Methylpentynol

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Methylpentynol (Methylparafynol, Dormison, Atemorin) is a tertiary hexanol with hypnotic/sedative and anticonvulsant effects. It was discovered by Bayer in 1913 and was used shortly thereafter for the treatment of insomnia, but its use was quickly phased out in response to newer drugs with far more favorable safety profiles. To make meparfynol proper, the alcohol must be reacted with phosgene followed by ammonia to form the carbamate (see patent). Also, ethynylation of cyclohexanone is one of the preferred analogs