CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
| Physical Description | Hexachlorocyclohexane (all isomers) appears as white to yellow powder or flakes. Musty odor. The gamma isomer is known as lindane, a systemic insecticide. Toxic by ingestion or inhalation. |
|---|---|
| Color/Form | White or yellowish powder or flakes |
| Odor | Musty |
| Boiling Point | 323.4 °C |
| Melting Point | 112.5 °C |
| Solubility | 7.3 mg/L (at 25 °C) |
| Density | 1.675 |
| Vapor Pressure | VP: 0.0317 mm Hg at 20 °C |
| LogP | 3.72 |
| Stability/Shelf Life | Stable under recommended storage conditions. |
| Decomposition | Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions - Carbon oxides, hydrogen chloride gas. |
| Kovats Retention Index | 1655 1655 1656 1657 1657 1657 1659 1659 1690 1681 1650.8 1670.9 1739 1678.8 1694.4 1687.5 1693 1655.8 1646.4 1716.5 1640 1645 1645 1667.8 1690 |
| Other Experimental Properties | Technical grade contains 68.7$ alpha-BHC, 6.5% beta-BHC, 13.5 gamma-BHC |
SAFETY INFORMATION
| Signal word | Danger |
|---|---|
| Pictogram(s) |
 Skull and Crossbones Acute Toxicity GHS06  Health Hazard GHS08  Environment GHS09 |
| GHS Hazard Statements |
H301:Acute toxicity,oral H312:Acute toxicity,dermal H351:Carcinogenicity H362:Reproductive toxicity, effects on or via lactation H373:Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure H410:Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard |
| Precautionary Statement Codes |
P260:Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. P263:Avoid contact during pregnancy/while nursing. P273:Avoid release to the environment. P280:Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P301+P310:IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. |
COMPUTED DESCRIPTORS
| Molecular Weight | 290.8 g/mol |
|---|---|
| XLogP3 | 3.8 |
| Hydrogen Bond Donor Count | 0 |
| Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count | 0 |
| Rotatable Bond Count | 0 |
| Exact Mass | 289.857116 g/mol |
| Monoisotopic Mass | 287.860066 g/mol |
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 0 Ų |
| Heavy Atom Count | 12 |
| Formal Charge | 0 |
| Complexity | 104 |
| Isotope Atom Count | 0 |
| Defined Atom Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Defined Bond Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Covalently-Bonded Unit Count | 1 |
| Compound Is Canonicalized | Yes |
PRODUCT INTRODUCTION
description
Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) is a manufactured chemical that exists in eight chemical forms called isomers. One of these forms, gamma-HCH (or γ-HCH, commonly called lindane) is produced and used as an insecticide on fruit, vegetables, and forest crops. It is a white solid that may evaporate into the air as a colorless vapor with a slightly musty odor. It is also available as a prescription (lotion, cream, or shampoo) to treat head and body lice, and scabies. Lindane has not been produced in the United States since 1976, but is imported for insecticide use. Technical-grade HCH was used as an insecticide in the United States and typically contained 10-15% gamma-HCH as well as the alpha (α), beta (β), delta (δ), and epsilon (ε) forms of HCH. Virtually all the insecticidal properties resided in gamma-HCH. Technical-grade HCH has not been produced or used in the United States in over 20 years.