DHT Full Form

• DDT is a chemical organochlorine compound which is basically used as an insecticide in agriculture.

• This compound was first found in 1874 by Othamar Zeidler, an Austrian physicist.

• And its insecticidal action was first discovered by Pauly Mueller who was a Swiss chemist. It is actually prepared by heating chloral and chlorobenzene. 

• DDT also has some harmful effects as a insective, since it is likely considered to be a human carcinogen. 

• It is widely used as an insecticide in agriculture to control the damage caused by pests and insects. But DDT is also a pollutant since it can prevail in soil for a long period of time and may cause harmful effects 

Structure of DDT:

DDT is the Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane which has a chemical formula as:

 C14 H9 Cl5 , A chlorophenyl ethane. It’s IUPAC name is 1,1,1 – trichloro – 2,2 – diphenylethane, which is commonly called as Organochlorine insecticide. 

The structure of DDT:

Which has two benzene rings attached together with Chlorine. To form DDT.

 Preparation:

It is prepared by heating Chloral and Chlorobenzene in a 2:1 ratio with concentrated Sulphuric  acid. Also by consecutive Friedel Crafts reactions.  

Properties of DDT:

DDT is insoluble in water or water repellent , that is, it is Hydrophobic in nature. But it is soluble in some organic compounds and also some fats and oils. 

 It is a compound is actually synthesised by consecutive Friedel – Crafts reactions of CCl3CHO (chloral) and C6H5 Cl (Chlorobenzene) in presence of Sulphuric acid.

It is also found in multiple forms like solutions in xylene or granules, aerosols, emulsifiable concentrates. And in case of it’s usage as an insecticide it is available in solid crystal form.

 Chemical properties:

• The chemical properties of DDT include a melting point of 108.5 degree celsius and a boiling point of 260 degree celsius. 

• The molar mass of DDT is 354.48 gram per mole. 

• It has a density of 0.99 gram per centimetre cube.

 Physical properties:

 It is a colourless, tasteless and odourless chemical compound which is in white colour and it is a solid – crystalline compound, When used as an insecticide or pesticide for soil to eradicate pests.

 Uses:

It is used as an insecticide to eradicate insects and pests that spoil the soil fertility. And another important use is it was used for malaria control , also to eradicate insects borne diseases like typhus etc. 

 Hazardous characteristics:

DDT has several isomeric forms like ortho para DDT and meta para DDT. 

DDT is an organic pollutant which can be easily absorbed by soils and also sediments which has a soil half life range of 22 years to 30 years. 

The breakdown products and metabolites are:

DDE(Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene) and DDD(Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane), 

which has similar physical and chemical properties as DDT.

 As it is a human carcinogen, it is an endocrine disruptor, Although the studies suggest it is not directly genotoxic. 

 It is dangerous since it can increase the tendency of creation of high lipid levels in the body and can also affect the reproductive abilities of the embryos and foetus.

• It could affect the thyroid glands of humans.

• It also can cause pancreatic cancer and also liver cancers whereas it increases hepatocellular carcinoma risk.

 DDT also causes major risk factors like breast cancers which was found from several meta-analyses by researchers. According to the National Toxicology Program, the case study shows that DDT exposure can cause breast cancer among some subgroups of women.

DDT was also used for malaria control. Which was used as antimalarial drugs.

But although it has these many hazardous properties, it has successful rates in controlling pests and managing sustainability in regards to pest control. 

But usage DDT has some restrictions in accordance within its chemical properties that it must be used in proper amounts and quantity in order to avoid dangerous traits of it. 

In agriculture it has found its greatest value as serving as a pesticide. Also after World War 2, DDT was used to eradicate insect borne diseases like malaria, typhus among the country’s civilians or people and also among the troops or army people. 

 Also DDT was banned in some countries due to its dome of the dangerous hazardous properties like causing different types of cancers among people and due to their carcinogenic properties, it can harm soil and human beings when used at a major extent since it can stay up in soil for years causing specific effects on environment and surroundings.

Conclusion:

DDT is the Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane which is from an organochlorine family or classification. It is used as an insecticide in agriculture to eradicate insects and pests that spoil the soil fertility and must be used in proper amounts or specific quantities in order to avoid the hazardous traits caused due to it. Incase of over usage it can cause cancers like liver cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancers in the human body since it is carcinogenic to human beings. It is basically prepared by heating Chloral and Chlorobenzene with sulphuric acids on specific heating temperatures.