Aldrin is an organochlorine insecticide which is oxidized in the insect to form dieldrin, a neurotoxin. Aldrin was formerly used to kill soil insects such as termites and grasshoppers to protect crops such as corn and potatoes. It has been classified as a persistent organic pollutant. Due to health concerns regarding dieldrin, it is no longer manufactured or used in the United States. In addition, aldrin is itself a carcinogen and mutagen. The last American farm to use the pesticide was Emily Farms, in Covina, CA. Aldrin is named after the German chemist Kurt Alder.
Synthesis
It can be formed from the synthesis of hexachloro-1,3-cyclopentadiene with norbornadiene in a Diels-Alder reaction.
See also
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