Acute toxicity of four alkylphenols (3-tert-butyl-, 2-isopropyl-, 3-propropyl-, and 4-isopropyl-phenol) and their binary mixtures to Microtox, with comparisons to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas

Toxicity evaluations of 3-tert-butyl-, 2-isopropyl-, 3-isopropyl- and 4-propyl-phenol and their binary mixtures were performed with the Microtox$\^$(R) / assay and compared to invertebrates and fish. The single chemical, 4-isopropylphenol, exhibited the greatest relative toxicity to the Microtox organism (Vibrio fischeri). The relative electrophilicity (LUMO) of the phenols, in contrast to the lipophilicity (Log P), was strongly correlated with toxicity to V fischeri (r$^2$=0.96, p<0.01). In contrast, relative electrophilicity alone could not explain variances in toxicity of the phenols to Ceriodaphnia dubia. Results suggest that electrophilicity in conjunction with lipophilicity provide better correlation with toxicity to C. dubia and Pimephales promelas. Microtox results from the binary mixture toxicity tests of selected phenolics indicate a mechanism of interaction governed by suppression/antagonism.