Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
Published on: February 25, 2011
The hepatic interaction of aliphatic alcohols with halogenated hydrocarbons
1National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 22711, USA.
Abstract:
As has been noted, advancement in understanding of chemical interactions requires an integrated approach. Given the large number of binary mixtures of aliphatic alcohols and halogenated hydrocarbons that can be formulated, and because limitations of time and resources make it impossible to test them all, careful thought should be given to selection of pairs for laboratory experimentation. For any given pair of chemicals, the type of interaction (addition, synergism, antagonism, potentiation) should be determined and described by appropriate experimental designs and statistical methodology. This has been done for various alcohol-halocarbon mixtures. Work to expand our understanding of the mechanism(s) underlying the interaction of aliphatic alcohols and halogenated hydrocarbons would be particularly useful, as an improved mechanistic understanding would improve our ability to extrapolate across dose levels (from high laboratory exposure concentrations to typical human environmental exposure concentrations) and across species (from laboratory animals to humans).
Related Concept Videos
Halogenation of Alkenes
Consider the bromination of cyclopentene. Molecular bromine is polarized in the proximity of the π electrons of cyclopentene. An electrophilic bromine atom adds across the double bond, forming a cyclic bromonium ion intermediate.
Electrophilic Addition to Alkynes: Hydrohalogenation
Conversion of Alcohols to Alkyl Halides
α-Halogenation of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: Overview
Acid Halides to Esters: Alcoholysis
Base-Promoted α-Halogenation of Aldehydes and Ketones

