Isoflurane

Isoflurane (1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether) is a halogenated ether used for inhalation anesthesia. Together with sevoflurane, it replaced the flammable ethers used in the pioneer days of surgery. It is usually administered in conjunction with nitrous oxide and pure oxygen. Because onset of anesthesia is relatively slow (7-10 minutes), and because of its pungency, it is usually used for maintenance of anesthesia that has been induced with another drug.

Though it vaporizes readily, it is a liquid at room temperature. Anesthesia equipment includes a vaporizer that heats it to generate a gas.

physical properties

Molecular weight -- 184.5 Boiling point °C at 760 mm Hg -- 48.5 Specific gravity at 25 °C -- 1.496 Vapour pressure mm Hg: at 20°C -- 238 at 25°C -- 295 at 30°C -- 367 at 35°C -- 450