A mercurial antimicrobial agent
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Thimerosal

Item No. 33432

Product Insert (PDF)Safety Data Sheet (SDS) (PDF)
Technical Information
Formal Name
ethyl[2-(mercapto-κS)benzoato(2-)-κO]-mercurate(1-), monosodium
CAS Number
54-64-8
Synonyms
  • Merthiolate
  • NSC 4794
Molecular Formula
C9H9HgO2S • Na
Formula Weight
404.8
Formulation (Request formulation change)
A crystalline solid
Solubility(Learn about Variance in Solubility)
Ethanol: SolubleWater: Soluble
SMILES
O=C([O-])C1=CC=CC=C1[S][Hg]CC.[Na+]
InChi Code
InChI=1S/C7H6O2S.C2H5.Hg.Na/c8-7(9)5-3-1-2-4-6(5)10;1-2;;/h1-4,10H,(H,8,9);1H2,2H3;;/q;;2*+1/p-2
InChi Key
RTKIYNMVFMVABJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L
Shipping & Storage Information
Storage
-20°C
Shipping
Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere
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    10 g

    $95

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    25 g

    $208

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    50 g

    $370

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    Cayman Chemical
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    Product Description

    Thimerosal is a mercurial antimicrobial agent.1,2 It is bacteriostatic against hemolytic streptococci and fungistatic against H. capsulatum, B. dermatitidis, and S. schenckii. Thimerosal (1-250 µM) induces apoptosis in HCN-1A human cortical neurons and various neuroblastoma cells.3,4 In vivo, thimerosal (80 mg/kg, i.p.) induces footpad swelling and dorsal skin contact dermatitis in a mouse model of pseudo-allergic reaction.5 Formulations containing thimerosal have been used as antiseptics and preservatives in vaccines.

    WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.

    References & Product Citations
    Product Description References

    1. Morton, H.E., North, L.L., Jr., and Engley, F.B., Jr. The bacteriostatic and bactericidal actions of some mercurial compounds on hemolytic streptococci. J. Am. Med. Assoc. 136(1), 37-41 (1948).

    2. Deighton, F.J., Hall, N.K., and Larsh, H.W. Merthiolate treatment of pathogenic fungi. J. Clin. Microbiol. 10(2), 144-146 (1979).

    3. Baskin, D.S., Ngo, H., and Didenko, V.V. Thimerosal induces DNA breaks, caspase-3 activation, membrane damage, and cell death in cultured human neurons and fibroblasts. Toxicol. Sci. 74, 361-368 (2003).

    4. Dórea, J.G. Integrating experimental (in vitro and in vivo) neurotoxicity studies of low-dose thimerosal relevant to vaccines. Neurochem. Res. 36(3), 927-038 (2011).

    5. Peng, B., Che, D., Hao, Y., et al. Thimerosal induces skin pseudo-allergic reaction via Mas-related G-protein coupled receptor B2. J. Dermatol. Sci. 95(3), 99-106 (2019).