The first recognized synthetic, small mol wt compound that is an orally active interferon inducer: Krueger, Mayer, Science 169, 1213 sqq. (1970). Prepn: Fleming et al., DE 1964761 corresp to US 3592819 (1970, 1971 to Richardson Merrell); E. R. Andrews et al., J. Med. Chem. 17, 882 (1974); H. M. Burke, M. M. Joullie, ibid. 21, 1084 (1978). Mechanism of action: De Clercq, Merigan, J. Infect. Dis. 123, 190 (1971). Toxicity studies: Kaufman et al., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 137, 357 (1971). Review: P. Chandra et al., “Tilorone Hydrochloride” in Antibiotics vol. 5(pt. 2), F. E. Hahn, Ed. (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1979) pp 385-413.