Methylpentynol
Methylpentynol (Methylparafynol, Dormison, Atemorin, Oblivon) is a tertiary hexanol with hypnotic/sedative and anticonvulsant effects and an exceptionally low therapeutic index. It was discovered by Bayer in 1913[1] and was used shortly thereafter for the treatment of insomnia, but its use was quickly phased out in response to newer drugs with far more favorable safety profiles.[2][3][4][5]
Clinical data | |
---|---|
Trade names | Oblivon |
Routes of administration | oral |
ATC code | |
Legal status | |
Legal status |
|
Identifiers | |
IUPAC name
| |
CAS Number | |
PubChem CID | |
ChemSpider | |
UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.960 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C6H10O |
Molar mass | 98.143 g/mol g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
SMILES
| |
InChI
| |
|
The drug was marketed again in the United States, Europe and elsewhere from 1956 well into the 1960s as a rapid-acting sedative; The drug was quickly overshadowed at that point by benzodiazepines and is no longer sold anywhere [6]
Synthesis
Methylpentynol is prepared by reaction of butanone (MEK) with sodium acetylide. This reaction must be done in anhydrous conditions and in an inert atmosphere.
References
- DE patent 289800, "Verfahren zur Darstellung der Oxyalkylderivate von Kohlenwasserstoffen", issued 1913-11-30, assigned to Bayer, Leverkusen
- Hirsh, H. L.; Orsinger, W. H. (1952). "Methylparafynol--a new type hypnotic. Preliminary report on its therapeutic efficacy and toxicity". American practitioner and digest of treatment. 3 (1): 23–26. PMID 14903452.
- Schaffarzick, R. W.; Brown, B. J. (1952). "The anticonvulsant activity and toxicity of methylparafynol (dormison) and some other alcohols". Science. 116 (3024): 663–665. doi:10.1126/science.116.3024.663. PMID 13028241.
- Herz, A. (1954). "A new type of hypnotic; unsaturated tertiary carbinols; experimental studies on therapeutic use of 3-methyl-pentin-ol-3 (methylparafynol)". Arzneimittel-Forschung. 4 (3): 198–199. PMID 13159700.
- Weaver, L. C.; Alexander, W. M.; Abreu, B. E. (1961). "Anticonvulsant activity of compounds related to methylparafynol". Archives Internationales de Pharmacodynamie et de Thérapie. 131: 116–122. PMID 13783544.
- Richard Devenport Hines, The Pursuit of Oblivion (2002) pp 327
- W. Grimene and H. Emde, German Patent 959,485 (1957).