Chlorobutanol
Chlorobutanol is an organic compound with the formula. It is a specifically a chlorohydrin. Chlorobutanol acts as a preservative, sedative, hypnotic, and weak local anesthetic similar in nature to chloral hydrate; it also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Chlorobutanol is typically used at a concentration of 0.5% where it lends long term stability to multi-ingredient formulations. However, it retains antimicrobial activity at 0.05% in water. Chlorobutanol has been used in the anesthesia and euthanasia of aquatic invertebrates and various fishes. It is a white, volatile solid with a camphor-like odor.
Synthesis
Chlorobutanol was first synthesized in 1881 by the German chemist Conrad Willgerodt.Chlorobutanol is formed by the reaction of chloroform and acetone in the presence of potassium or sodium hydroxide. It may be purified by sublimation or recrystallisation.
Parthenogenesis
Chlorobutanol has proven effective at stimulating parthenogenesis in sea urchin eggs up to the pluteus stage, possibly by increasing irritability to cause stimulation. For the eggs of the fish Oryzias latipes, however, chlorobutanol only acted as an anesthetic.Safety
It is an anesthetic agent with effects somewhat like isoflurane and halothane when ingestedChlorobutanol is also toxic to the liver, skin and eyes.