Biochemical studies of toxic agents. 9. The metabolic conversion of indence into <i>cis</i>- and <i>trans</i>-indane-1:2-diol

Abstract

The biological actions of indene have received little attention. Administration of the hydrocarbon to dogs with biliary fistulae was shown by Smith & Whipple (1930) to increase the flow of bile and also to produce marked toxic effects. The toxicity of indene was investigated by Cameron & Doniger (1939) in connexion with the presence of the compound in certain coal-tar-naphtha insecticides. They concluded that indene is not highly toxic. It was found, for example, that rats (180-200 g. body wt.) survived the subcutaneous injection of 0-5 g. of the compound. Rats developed fatty livers and died, however, after doses of 1 0 g. of indene. Indene was ainistered to rabbits by