Dibenzo-1,4-dioxin
Dibenzo-1,4-dioxin, also dibenzodioxin or dibenzo-"p"-dioxin (dibenzo-"para"-dioxin), is a polycyclic heterocyclic organic compound in which two benzene rings are connected by a 1,4-dioxin ring. Its molecular formula is CHO. The two oxygen atoms occupy opposite ("para"-) positions in the six-membered dioxin ring. Dibenzodioxin is the carbon skeleton of the poisonous polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), often called dioxins. The most harmful PCDD is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD). Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds is a category of pollutants that includes PCDDs and other compounds that have similar structure, toxicity, and persistence. Dibenzodioxin is also the skeleton of the polybrominated dibenzodioxins . Isomer. The general name dibenzodioxin usually refers to dibenzo-"p"-dioxin. The isomeric compound dibenzo-"o"-dioxin (dibenzo-"ortho"-dioxin) or dibenzo-1,2-dioxin, like the unstable 1,2-dioxin, has two adjacent oxygen atoms ("ortho"-). No detailed information is available on this isomer, but it is expected to be highly unstable, with peroxide-like characteristics.