Aldrin

Overview
Aldrin is an organochlorine insecticide which is oxidized in the insect to form dieldrin, a neurotoxin. Aldrin was formerly used to kill soil insects such as termites and grasshoppers to protect crops such as corn and potatoes. It has been classified as a persistent organic pollutant. Due to health concerns regarding dieldrin, it is no longer manufactured or used in the United States. In addition, aldrin is itself a carcinogen and mutagen. The last American farm to use the pesticide was Emily Farms, in Covina, CA.

It can be formed from the synthesis of hexachloro-1,3-cyclopentadiene with norbornadiene in a Diels-Alder reaction.