chlorobutanol

Chlorobutanol is a colorless to white crystalline compound with a camphoraceous odor and taste. It is an alcohol-based preservative widely used in pharmaceutical solutions—especially injectables and ophthalmic preparations—due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties[5][3][7]. Chlorobutanol also exhibits sedative-hypnotic effects and weak local anesthetic actions similar to chloral hydrate[5][4]. Its mechanism of action includes disruption of cell membrane lipids leading to increased permeability and cell lysis; it can inhibit voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav 1.2) in neurons at concentrations lower than those used for preservation[8][4]. Additionally, it inhibits hERG potassium channels at millimolar concentrations[6], which may contribute to its negative inotropic effects on cardiac tissue. Chlorobutanol is not commonly used as a systemic sedative due to its long terminal half-life (about 37 days), which leads to accumulation with repeated dosing[2]. It was first synthesized by Conrad Willgerodt in 1881.

Other names

trichloro-2-methyl-2-propanoltrichloro2-methyl-2-propanoltrichloro 2-methyl-2-propanol1,1,1-trichloro-2-methylpropan-2-ol1,1,1-trichloro-tert-butyl alcohol2,2,2-trichloro-1,1-dimethylethanol2-propanol 1,1,1-trichloro-2-methyl-trichlorisobutylalcohol