Metabolism of 4-chlorobenzotrichloride in rats

Special analytical methodology was developed for purification of 4-chloro(/sup 14/C)benzotrichloride, which is both volatile and hydrolytically unstable at milligram mass levels. When rats were given a single oral dose of 4-chloro(/sup 14/C)benzotrichloride at 1.5 mg/kg, within 4-6 days 87 and 9% of the applied /sup 14/C were excreted in urine and feces, respectively. The major urinary metabolite was identified as 4-chlorohippuric acid, representing 78% of the applied dose. While about two-thirds of the fecal /sup 14/C residues were unextractable with organic solvents, free 4-chlorobenzoic acid and ..cap alpha..,..cap alpha..,4,4'-tetrachlorostilbene contributed 10 and 8% of the fecal /sup 14/C. The metabolic production of ..cap alpha..,..cap alpha..,4,4'-tetrachlorostilbene appears to occur by a novel metabolic pathway.