Chloretone
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Chloretone is a tertiary trichloroisobutyl alcohol used as a hypnotic, local anesthetic, and antiseptic. It resembles chloral hydrate but is more stable and less irritating to tissues.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
CHLORETONE, tertiary trichloroisobutyl alcohol (incorrectly: acetone-chloroform) CCl3 >C OH + - H2O. Colorless crystals (CH3)2/
2 with a characteristic 'moldy' odor, sparingly soluble in water, more easily in hot water, easily in alcohol, glycerin, and ether. Melts at 80-81°, anhydrous at 91°. Obtained by condensation of chloroform and acetone in the presence of caustic potash: (CH3)2CO + CHCl3----► HOCCl3(CH3)2- By its pharmacological properties, Ch. resembles chloral hydrate, differing from it by greater stability and significantly less pronounced local irritating action. Used as a hypnotic, more often as a non-toxic local anesthetic and antiseptic. Internally in doses of 0.3-1.5 for dysphagia, seasickness. Externally in 1-10% ointment for burns, itching and other phenomena of irritation of the skin's sensitive nerves. In laryngology in the form of inhalations with liquid paraffin or oil in a 1% solution ('chloretone inhalant'). The local anesthetic action of Ch. is rather weak but prolonged. Ch. has significance mainly as a preservative for easily changing medicaments, for example solutions of adrenaline. Recently, numerous esters of Ch. have been proposed as sedative and hypnotic agents.
Related articles
Cite this page
“Chloretone.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/chloretone/