Bicycloheptadiene dibromides

Three researchers were synthesizing a series of new chemicals called bicycloheptadiene dibromides. These compounds had never been made or previously been reported. During their work to prepare these compounds, these chemists were exposed to these compounds but the extent of exposure was not reported and was probably unknown. Nevertheless, two of the three researchers developed similar pulmonary disorders that were fatal. The third scientist became sensitized to these compounds. Further research with these compounds was discontinued. 

S. WiNSTEiN. Bicycloheptadiene dibromides. Journal of the American Chemical Society 83 1516—1517 (1961). 

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