Metharbital

Metharbital was patented in 1905 by Emil Fischer working for Merck. It was marketed as Gemonil by Abbott Laboratories. It is a barbiturate anticonvulsant, used in the treatment of epilepsy. It has similar properties to phenobarbital.

History

 * 1952 Gemonil was introduced by Abbott Laboratories.
 * 1990 Abbott stopped marketing.

Synthesis
Metharbital can be synthesized from 2,2-diethylmalonic acid and O-methylisourea.