Chloroxylenol soapy Solution 5%

Synthetic organic disinfectant and antiseptic, product of phenol, whose halogen, in the para position, and both its methyls, in the meta position (see structure below), provide less toxicity and higher power, together with a bactericidal action that is 35 times stronger than phenol's, making of it a very useful and effective disinfectant for general and external use. Its germicidal properties are due to its high partition coefficient, thanks to which it can easily penetrate the bacterial cell membranes and combine with the protoplasm proteins, disnaturing them and making them precipitate. The union chloroxylenol-protein is not stable: chloroxylenol is released and spreads through the tissues as a plasmatic venom, being hardly affected by the presence of organic matter. In lower concentrations, the germicidal action is attributed to the inactivation of vital bacterial enzymatic systems. Practically insoluble in water, easily soluble in alcohol, terpenes, non-volatile oils and alkaline solutions. Its preparation in alkaline soap environment, from natural oils (castor oil, oleic, terpineol), favors the stability, penetration and persistence of the drug on the surfaces and/or tissues. Chloroxylenol is absorbed through denuded skin and mucus, but almost none is absorbed through intact skin. In water solutions or suspensions, this phenolic product is practically non irritant.