Dearden, J.C.; Cronin, M.T.D.; Schultz, T.W.; Lin, D.T. QSAR Study of the Toxicity of Nitrobenzenes to Tetrahymena pyriformis. QSAR Comb. Sci. 1995, 14, 5, 427–432.

Abstract

A QSAR analysis has been carried out of the toxicity of 47 mono-substituted nitrobenzenes to the aquatic ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis. The single most important parameter was the logarithm of the apparent partition coefficient (logD) at pH 7.35. 2- and 3-derivatives yielded an excellent correlation of toxicity with log D, Swain-Lupton field parameter and modulus of change of charge on the nitro group oxygen upon substitution. This is consistent with their behaving as pro-electrophiles. 4-derivatives, however, clearly had a different mode of action, with the best correlation being found with log D, molar refractivity and the Shannon index.