METHAQUALONE

Originator

Quaalude ,Lemmon,US,1965

The Uses of METHAQUALONE

A quinazoline sedative-hypnotic. Controlled substance.

Definition

ChEBI: Methaqualone is a member of the class of quinazolines that is quinazolin-4-one substituted at positions 2 and 3 by methyl and o-tolyl groups respectively. A depressant that increases the activity of the GABA receptors in the brain and nervous system, it is used as a sedative and hypnotic medication. It became popular as a recreational drug and club drug in the late 1960s and 1970s. It has a role as a GABA agonist and a sedative.

Manufacturing Process

Anthranilic acid (1 part) is dissolved in acetic anhydride (2 parts) and the temperature raised progressively to 190° to 200°C while distillation takes place. The last traces of acetic acid are removed under vacuum and, after cooling to about 50° to 60°C, o-toluidine (1 part) is added in portions.
The temperature is then raised to 170° to 200°C when the excess water and o-toluidine is gradually distilled off, finally maintaining the temperature at 180° to 200°C for 2 hours. After cooling to about 100°C dilute hydrochloric acid (3 parts) is added and the mixture boiled and stirred. The solution is then neutralized with NaOH with stirring and the product which separates is recrystallized twice from alcohol after decolorizing with carbon. Yield: 70% of theoretical, LIP 114° to 115°C.

brand name

Babix-rectal;Bon-sonnilal;Diudorm;Divinoctal;Dormisedilal;Duromine m 40;Isonox;Jurmun;Maoa;Melsedine base;Mepalgic;Mequal;Mequelon;Metadorm;Metakualon;Methadorm;Methaquaion;Methasedil;Metodril 2;Metodril napa;Neuro a2;Nitro-tromacardin;Nobadorm compostium;Noctulon;Normorest;Noxybel;Paldona;Pallidan;Papatral;Parmilene;Paxidorm;Pexaqualone;Portaderm;Pro dorm;Rebuso;Rectulon;Riporest;Rm 526;Rovonal;Savedorm;Sedalone;Sedanoct;Sedatyl;Silternum;Sleepinal;Somnex;Somnofac;Somnotropon;Soval;Sovelin;Sovinal;Spasmopront;Tiqualone;Toquilone;Toraflon;Toriador;Tualone;Tuazolona;Vitalone.

Therapeutic Function

Hypnotic

World Health Organization (WHO)

Methaqualone, a quinazolone derivative, was introduced in 1965 for use as a sedative-hypnotic drug. It is widely abused and is associated with severe withdrawal symptoms. Methaqualone is controlled under Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention of Psychotropic Substances. (Reference: (UNCPS4) United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (IV),1971)