Selective Metabolism of Cyclodiene Insecticide Enantiomers by Pig Liver Microsomal Enzymes

Abstract

THE molecules of several cyclodiene insecticides such as heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, α-dihydroheptachlor¹, α-chlordane and β-chlordane are asymmetrical and so exist as racemic modifications capable, in principle, of being separated into enantiomeric forms. Such compounds contain no functional groups amenable to the usual methods for resolution of racemic modifications, and their separation into enantiomeric forms has not been effected, although these forms might conceivably exhibit interesting differences in their interaction with biological systems.