Chlorinated phenols as metabolites of lindane. Evaluation of the degree of conjugation in rat urine.

After lindane was administered to rats in a single oral dose, the time profile of the degree of conjugation of the main phenolic metabolites was evaluated. In all urine samples 2,3-dichlorophenol, 2,4,5- and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, and 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenol were constantly present. 2,3,5,6-Tetrachlorophenol and then 2,4,6-trichlorophenol were the prevalent metabolites in all cases. The degree of conjugation did not correlate with the dissociation constant of individual chlorinated phenols. Phenol conjugation declined with time after administration.