Product of the month in April: Chloral hydrate

Chloral hydrate is chemically known as 2,2,2-trichloro-1,1-ethanediol. An organic compound that was discovered in 1832 by Justus von Liebig and has since played an important role in medicine and chemistry. The colorless crystals are water-soluble and melt at 51.6°C.

Chloral hydrate: Once known as a sedative

Choral hydrate is produced by reacting chloral with water. This condensation product is rapidly absorbed and metabolized.
Historically, chloral hydrate was used as a sleeping drug and sedative. The special feature: It ensures a short time to fall asleep and extends the duration of sleep. REM sleep is not suppressed. Due to various side effects and the risk of dependence, it is used less in the medical field these days.

An indispensable laboratory chemical to this day

However, it is still used as a solvent and reagent in the laboratory.
For example, it is used to produce trichloroethanol, which is required for various chemical syntheses.
In the field of histology, it is used to clarify tissue samples and prepare them for microscopic examination. It acts as a dehydrating agent to make the samples more transparent. In microscopy, chloral hydrate is used as a component of Melzer’s reagent, which is used to identify certain species of fungi.

Chloral hydrate is an essential chemical in many laboratories. With its versatile uses and important role in chemical research, it remains a valuable tool for scientists.

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