3400. Docusate Calcium

Nomenclature

CAS number: 128-49-4
Sulfobutanedioic acid 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl)ester calcium salt; bis[2-ethylhexyl]calcium sulfosuccinate; calcium dioctyl sulfosuccinate; dioctyl calcium sulfosuccinate; Surfak (HMR).
C40H74CaO14S2; mol wt 883.22.
C 54.40%, H 8.44%, Ca 4.54%, O 25.36%, S 7.26%.

Description and references

Prepd from dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate dissolved in isopropanol and from calcium chloride dissolved in methanol: Klotz, US 3035973 (1962 to Lloyd Brothers).

Chemical structure

Properties

White precipitate. Sol in mineral and vegetable oils, liquid polyethylene glycol. Practically insol in glycerol. Claimed to have greater surface-active wetting properties than the sodium salt.
Ingredient of Doxidan which also contains phenolphthalein.

Therapeutic Category

Stool softener.

Keywords

Laxative/Cathartic