1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one, also known as benzisothiazolone or BIT, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as benzothiazoles. These are organic compounds containing a benzene fused to a thiazole ring (a five-membered ring with four carbon atoms, one nitrogen atom and one sulfur atom). Based on a literature review a significant number of articles have been published on 1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one. 1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one is readily soluble in most organic solvents and soluble in hot water.

Production:

1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one is prepared from dithiosalicylic acid after cleavage with thionyl chloride/sulfuryl chloride, reaction with ammonia and sodium hydroxide solution and then treatment with hydrochloric acid.

Toxic Effects and Modes of Action

Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (BIT) has been shown in animal studies with the mouse, rat and rabbit to be of low acute toxicity. In the solutions in which BIT is used, concentrations above 0.05 % are irritating to the skin; the allergenic effects begin at 0.05 % and have been confirmed in a series of case and patch test studies. Nothing is known of systemic effects in man after uptake through the skin. The details of metabolism, toxicokinetics and elimination of BIT in man have also not been published. In animals BIT is rapidly and totally metabolized. Neither the substance itself nor the metabolites accumulate in the liver or adipose tissue. Excretion is mostly via the urine. The main metabolite is o-methylsulfinylbenzamide. In a teratogenicity study in rats, doses of BIT which were not toxic to the dams (10 and 40 mg/kg) were neither embryotoxic nor teratogenic. Neither in the Ames test, the micronucleus test, the mouse lymphoma test nor the UDS test was BIT mutagenic. Usable studies to determine whether BIT has carcinogenic activity have not been published to date.