Environmental fate of chlorinated bornanes estimated by theoretical descriptors

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 43; no. 4; pp. 665 - 674
• Main Authors: Heimstad, E.S., Smalås, A.O., Kallenborn, R.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2001; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bornanes - analysis; Bornanes - chemistry; Calculation; Degradation; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Exact sciences and technology; Global environmental pollution; Insecticides - analysis; Models, Theoretical; Molecular Structure; Pollution; Polychlorinated; SAR; Stability; Toxaphene; Degradation; Calculation; Toxaphene; Stability; Polychlorinated; SAR; Biodegradation; MO method; Insecticide; Molecular structure; Pollutant behavior; Pesticides; Thermodynamic stability; Forecast model; Modeling; Persistence; Persistent organic pollutant; Pollution; Energy; Organochlorine compounds; Chlorine Organic compounds; Camphechlor; Environment; Property structure relationship
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/S0045-6535(00)00419-7

Theoretical molecular descriptors have been calculated for 36 polychlorinated bornanes, the majority compound class of the insecticide Toxaphene. The results demonstrate that thermodynamic stability by the use of molecular structural energies can be used as a general parameter for persistence. Since these descriptors agree well with polychlorinated bornanes found in the environment, these compounds should be included as important indicator compounds in future trace analytical investigations of polychlorinated bornanes and also within experimental metabolism studies to investigate potential toxic metabolites. Reactivity descriptors such as electronaffinity, hardness, LUMO location and atomic charges may guide to potential chemical reactions like the dechlorination of polychlorinated bornanes in reductive environment. Further it is advised to use these descriptors and other new potential ones in combination with experimental degradation and toxicology studies to explore the relationship between molecular structure and biological effects of chlorobornanes.