Acute and cutaneous toxicity of beta-chlorovinyl ketones and aldehydes in rodents

The acute toxicity (LD50, intraperitoneal in the mouse) of beta-chlorovinyl ketones and aldehydes used as intermediates for organic syntheses was determined and their action on the skin of rodents investigated. Ketones of the type Cl-CH-CH-COR prove to be relatively toxic and display a markedly necrotic action after percutaneous absorption. In comparison with this the isomeric aldehydes Cl-CR-CH-CHO have a lower acute and less markedly cutaneous toxicity. As therapeutic counter action after skin contamination by beta-chlorovinyl carbonyl compounds the immediate treatment with an aqueous ethanolic solution of hexamethylenetetramine is recommendable.