The hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) are a very well known and widely studied class of organochlorine pesticides. Because of their widespread global usage over the past 5 decades, HCHs are ubiquitous in the environment. With the molecular formula of C 6 H 6 Cl 6 , there are 8 known HCH isomers, which differ in the axial versus equatorial orientation of the chlorine substituents. Among these isomers, alpha (α), gamma (γ ), beta (β), and delta (δ), HCHs are of major environmental significance. The authors' primary objective is to review the properties, reactivity, and chemical reaction pathways of HCHs in the context of natural attenuation and accelerated remediation of HCHs. The structural differences contributing to the varying physical and chemical properties of the isomers, classical reaction pathways of substitution, nonreductive elimination, and reductive elimination, are summarized and discussed. In addition, recent research results on the application of nanoscale zero valent iron for treatments of HCH-contaminated groundwater are also presented.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.