Chemical Properties
White crystals.
Definition
ChEBI: A member of the class of barbiturates taht is barbituric acid substituted at N-1 by methyl and at C-5 by methyl and cyclohex-1-enyl groups.
Description
Hexobarbital, 5-(cyclohexen-1-
yl)-1,5-dimethylbarbituric acid,Mr 236.26. The
acid forms colorless crystals that turn pink on exposure
to light, mp 146 ?C. A 10 % aqueous solution
of the sodium salt, Mr 258.25,
has a pH of 11.5.
Brand name
Cyclonal sodium;Cyclopan;Dorico soluble;Eviderm;Evipal sodium;Evipanl;Hexanal;Hexanastab oral.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Hexobarbital is a short-acting barbiturate. See WHO comment for
barbiturates.
Clinical Use
Methohexital sodium is a short-acting anesthetic
administered intravenously. It is very potent
and has the shortest duration of action
among the barbiturates used. A disturbing factor
is that rather frequently it causes hiccups directly
after injection. Patients are reported to recover
rapidly from anesthesia. Abuse can lead to addiction.
Synthesis
Hexobarbital sodium is prepared by condensation
of methyl(cyclohexen-1-yl)cyanoacetic
ester with dicyanodiamide to 5-(cyclohexen-
1-yl)-5-methyl-2,6-diimino-3-cyanobarbituric
acid, followed by methylation with dimethyl
sulfate and hydrolysis with 25 % sulfuric acid
.