Nomenclature
Clinitar (Smith & Nephew); Psorigel (Alcon); T/Gel (Farillon). Description and references
A by-product in the destructive distillation
of coal. Constit. Benzene, toluene, naphthalene, anthracene,
xylene, and other aromatic hydrocarbons; phenol, cresol, and other
phenol bodies; ammonia, pyridine, and some other organic bases; thiophene.
Monographs: Coal Tar Data Book, 2nd ed., 1965, compiled
and published by The Coal Tar Res. Assoc., Gomersal (Leeds), England;
H. G. Franck, G. Collin, Steinkohlenteer (Springer Verlag, Heidelberg-New York, 1968) 255 pp. Review of
carcinogenic risk: IARC Monographs 35, 83-159 (1985); of toxicology and human exposure:
Toxicological Profile for Wood Creosote,
Coal Tar Creosote, Coal Tar, Coal Tar Pitch, and Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles (PB2003-100136, 2002) 394 pp.
Properties
Almost black, thick liquid or semisolid; characteristic
odor. A small portion of coal tar dissolves in water; all or almost
all dissolves in benzene or nitrobenzene; partly dissolves in alcohol,
ether, chloroform, carbon disulfide, methanol, acetone, petr ether,
or sodium hydroxide soln. Practically insol in water. Sol in 20
parts alcohol; miscible with abs alcohol, acetone, petrolatum, oils
and fats.Derivative
Purified coal tar.
Properties
Light-yellow, thin, oily liq.Caution
Coal tar and coal tar pitches are
listed as known human carcinogens: Report
on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition (PB2005-104914, 2004)
p III-68.Use
Prodn of creosote, coal tar pitch, crude naphthalene
and anthracene oils; as fuel for furnaces in steel industry.
Therapeutic Category
Antieczematic (topical).
Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)
Topically in skin disorders.