Dimercaprol, also known as British anti-Lewisite (BAL), is a chelating agent used for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning, particularly arsenic, mercury, and lead. Here’s some information on the preparation, test for purity, assay, and medicinal uses of Dimercaprol:
SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR ACTUAL NOTES.
Preparation of Dimercaprol:
Dimercaprol can be prepared by reacting thiosalicylic acid with 2-chloroethanol. The reaction forms a thioether compound, which is then oxidized using an oxidizing agent like hydrogen peroxide. The final product obtained is Dimercaprol.
Test for Purity of Dimercaprol:
Several tests can be conducted to assess the purity of Dimercaprol, including the following:
- Melting point determination: The melting point of pure Dimercaprol is around 100-105°C. A melting point analysis can be performed to check if the observed melting point matches the expected range.
- Thin-layer chromatography (TLC): TLC can be employed to evaluate the purity of Dimercaprol by comparing the chromatogram of the sample with that of a known pure reference sample.
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC): HPLC analysis can be performed to determine the impurity profile and quantify any impurities present in the Dimercaprol sample.
Assay of Dimercaprol:
An assay is performed to determine the concentration or purity of Dimercaprol in a given sample. The assay method for Dimercaprol generally involves titration with a suitable standardized solution, such as iodine, using a suitable indicator. The assay determines the percentage or content of Dimercaprol present in the sample.
Medicinal Uses of Dimercaprol:
Dimercaprol is primarily used as a chelating agent for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning. It forms stable complexes with heavy metals, enhancing their elimination from the body. Some specific medicinal uses of Dimercaprol include:
- Arsenic Poisoning: Dimercaprol is highly effective in the treatment of acute arsenic poisoning.
- Mercury Poisoning: Dimercaprol is used in the treatment of mercury poisoning, especially when the mercury has been ingested or inhaled.
- Lead Poisoning: Dimercaprol is also employed in the treatment of lead poisoning, particularly in cases of severe toxicity.
ACTUAL NOTES:
PATH: PHARMD/PHARMD NOTES/ PHARMD FIRST YEAR NOTES/ ORGANIC CHEMISTRY/ PHARMACEUTICAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY/ DIMERCAPROL.
