Diethylsulphonmethylethylmethane, (CH3)(C2H5)C(SO2C2H5)2, a product of the oxidation of mercaptol, obtained by the condensation of methylethylketone with ethyl-mercaptan.

Description. - It occurs in colorless, lustrous, odorless, crystalline scales which have a bitter taste in aqueous solution. Trional is soluble in 195 parts of water, more readily in boiling water, and readily soluble in alcohol and ether. It melts at 760 C.; hence if a test-tube containing some of the powder be placed in hot water, the substance will melt; sulphonmethanum sulphonal (the melting-point of which is 125.50 C.) will not melt under these circumstances.

Dose. - Average dose, 15 grains (1 Gm.), U. S. P.

Therapeutics. - By reason of its greater solubility its action is more rapid than that of sulphonal. Identical symptoms of poisoning as those of sulphonal have been noted, but breaking down more rapidly and being eliminated much faster, the tendency to cumulative action and to blood-destruction seems less than with its ally sulphonal. In combination they are useful hypnotics.

Tetronal (Diethyl-sulphon-diethyl-methane). - Origin. - This substance is also prepared like sulphonal.

Description and Properties. - Colorless, shining plates and laminae, of bitter taste and slightly camphoraceous odor; soluble in 450 parts of cold and in 5 parts of boiling alcohol; insoluble in water.

Dose. - 10-40 grains (0.6-2.5 Gm.).

Therapeutics. - Tetronal seems to be more poisonous than either of the others of the group. Why this should be so is not yet established. Like sulphonal, however, it breaks down slowly, and a cumulative action may account for its greater toxicity.