Ichthyol Production From Israeli Shale Oil

Abstract

Methods of ichthyol production from the Israeli shale oil are investigated. Ichthyol (ichthammol) is an anti-inflammation and analgesic remedy, used for curing skin diseases.The scheme developed includes the following steps: purification of the oil fraction; sulfonation ofthe fraction; neutralization of the sulfonic acids by ammonium hydroxide; purification of the crude ichthyol. The ichthyolyield is 170--250 % of the initialfraction (75-120 %of the total oil). The ichthyol obtained meets requirements of the British Pharmacopoeia. Simplicity of the synthesis, high yield, and high price for ichthyol make its production economically favourable.Ichthyol (it is also called ichthammol, etc.) is an anti-inflammation and analgesic remedy, obtained from shale oils. It is applied for curing skin diseases such as eczema, ulcers, furuncles, etc. It is used in creams, ointments, bandages, and lotions, often with zinc oxide. Different remedies of ichthyol type are used now in Germany, Spain,