Sulfur-containing Metabolites of 2,5,2', 5'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl, a Major Component of Commercial PCB's

The excretion of four new metabolites of 2, 5, 2', 5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) in mice feces was revealed by gas chromatographic examination. Based on mass spectrometric data and syntheses, the structures of these metabolites were identified as 3-and 4-methyl-sulfonyl-2, 5, 2', 5'-TCB (I and II, respectively), and 3-and 4-methylthio-2, 5, 2', 5'-TCB (III and IV, respectively).