A structure-activity relationship of some chlorinated hydrocarbons

Partition coefficients of water/air, blood/air, oil/air, and oil/water for twenty chlorianted hydrocarbons, which were determined by means of a vial-equilibration method, were examined in relation to their chemical structures and threshold limit values (TLVs) recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The TLV was correlated closely with the blood/air partition coefficient and with the product of the water/air and the oil/air partition coefficient except for carbon tetrachloride and o-dichlorobenzene. A relation between partition coefficients and toxicity of these hydrocarbons is also described.