2,2,2-Trichloroethanol is the chemical compound with formulaCl3C−CH2OH. Its molecule can be described as that of ethanol, with the three hydrogen atoms at position 2 (the methyl group) replaced by chlorine atoms. It is a clear flammable liquid at room temperature, colorless when pure but often with a light yellow color.[1][2]
The pharmacological effects of this compound in humans are similar to those of its prodrugchloral hydrate, and of chlorobutanol. Historically, it has been used as a sedative hypnotic.[3] The hypnotic drug triclofos (2,2,2-trichloroethyl phosphate) is metabolized in vivo to 2,2,2-trichloroethanol. Chronic exposure may result in kidney and liver damage.[4]
2,2,2-Trichloroethanol can be added to SDS-PAGE gels in order to enable fluorescent detection of proteins without a staining step, for immunoblotting or other analysis methods.[5]
^S. Budavari; M. O'Neil; Ann Smith; P. Heckelman; J. Obenchain (15 March 1996). The Merck Index (12th print ed.). Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-911910-12-4.
^Ladner, Carol (March 2004). "Visible fluorescent detection of proteins in polyacrylamide gels without staining". Analytical Biochemistry. 326 (1): 13–20. doi:10.1016/j.ab.2003.10.047. PMID14769330.
^Lowder, Patrick D. (2001-04-15), "2,2,2-Trichloroethanol", Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, doi:10.1002/047084289x.rt203, ISBN 978-0471936237
