces. 2. By using 2,6-dichlorobenzo[(14)C]nitrile the phenolic metabolites were determined quantitatively and some other possible metabolic routes were excluded. 3. Incubation of 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile with enzyme preparations (papain and high-speed supernatant of rat-liver homogenate plus glutathione) gave no indications for a reaction with thiol compounds.