A method for predicting aerobic biodegradability of chemicals was developed
based on empirical knowledge, A flowchart was derived from rule of thumb r
elationships between the biodegradability and the number of the functional
groups and substructures in a certain skeletal structure of chemicals. The
flowchart classified chemicals into readily biodegradable, not readily biod
egradable and not predictable. It was validated by using MITI data of 177 m
ono benzene derivatives and 168 acyclic compounds, resulting in correct pre
diction at 94% and 88% levels, respectively. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.
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