Thiomersal
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Ethyl(2-mercaptobenzoato-(2-)-O,S) mercurate(1-) sodium | |
Other names
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| Identifiers | |
CAS Number |
|
3D model (JSmol) |
|
Beilstein Reference |
8169555 |
| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider | |
| DrugBank | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.192 |
| EC Number |
|
Gmelin Reference |
1677155 |
| KEGG | |
PubChem CID |
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| RTECS number |
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| UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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InChI
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SMILES
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| Properties | |
Chemical formula |
C9H9HgNaO2S |
| Molar mass | 404.81 g/mol |
| Appearance | White or slightly yellow powder |
| Density | 2.508 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 232 to 233 °C (450 to 451 °F; 505 to 506 K) (decomposition) |
Solubility in water |
1000 g/L (20 °C) |
| Pharmacology | |
| D08AK06 (WHO) | |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling: | |
Pictograms |
|
Signal word |
Danger |
Hazard statements |
H300, H310, H330, H373, H410 |
Precautionary statements |
P260, P273, P280, P301, P302, P304, P310, P330, P340, P352 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
| Flash point | 250 °C (482 °F; 523 K) |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LD50 (median dose) |
75 mg/kg (oral, rat) |
| Safety data sheet (SDS) | External MSDS |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references | |
Thiomersal (INN), or thimerosal (USAN, JAN), also sold under the name merthiolate, is an organomercury compound. It is a well-established antiseptic and antifungal agent.
It has been used as a preservative in vaccines, immunoglobulin preparations, skin test antigens, antivenins, ophthalmic and nasal products, and tattoo inks. In spite of the scientific consensus that fears about its safety are unsubstantiated, its use as a vaccine preservative has been called into question by anti-vaccination groups.