Environmental chemistry of substitutes for polychlorinated biphenyls. I. Composition and properties of an alkylchlorobiphenyl product.

The composition of a technical alkylchlorobiphenyl mixture, proposed as a substitute for polychlorinated biphenyls, has been investigated by spectral and chromatographic methods. Gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed the presence of a large number of biphenyls substituted with 2-3 chlorine atoms and 0-4 isopropyl groups. The mixture was dechlorinated as a first step toward structure elucidation of the individual components. The behavior of the alkylchlorobiphenyls during analytical cleanup steps such as thin layer chromatography and chromic acid oxidation was also investigated.