Disposition and metabolism of diphenyl ether in rats

Abstract

1. After i.p. administration of [¹⁴C]diphenyl ether (5 mg/kg) to rats, radioactivity was detected rapidly in all organs and tissues.

2. After intragastric administration of [¹⁴C]diphenyl ether (10 mg/kg) to rats, unchanged diphenyl ether in the blood was at max. concn. within 15 h and decreased linearly with time, with a biological half-life of about 1–5 h.

3. More than 90% of the intragastrically administered dose was excreted in urine and faeces within three days; >80% dose was in the urine.

4. From g.l.c. and mass-spectral data, it was shown that rats metabolized diphenylether to its 2-hydroxy, 4-hydroxy, 4,4′-dihydroxy, 4-methoxy-monohydroxy and 4-methoxy-dihydroxy derivatives.