Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
09:36
Applications of Liquid-Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Natural Products Research: Tropane Alkaloids as a Case Study
Published on: March 8, 2024
Intoxication with a tropenol ester
A Muttray1, M Schneider, S Letzel
1Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Straβe 67, D-55131 Mainz, Germany.
Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England)
|May 1, 2012
Summary
A chemical worker experienced anticholinergic intoxication after accidental exposure to tropenol ester, a synthesis intermediate. This case highlights the potential dangers of unknown intermediate toxicity and the need for strict safety protocols.
Area of Science:
- Chemical synthesis
- Pharmacology
- Occupational safety
Background:
- Medicinal product development often overlooks synthesis intermediates.
- Intermediates can possess distinct and potent pharmacological properties compared to final products.
Observation:
- A chemical worker experienced severe anticholinergic symptoms, including seizures, after skin contact with tropenol ester.
- Symptoms persisted for two weeks despite intensive medical care.
- Urine analysis confirmed the presence of tropenol ester.
Findings:
- Tropolone ester acts as a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist.
- Its tertiary amine structure facilitates rapid blood-brain barrier penetration.
- The prolonged symptom duration suggests high receptor affinity.
Implications:
- Accidental exposure to synthesis intermediates can lead to significant toxicity.
- Robust safety measures are crucial when handling novel chemical compounds.
- Further research into the toxicology of pharmaceutical intermediates is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Toxidromes: Clinical Features
Toxidromes are specific patterns of symptoms resulting from toxic substance exposure. They help in the identification and treatment of poisoning. The symptoms of each toxidrome group indicate poisoning by a certain class of chemicals or drugs.1. Sympathomimetic: Stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include agitation, increased heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), temperature, and pupil size. Drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, along with tremors and...
01:26Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, leading to its accumulation in the synaptic cleft. This accumulation indirectly enhances both muscarinic and nicotinic actions. These agents are classified as reversible or irreversible based on their mechanism of action.
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
01:16Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions
Idiosyncratic drug reactions represent abnormal chemical responses that vary significantly among individuals, ranging from extreme sensitivity to low doses to insensitivity to high doses. These reactions often occur due to the drug's covalent binding with serum proteins, forming a foreign hapten that triggers an immunotoxicological response. The variability in drug reactions has a strong pharmacogenetic foundation, with genetic differences crucial in how individuals metabolize drugs. For...
01:00Drug Toxicity: Overview
Drug toxicity quantifies the harm a compound causes to an organism, varying by dose and potentially impacting whole systems or specific organs like the liver. Toxic reactions may arise from venomous insect or spider bites, with effects ranging from mild symptoms to severe outcomes such as brain damage or death. Common forms of acute poisoning include ethanol intoxication and overdose of pain or fever medications, with substances like GHB and heroin being particularly lethal at doses close to...
01:24Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
02:23Autoxidation of Ethers to Peroxides and Hydroperoxides
Ethers represent a class of chemical compounds that become more dangerous with prolonged storage because they tend to form explosive peroxides when standing in the air. Autoxidation is the spontaneous oxidation of a compound in air. In the presence of oxygen, ethers slowly oxidize to form hydroperoxides and dialkyl peroxides.