Polychlorinated biphenyls nomenclature

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have attracted considerable attention in recent decades, owing to concern over their potential adverse effects in humans and wildlife, which are compounded by their ubiquitous environmental presence and resistance to degradation. Amongst the 75 possible PCDDs, 135 PCDFs and 209 PCBs, there exists wide variation in physicochemical properties, bioaccumulative tendencies and toxicity. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the basic structures and nomenclature of both PCDDs, PCDFs collectively referred to as PCDD/Fs-and PCBs. 

Table 4.1 The lUPAC nomenclature for the stable enantiomers (atropisomers) of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)...

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, 12-133) are compounds structurally similar to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The numbering of209 individual PBDE congeners is analogous to the lUPAC nomenclature used for numbering PCBs (Figure 12.46). The basic skeleton is diphenyl ether with a different number and location of bromine atoms. 209 possible congeners can be derived, which... 

---