Menthyl isovalerate, also known as validolum, is the
menthyl ester
In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an acid (either organic or inorganic) in which the hydrogen atom (H) of at least one acidic hydroxyl group () of that acid is replaced by an organyl group (R). These compounds contain a distin ...
of
isovaleric acid
Isovaleric acid, also known as 3-methylbutanoic acid or β-methylbutyric acid, is a branched-chain alkyl carboxylic acid with the chemical formula (CH3)2CHCH2CO2H. It is classified as a short-chain fatty acid. Like other low-molecular-weight car ...
. It is a transparent oily, colorless liquid with a smell of menthol. It is very slightly soluble in
ethanol
Ethanol (also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, drinking alcohol, or simply alcohol) is an organic compound with the chemical formula . It is an Alcohol (chemistry), alcohol, with its formula also written as , or EtOH, where Et is the ps ...
, while practically insoluble in water. It is used as a
food additive
Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance taste, appearance, or other sensory qualities. Some additives, such as vinegar ( pickling), salt ( salting), smoke ( smoking) and sugar ( crystallization), have been used f ...
for
flavor and fragrance.
Medical use
In Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and the former Soviet Union states including Russia, menthyl isovalerate mixed with roughly 25% menthol is sold as an
anxiolytic
An anxiolytic (; also antipanic or anti-anxiety agent) is a medication or other intervention that reduces anxiety. This effect is in contrast to anxiogenic agents which increase anxiety. Anxiolytic medications are used for the treatment of anxie ...
under various trade names including Extravalerianic, Validol, Valofin, and Menthoval.
Validol, the anxiety medication containing a roughly 25% solution of menthol in menthyl isovalerate is prepared essentially in one step, in which the amount of menthol added before conducting the acid catalysed esterification is in an excess such that the resulting solution of the yielded ester has around 25% menthol, simplifying the procedure. Work up might consist of several washings, including one with aqueous
sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate ( IUPAC name: sodium hydrogencarbonate), commonly known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda (or simply “bicarb” especially in the UK) is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3. It is a salt composed of a sodium cat ...
to neutralize traces of acid catalyst and unreacted isovaleric acid, and
distillation
Distillation, also classical distillation, is the process of separating the component substances of a liquid mixture of two or more chemically discrete substances; the separation process is realized by way of the selective boiling of the mixt ...
.
See also
*
Methyl pentanoate
Methyl pentanoate, commonly known as methyl valerate, is the methyl ester of pentanoic acid (valeric acid) with a fruity odor.
Methyl pentanoate is commonly used in fragrances, beauty care, soap, laundry detergents at levels of 0.1–1%.
In a ...
*
Hopantenic acid
Hopantenic acid (homopantothenic acid), also known as N-pantoyl-GABA, is a central nervous system depressant. Formulated as the calcium salt (chemistry), salt, it is used as a pharmaceutical drug in the Russian Federation for a variety of neurolo ...
*
Isovaleramide
*
List of Russian drugs
This page is a list of Russian drugs, or drugs that were developed in Russia, the former Soviet Union, and/or post-Soviet countries.
Many Russian drugs are indicated for enhancing physical, mental, and/or cognitive performance, including drugs ...
References
{{GABAAR PAMs
GABA analogues
GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators
Anxiolytics
Sedatives
Russian drugs
Isovalerate esters
Isopropyl compounds