Carcinogenicity of Halo-Ethers<xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2">2</xref>

Abstract

Five halo-ethers, including compounds in which the chlorine atoms are α-,β- or γ- to the carbon-bearing ether oxygen atom, were tested for initiating, promoting, and carcinogenic activity on mouse skin. Two of the compounds were also tested (or carcinogenicity in rats by subcutaneous injection. Bis(chloromethyl)ether was carcinogenic by both routes of administration and also a potent initiating agent in two-stage carcinogenesis. Its monofunctional analog chloromethyl methyl ether was not carcinogenic for mouse skin but showed pronounced initiating activity in two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis. The irritant action of this compound and its hydrolysis products had no tumor-promoting effect after a single application of benzo[a]pyrene on mouse skin. The other 3 compounds tested and found inactive were: octachlorodi-n-propyl ether, α,α-dichloromethyl methyl ether, and monochloroacetaldehyde diethyl acetal. Structureactivity relationships of these compounds are discussed.