Acute toxicity and primary irritancy of 2-amino-3,5-dicyano-4-o-chlorophenyl-6-ethoxypyridine.

2-Amino-3,5-dicyano-4-o-chlorophenyl-6-ethoxypyridine (ACCPE) is a water soluble compound formed during the alkaline treatment of the alcoholic liquor in the production of 2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS). The acute toxicity and primary irritancy of ACCPE and CS were investigated and compared. Both perorally and intravenously, ACCPE was significantly less acutely toxic than CS. Also, whilst CS was a moderate dermal and eye irritant, ACCPE was not a primary skin irritant and only marginally irritating to the eye. ACCPE presents a significantly lower acute handling hazard than does CS.