GB768778A - Chloral derivatives and methods for their preparation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention comprises a hemiacetal of chloral with a non-toxic polyhydric alcohol having the formula R(OH)n, where R represents a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms and n represents an integer from 3 to 6, said hemiacetal having the formula <FORM:0768778/IV(b)/1> where x represents an integer from 3 to 6 which is never greater than n. Such compounds are obtained by heating a mixture of the alcohol and x equivalents of chloral under anhydrous conditions at the temperature of reflux of chloral from the mixture until the point of constant reflux rate is reached and then cooling the mixture. Examples describe the preparation by such a method of (1) pentaerythritol tetrachloral hemiacetal; (2) mannitol tetrachloral hemiacetal; (3) sorbitol tetrachloral hemiacetal; (4) mannitol hexachloral hemiacetal; (5) sorbitol hexachloral hemiacetal; (6) glycerol trichloral hemiacetal; (7) pentaerythritol trichloral hemiacetal.ALSO:A therapeutic sedative and hypnotic composition comprises a hemiacetal of chloral with a non-toxic polyhydric alcohol having the formula R(OH)n, where R represents a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms and n represents an integer from 3 to 6, said hemiacetal having the formula:- <FORM:0768778/VI/1> where x represents an integer from 3 to 6 which is never greater than n, together with a carrier. The compounds can be formed into dosage forms such as tablets, capsules or suppositories with carriers, binders and excipients. Specific compounds, the preparation of which is described (see Group IV(b)) are pentaerythritol tri- and tetrachloral hemiacetals, mannitol tetra- and hexachloral hemiacetals, sorbitol tetra- and hexachloral hemiacetals, and glycerol trichloral hemiacetal.