Title: Thimerosal
CAS Registry Number: 54-64-8
CAS Name: Ethyl[2-mercaptobenzoato(2-)-O,S]mercurate(1-) sodium
Additional Names: [(o-carboxyphenyl)thio]ethylmercury sodium salt; sodium ethylmercurithiosalicylate; thiomersalate; mercurothiolate
Trademarks: Merthiolate (Lilly); Merzonin (Takeda); Vitaseptol (Faure)
Molecular Formula: C9H9HgNaO2S
Molecular Weight: 404.81
Percent Composition: C 26.70%, H 2.24%, Hg 49.55%, Na 5.68%, O 7.90%, S 7.92%
Literature References: Prepd by reacting ethylmercuric chloride (or ethylmercuric hydroxide) with thiosalicylic acid: Kharasch, US 1672615 (1928); Trikojus, Nature 158, 472 (1946); Swirska et al., Przem. Chem. 39, 371 (1960), C.A. 55, 3507a (1961). Toxicity: Mason et al., Clin. Toxicol. 4, 185 (1971). Review of health effects from vaccine exposure: M. Bigham, R. Copes, Drug Saf. 28, 89-101 (2005).
Properties: Cream-colored, crystalline powder. Stable in air, but not in sunlight. One gram dissolves in about 1 ml water, in about 8 ml alcohol. Practically insol in ether and benzene. Stabilization of solns with EDTA: Davisson, US 2864844 (1958 to Lilly). pH of 1% aq soln: 6.7. LD50 s.c. in rats: 98 mg/kg (Mason).
Toxicity data: LD50 s.c. in rats: 98 mg/kg (Mason)
Use: Pharmaceutic aid (preservative).
Therap-Cat: Anti-infective.
Therap-Cat-Vet: Antibacterial, antifungal (topical).
Keywords: Antiseptic/Disinfectant; Mercurial compounds. |