Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, also known as C-56, is an organochlorine compound that is a precursor to several pesticides. This colourless liquid is an inexpensive reactive diene. Many of its derivatives proved to be highly controversial, as studies showed them to be persistent organic pollutants. Collectively, the pesticides derived from hexachlorocyclopentadiene are called the cyclodienes. An estimated 270,000 tons were produced until 1976, and some are still manufactured by Velsicol Chemical Corporation in the US and by Jiangsu Anpon Electrochemicals Co. in China.

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene is prepared by chlorination of cyclopentadiene to give 1,1,2,3,4,5-octachlorocyclopentane, which in a second step undergoes dehydrochlorination:

Hexachlorocyclopentadiene readily undergoes the Diels-Alder reaction to give a variety of adducts that were commercialized as pesticides. The main derivatives are:

Additionally hexachlorocyclopentadiene is the precursor to the pesticides mirex and kepone, although these are not classified as cyclodienes.

Almost all derivatives have been banned or are under consideration for banning, according to the deliberations of the .

In addition to regulatory pressures, these pesticides became less effective owing to genetic mutations of the targeted insects. The number of insects resistant to cyclodienes and lindane approached 300 by 1989.

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