2: POLY( p-XYLYLENE)S 63
2.7 Safety
Not much is known about the toxicity of cycloph-
anes. p-Xylylenes, cyclophanes, and halogen-subst-
ituted p-xylylenes show minor toxic effects [133].
However, the polymer class is extensively used in
medical applications. The cytotoxicity of poly(2(3)-
(4-phenylbutyl)-1,4-phenyleneethylene) has been
tested by in vitro experiments and showed mild
toxicity [18].
References
[1] Szwarc M. The p-quinodimethane molecule.
Discuss Faraday Soc 1947:46–9.
[2] Szwarc M. The C−−H bond energy in toluene
and xylene. J Chem Phys 1948;16:128–36.
[3] Szwarc M. Poly-para-xylelene: its chemistry
and application in coating technology. Polym
Eng Sci 1976;16:473–9.
[4] Gorham WF. Alkylated di-p-xylylenes. US
patent 3117168, assigned to Union