Diethyl ether anesthetic properties

The distribution of anesthetic throughout the entire body may be viewed as an equilibration process (Fig. 7.1.13), with tissues characterized by high blood flows reaching equilibration faster than muscle and fatJ4 Nevertheless, an anesthetic that is excessively soluble in blood will not partition substantially into brain and other tissues. The anesthetic properties of nitrous oxide and diethyl ether have been known since the 1840s. Zeneca Pharmaceuticals introduced the first modem inhalation anesthetic fluothane in 1957. Methoxyfluorane followed in 1960, enflurane 1973, isoflurane 1981, desflurane by Anaquest (Liberty Comer, NJ) in 1992, and sevoflurane by Abbott Laboratories in 1995J6 ... 

The first hint that a physical property of a drug could be related to biological activity appeared almost 100 years ago when scientists recognized that chloroform (CHCI3), diethyl ether, cyclopropane, and nitrous oxide (N2O) were all useful general anesthetics. Clearly, the chemical stmctures of these diverse compounds could not account for their similar pharmacological effects. Instead, some physical property must explain the similarity of their biological activities. 

The chief chemical property of ethers is that, like the alkanes, they are inert and do not react with most reagents. It is this property that makes diethyl ether such a useful solvent. Like hydrocarbons, ethers are flammable, and diethyl ether is especially flammable because of its high volatility. Diethyl ether was the first general anesthetic used in surgery. For many years, it was the most important compound used as an anesthetic, but it has now been largely replaced by other compounds. 

The discovery that diethyl ether (CH3CH2OCH2CH3) is a general anesthetic revolutionized surgery in the nineteenth century. For years, a heated controversy existed ovct who first discovered diethyl ether s anesthetic properties and recognized the enormous benefit in its use. Early experiments were ome y t, suiting in a public demonstration of... 

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