Sulphonal
or SULFONE METH- ANE, (CH₃)₂ C (SO2C2H5)2, a colorless crystalline powder, m. p. 125-126° C, soluble in alcohol, slightly soluble in water and ether. Prepared by combining anhydrous acetone and anhydrous ethylmercaptan m by means of a stream of anhydrous hydrochloric acid. It is employed in medicine as a hypnotic, being less dangerous than most drugs of its class, and intermediate in its action between chloral and paraldehyde.