56 
groups, one by a methyl (CH 3 ) and the fourth by an ethyl (C 2 H 5 ) 
group. (For method of preparation see Sulphonmethanum. ) 
Character. — Colorless, lustrous, odorless, crystalline scales which 
have a bitter taste in aqueous solution.” 
Solubility. — ” Soluble in 195 parts of water, more readily in boiling 
water, and readily soluble in alcohol and ether.” 
It melts at 76 c C. : hence if a test-tube containing some of the 
powder be placed in hot water, the substance will melt: Sulphonmeth- 
anum (the melting point of which is 125. 5 C C.) will not melt under 
these circumstances. 
The aqueous solution should be neutral to litmus paper: no odor 
should be evolved when 1 Gm. is dissolved in 50 Cc. of boiling water. 
Dose. — u Average dose: 1 Gm. (15 grains).” (17. S. P.) 
The German Pharmacopoeia fixes 2 Gm. as the largest single dose 
and d Gm. as the maximum amount to be given in one dav. 
Caution. — Should not be combined in full dose with full doses of 
other drugs of similar physiological action, e. g., Hydrated Chloral, 
Chloralformamide, Sulphonmethane. etc. 
STLPHOMIETHAXOI. 
Sulplionmetliaiie. 
( Sulphonal . ) 
(CH 3 ) 2 C(S0 2 CoH 5 ) 2 
This substance is commonly known by the trade name, sulphonal — a 
name which has been adopted by the British and several other Phar- 
macopoeias. It should not be confused with Sulphonethylmethanum 
(q. v.). 
Chemistry. — Chemieallv it is diethylsulphonedimethylmethane 
CH_ ^ ^ SOX7H- 
('!!, '' '■'SO.CJI, 
The chemical structure of this substance, as well 
as that of Sulphonethylmethane. is explained by the following reac- 
tions involved in one process of its manufacture: acetone and ethyl- 
rnercaptan unite (under the influence of dry hydrochloric acid gas) to 
form dimethyldiethylmercaptol 
CHo. 
CHo 
CO 
9 FT ‘dP TT — ^^3 
_n^L 2 n 5 - CI j 3 
>r SC. 2 H 5 
SC 0 H- 
H,0 
Acetone 
Ethylmereaptan 
Dimethyl-diethylmercaptol 
Through oxidation with potassium permanganate the sulphur atoms 
combine with oxygen to form sulphone (S0 2 ) groups; the resulting 
product is diethylsulphonedimethylmethane (CH 3 ) 2 C(S0 2 C 2 H 5 ) 2 — a 
name shortened in the Pharmacopoeia to Sulphonmethane. It may be 
regarded as methane (CHJ in which two hydrogen atoms are replaced 
by methyl (CH 3 ) groups and two by ethylsulphone (S0 2 C 2 H 5 ) groups. 
