Chloral hydrate

• Trichloraldehydhydrat
• 2,2,2- Trichloracetaldehydhydrat
• 2,2,2 -trichloro -1 ,1 -ethanediol

N05CC01

Colorless transparent crystals

Hypnotics

Fixed

1.91 g · cm -3 ( 20 ° C)

52 ° C.

97.5 ° C

1300 Pa ( 20 ° C)

• Very well in water (6600 g · l-1 ) (20 ° C)
• Soluble in diethyl ether and ethanol

Risk

• 479 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)
• 4-30 g ( LDLO, man, oral)

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Chloral hydrate, the first sleeping pill synthetic material was. It is produced during the reaction of chloral with water and therefore belongs to the group of aldehyde hydrates.

Discovery

It was first produced in 1832 by Justus von Liebig. Oskar Liebreich in 1869 it tested for its suitability as a sleep aid in the mistaken assumption that it would be converted in the body into chloroform, since it was known that chloral hydrate in the presence of alkalis in chloroform and formate decomposes (see haloform reaction). Chloral hydrate was similar common as later benzodiazepines. In the first 18 months after its launch, 17 million individual doses were consumed in England.

Application

Chloral hydrate is converted as the main active ingredient in the body in 2,2,2 - trichloroethanol. It occurs mainly in older patients used because they react partially paradoxical benzodiazepines. As with other organic halogen compounds, there is a risk of sensitization of the myocardium to catecholamines. Because of the side effects and emanating from it addictive ( Chloralismus ) is chloral hydrate prescription and today does not mean much more.

Previously used to chloral hydrate sometimes also used to treat whooping cough, neuralgia, in Huntington's disease ( chorea ) and against seasickness. Was applied externally for the treatment of wounds and ulcers. In veterinary medicine, it was used as a narcotic.

The mechanism of action is based on a GABAa receptor complex with amplification of GABA action. Chloral hydrate has the advantage that it does not affect the sleep profile and a rapid onset of action.

Chloral hydrate is still used today as Pflanzenaufheller in microscopy to determine / interpretation of parts of plants, as any existing strength is decomposed and plant-specific by heating this mixture cells easier to see.

Particularity

Chloral hydrate is one of the few compounds that contradict the Erlenmeyer rule. Under this rule, two hydroxyl groups on the same carbon atom ( geminal diol ) are not stable and usually lead to the elimination of water. Due to the strong inductive effect of the three - chlorine atom on the adjacent carbon atom, but this reaction is inhibited and stabilizes the molecule.

Trade names

Germany: Chloraldurat 500 and 250 mg: soft gelatin capsules for short-term treatment of insomnia. Chloraldurat blue 250 mg: Enteric soft gelatin capsules for short-term treatment of sleeping through the night without falling asleep.

Switzerland: Chloraldurat red 500 and 250 mg Capsules for short-term treatment of sleep disorders requiring treatment. Nervifene solution: For sleeping and falling asleep.