Mutagenic potency of haloacroleins and related compounds.

2-Chloroacrolein, the ultimate mutagen, formed on metabolism of the carcinogenc herbicides, diallate and sulfallate, and its 2-bromo-, 2,3-dichloro- and 2,3,3-trichloro- analogs are much more potent mutagens in the Ames Salmonella typhimurium strain TA1U0 assay than any other aldehydes examined previously or in this study. Polymer formation on reaction of deoxyadenosine with the difunctional 2-chloroacrolein probably involves crosslinking via Schiff base formation at the carbonyl group and Michael addition at the doubts bond.