- Merbromin
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Merbromin 
dibromohydroxymercurifluoresceinIdentifiers CAS number 129-16-8 
ChemSpider 10808965 EC number 204-933-6 KEGG D00861 Jmol-3D images Image 1 - [Na+].[Na+].[O-]C(=O)c4ccccc4C=1c3cc(Br)c([O-])c([Hg]O)c3O/C/2=C/C(=O)C(/Br)=C\C=1\2
- InChI=1S/C20H9Br2O5.Hg.2Na.H2O/c21-13-5-11-17(7-15(13)23)27-18-8-16(24)14(22)6-12(18)19(11)9-3-1-2-4-10(9)20(25)26;;;;/h1-7,24H,(H,25,26);;;;1H2/q;3*+1;/p-3
Key: SQFDQLBYJKFDDO-UHFFFAOYSA-K
InChI=1/C20H9Br2O5.Hg.2Na.H2O/c21-13-5-11-17(7-15(13)23)27-18-8-16(24)14(22)6-12(18)19(11)9-3-1-2-4-10(9)20(25)26;;;;/h1-7,24H,(H,25,26);;;;1H2/q;3*+1;/p-3/rC20H10Br2HgO6.2Na/c21-12-5-10-15(7-14(12)24)29-19-11(6-13(22)18(25)17(19)23-28)16(10)8-3-1-2-4-9(8)20(26)27;;/h1-7,25,28H,(H,26,27);;/q;2*+1/p-2
Key: SQFDQLBYJKFDDO-ISOIBTJNAR
Properties Molecular formula C20H8Br2HgNa2O6 Molar mass 750.65 g mol−1 Appearance dark green solid Hazards R-phrases R26 R27 R28 R33 R50 R53 S-phrases S13 S28 S36 S45 S60 S61 Main hazards Toxic, dangerous for the environment 
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Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)Infobox references Merbromin (marketed as Mercurochrome, Merbromine, Sodium mercurescein, Asceptichrome, Supercrome, Brocasept and Cinfacromin) is a topical antiseptic used for minor cuts and scrapes. Merbromin is an organomercuric disodium salt compound and a fluorescein. It is readily available in most countries but no longer sold in the United States because of its mercury content.
Contents
Uses
Merbromin's best-known use is as a topical antiseptic. When applied on a wound, the dark red color stains the skin -- making the detection of any erythema or inflammation, indicative of infection, more difficult. In the United States, its use has been superseded by other agents (e.g., povidone iodine, benzalkonium chloride, chloroxylenol). It is still an important antiseptic, particularly in poorer countries, due to its "unbelievably low cost".[1] Merbromin is also used as a biological dye to mark tissue margins and as a metal dye in industrial dye penetrant inspection to detect metal fractures.
Mercurochrome
Mercurochrome is the trade name of merbromin. The name is also commonly used for over-the-counter antiseptic solutions consisting of merbromin (typically at 2% concentration) dissolved in either ethyl alcohol (tincture) or water (aqueous).
Its antiseptic qualities were discovered by Johns Hopkins Hospital Dr. Hugh H. Young in 1919.[2] The chemical soon became popular among parents and doctors for everyday antiseptic uses and it was very commonly used for minor injuries in the schoolyard.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed it from the "generally recognized as safe" and into the "untested" classification to effectively halt its distribution in the United States in 1998 over fears of potential mercury poisoning.[3][4] It is readily available in most other countries.
Within the United States, products such as Humco Mercuroclear ply on the brand recognition history of Mercurochrome but substitute other ingredients with similar properties (Mercuroclear: "Aqueous solution of benzalkonium chloride and lidocaine hydrochloride"[5]).
See also
- Thiomersal, also known as Thimerosal or Merthiolate
References
- ^ Prashant N. Mohite, Ashok M. Bhatnagar (2009). "Mercurochrome 1% as an antiseptic for burns: Economical - but is it efficacious and safe?". The Internet Journal of Surgery 21 (2). ISSN 1528-8242. "Apart from these qualities, still the most important factor for which mercurochrome has remained the favorite of the physicians in the developing countries is its attractive price. The compound is being sold at unbelievably low cost ... the reasons being the low manufacturing cost, longer shelf life, use in diluted form and importantly less propaganda about its medical use."
- ^ Isaiah Wilner (2006). The man time forgot: a tale of genius, betrayal, and the creation of Time magazine. HarperCollins. p. 230. ISBN 0060505494.
- ^ "Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act): Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Mercury Compounds in the List". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2009-04-30. http://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Legislation/FederalFoodDrugandCosmeticActFDCAct/SignificantAmendmentstotheFDCAct/FDAMA/ucm100219.htm.
- ^ "What happened to Mercurochrome?". The Straight Dope. 2004-07-23. http://www.straightdope.com/columns/040723.html.
- ^ "Mercuroclear MSDS". http://www.humco.com/assets/pdf/1637-Mercuroclear.pdf.
Antiseptics and disinfectants (D08) Acridine derivatives Ethacridine lactate • 9-Aminoacridine • EuflavineBiguanides and amidines Phenol and derivatives Nitrofuran derivatives NitrofurazoneIodine products Iodine/octylphenoxypolyglycolether • Povidone-iodine# • DiiodohydroxypropaneQuinoline derivatives Quaternary ammonium compounds Mercurial products Mercuric amidochloride • Phenylmercuric borate • Mercuric chloride • Mercurochrome • Thiomersal • Mercuric iodideSilver compounds Alcohols Other Categories:- Antiseptics
- Organobromides
- Fluorone dyes
- Organomercury compounds
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