Isoflurane
Isoflurane (1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl
difluoromethyl ether) is a halogenated ether used for inhalation anesthesia. Together with enflurane and halothane it replaced the flammable ethers used in the pioneer days of surgery. Its use is now starting to decline, being replaced with sevoflurane, desflurane and the intravenous anaesthetic propofol.
Isoflure is usually administered in conjunction with nitrous oxide and pure oxygen. Although its physical properties means that anaesthesia can be induced more rapidly than with halothane, its pungency can irritate the respiratory system, negating this theoretical advantages conferred by its physical properties. It is usually used to maintain a state of general anesthesia that has been induced with another drug, such as thiopentone or propofol.
It vaporizes readily, but is a liquid at room temperature.
Physical properties
| Molecular weight | 184.5 g/mol | |
| Boiling point (at 760 mm Hg): | 48.5°C | |
| Relative density (at 25°C): | 1.496 g/mL | |
| Vapor pressure (in mm Hg): | 238 | (at 20°C) |
| 295 | (at 25°C) | |
| 367 | (at 30°C) | |
| 450 | (at 35°C) |