Metabolism of chlorinated naphthalenes.

The compounds’ studied were naphthalene, 1-chloronaphthalene, and di-, tetra-, penta-, hepta-, and octachloronaphthalenes. The polychlorinated naphthalene samples were in every case within 2 per cent of the theoretical value with respect to chlorine content, although several isomeric forms were present in each sample. Male albino rabbits (approximately 2 kilos in weight) were kept on a standard diet of oats and cabbage during the course of the experiments. Complete 24 hour urine samples were collected daily for a 4 day period before the administration of the compounds. At the end of the control period, 1 gm. of naphthalene or a chlorinated naphthalene, dissolved or suspended in liquid petrolatum, was administered by stomach tube. Subsequent 24 hour urine samples were collected over a 4 day period. Each urine sample was diluted to a convenient volume with water and analyzed for the following excretory products: creatinine, glucosiduronic acids, phenolic compounds, sulfur pa&ions, and mercapturic acid. Creatinine was determined by a photometric modification of Folin’s picric acid method (3). Glucosiduronic acids were assayed by the procedure described by Hanson et al. (4). Phenolic compounds were determined with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (5), with phenol as a standard. Equi-