Naphthol

NAPHTHOL, Naphtholum, monoxynaphthalene, C₁₀H₇OH, exists in two isomers, alpha and beta, differing in the position of the hydroxyl in the molecule.

Alpha-Naphtholum, Beta-Naphtholum. Naphthols possess strong antiseptic and parasitotropic properties, which are more pronounced in alpha-naphthol, considered generally more poisonous than beta-naphthol, although some researchers disagree with this (Maximovich, Cushny). Naphthol is absorbed through the skin, irritating it and even causing inflammation if acting in a high concentration solution. The locally irritating effect of naphthol is manifested even more strongly on all mucous membranes—the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, and the gastrointestinal tract; it manifests as lacrimation, coughing, increased secretion of bronchial mucus, and diarrhea. Excreted through the kidneys, naphthol has a similar effect on them and can cause acute nephritis with the appearance of protein and hemoglobin in the urine; simultaneously, the urinary tracts are affected, which is manifested by pain in the bladder and urethra with difficulty in urination. Such an action of naphthol can occur even with its external application. In its toxic effect on the central nervous system, naphthol is similar to phenol, but the convulsive effect of naphthol is weaker: in acute naphthol poisoning in animals, there are first an increase and acceleration of respiration, muscle twitching, rarely convulsions, then a coma state, extinction of reflexes, and respiratory arrest. Absorbed naphthol can cause eye damage quite similar to that observed in naphthalene poisoning (see). Naphthol is excreted from the organism in combination with glucuronic and partly with sulfuric acids, and these compounds with their oxidation products (dioxynaphthalenes) color the urine a red-brown color, which darkens upon standing of the urine. Preparations. Beta-naphthol (see) (also used as an anthelmintic). Alpha-naphthol, a-Naphtholum, colorless crystals or white powder, sparingly soluble in water, easily in alcohol, chloroform, ether; used in the same way as beta-naphthol, but less frequently. Alphol, Alpholum, a-Naphtholum salicylicum, an ester of alpha-naphthol and salicylic acid, a white crystalline powder, insoluble in water, easily soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, fatty oils; used internally for gonorrhea and gonorrheal cystitis at 0.5 - 1.0 per dose. Betol, Betolum, Naphthosalolum, Naphthalolum, an ester of beta-naphthol and salicylic acid, a white crystalline powder, almost insoluble in water, easily in hot alcohol, ether, benzene; used externally in the form of bougies with cocoa butter (1:4) for gonorrhea; used internally at 0.3 - 0.5 several times a day for gonorrheal cystitis. Naphthoxol, Naphthoxolum, contains 2% naphthol, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and 38% alcohol; used externally for infected wounds as an antiseptic and deodorant. Naphthol-eucalyptol, Eunolum, a product of fusing naphthol with eucalyptol, has a strong aromatic odor; used externally as an antiseptic for wounds and for skin diseases of a parasitic character. Microcidin, Microcidinum, Natrium ?-naphtholicum, a white powder turning red under the action of light and air; used externally in an aqueous solution (0.5 : 100.0) as an antiseptic for infected wounds. Lactol, Lactolum, an ester of naphthol and lactic acid, an intestinal disinfectant; used internally at 0.3 - 1.0 per day. Naphtholum camphoratum; contains 1 part naphthol and 2 parts camphor; used externally for scabies and furunculosis. Orphol, Bismutum b-naphtholicum, beta-naphthol-bismuth, contains 26% naphthol and 74% bismuth; a dark gray powder almost tasteless and odorless, insoluble in water and alcohol. An intestinal disinfectant. Used internally for diarrhea, intestinal fermentation, intestinal tuberculosis, etc., at 0.5 - 1.0 three to five times a day for adults, at 0.05 - 0.3 two times a day for children.

M. Likhachev