1116. Benzoyl Peroxide

Nomenclature

CAS number: 94-36-0
Dibenzoyl peroxide; benzoyl superoxide; Acetoxyl (Stiefel); Acnegel (Stiefel); Akneroxid L (Lubapharm); Benoxyl (Stiefel); Benzac (Galderma); Benzagel (RPR); Benzaknen (Galderma); Brevoxyl (Stiefel); Debroxide (Alcon); Desanden (Nycomed); Lucidol (Elf Atochem); Nericur (Schering); Oxy-5 (SKB); PanOxyl (Stiefel); Peroxyderm (Chassot); Persa-gel (J & J); Sanoxit (Galderma); Theraderm (BMS); Xerac BP (Person & Covey).
C14H10O4; mol wt 242.23.
C 69.42%, H 4.16%, O 26.42%.

Description and references

Prepd by interaction of benzoyl chloride and a cooled soln of sodium peroxide. Laboratory procedure: A. I. Vogel, Practical Organic Chemistry (Longmans, London, 3rd ed., 1954) p 807; Gattermann-Wieland, Praxis des Organischen Chemikers (de Gruyter, Berlin, 40th ed., 1961) p 115. Comparative clinical study with clindamycin in acne vulgaris: L. J. Swinyer et al., Br. J. Dermatol. 119, 615 (1988). Review of carcinogenic and allergenic potential: D. J. Hogan, Int. J. Dermatol. 30, 467-470 (1991).

Chemical structure

Properties

Crystals. mp 103-106°. May explode when heated. Sparingly sol in water or alcohol; sol in benzene, chloroform, ether. One gram dissolves in 40 ml carbon disulfide, in about 50 ml olive oil.

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of skin, eyes and mucous membranes; sensitization dermatitis. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 26.

Use

Source of free radicals for industrial processes. Oxidizing agent in bleaching oils, flour, etc.; catalyst in the plastics industry; initiator in polymerization.

Therapeutic Category

Keratolytic.

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Keratolytic.

Keywords

Antiacne; Keratolytic