From the Chemical Laboratory of the American Medical Association
According to the label, “Chlorlyptus” is a “Synthatized Chlorinated Oil of Eucalyptos, with Acid Reaction, containing approximately 30 per cent. Chlorine and possesses excellent Germicidal Properties, when made under our special process.” It is manufactured by the Weeks Chemical Company, Philadelphia, Pa. This product was submitted to the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry by the manufacturers, and in turn the Laboratory was asked to examine it with the idea of comparing it with the nonproprietary brands of “chlorinated eucalyptol” (used as a solvent for dichloramine-T; see New and Nonofficial Remedies, 1919, p. 70). In the submission, certain tests were described, most of which were followed. Among the statements given under the chemical properties of chlorlyptus are:
“On distillation, chlorlyptus begins to boil at about 100 C. The temperature rises as the distillation continues, accompanied by the decomposition of the chlorlyptus and the evolution of hydrochloric acid and chlorine.”
“When brought into contact with water, chlorlyptus undergoes a process of hydrolysis ...”
Notwithstanding the foregoing the statement is made on the label that chlorlyptus “is a Stable Compound, not affected by heat, light or water.”
The following comparisons of chlorlyptus, chlorinated eucalyptol-Abbott and chlorinated eucalyptol-Squibb were made:
Chlorlyptus is a viscous, dark brown liquid, with an acrid odor and having a specific gravity of 1.2098. Chlorinated eucalyptol-Abbott is a mobile, light yellow liquid, with a eucalyptus odor, having a specific gravity of 0.9317. Chlorinated eucalyptol-Squibb is a mobile, colorless liquid, and its specific gravity is 0.9303.
An alcoholic solution of silver nitrate added to an alcoholic solution of chlorlyptus yields a heavy precipitate of silver chloride. In the case of the Abbott chlorinated eucalyptol a slight turbidity is caused by this test; the Squibb product shows no reaction.
A 10 per cent. solution of potassium iodide is overlaid with an equal volume of chlorlyptus. Iodine is slowly liberated, being noticeable in one-half hour. With chlorinated eucalyptol-Abbott, a trace of free iodine is discernible after four hours, while with chlorinated eucalyptol-Squibb there is no free iodine present. When the respective products are shaken with an alcoholic solution of potassium iodide, no iodine is immediately liberated, thus showing the absence of “active chlorine” (difference from the hypochlorite derivatives).