Polychlorure

Polychlorure is a descriptive term used in chemistry to refer to organic compounds that bear multiple chlorine atoms attached to a carbon framework. The extent of chlorination can vary from a few chlorine substitutions to highly chlorinated structures, which in turn strongly influences properties such as volatility, solubility, chemical stability, and toxicity. In English, the more common form is usually polychlorinated, but polychlorure appears in some technical or historical contexts.

The class of polychloride compounds covers a wide range of substances. It includes polychlorinated benzenes, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polychlorinated pesticides formed by chlorination of various agricultural chemicals. Some polymers also contain chlorine as a repeating unit, such as polyvinyl chloride, which contributes to the polymer’s properties and handling. The term is used to describe both discrete molecules and chlorine-bearing polymers.

Environmental and health considerations are central to the discussion of polychlorides. Many polychlorides are persistent organic pollutants: they can resist degradation, accumulate in fatty tissues, and bioaccumulate through food chains. Some are toxic or disrupt biological systems, affecting the nervous, endocrine, or immune systems. Due to these risks, numerous polychlorinated compounds are subject to regulation and international controls, with particular attention given to PCBs and dioxin-like substances.

See also: organochlorines, chlorinated hydrocarbons, persistent organic pollutants.