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Antibiotics and anti-infectives

Chloramphenicol

Also known as Chlornitromycin, Levomycetin, Levomicetina

CAS 56-75-7Formula C11H12Cl2N2O5Molar mass 323.13 g/molEC 200-287-4
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Corrosive, Harmful or irritant, Serious health hazard 159 suppliers listed Drug substance
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Chloramphenicol chemical structure, C11H12Cl2N2O5, CAS 56-75-7
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Needles or elongated plates from water or ethylene dichloride
Melting point
150.5 to 151.5
Boiling point
Sublimes in high vacuum
Solubility
In water, 2.5 mg/mL at 25 °C
HS code
294140
Category
Antibiotics and anti-infectives
Illustrative photo, drums, an IBC tote and sacks in a chemical warehouse in a warehouse
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Chloramphenicol?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Chloramphenicol is an organochlorine compound that is dichloro-substituted acetamide containing a nitrobenzene ring, an amide bond and two alcohol functions. It has a role as a Mycoplasma genitalium metabolite, a geroprotector, an antimicrobial agent, an antibacterial drug, a protein synthesis inhibitor and an Escherichia coli metabolite. It is a diol, a C-nitro compound, an organochlorine compound and a carboxamide.

Chloramphenicol is an antimicrobial agent.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
2,2-dichloro-N-[(1R,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-nitrophenyl)propan-2-yl]acetamide
CAS number
56-75-7 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 125440-98-4, 2787-09-9
EC number
200-287-4
Molecular formula
C11H12Cl2N2O5
UNII
66974FR9Q1
MDL number
MFCD00078159
InChIKey
WIIZWVCIJKGZOK-RKDXNWHRSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C11H12Cl2N2O5/c12-10(13)11(18)14-8(5-16)9(17)6-1-3-7(4-2-6)15(19)20/h1-4,8-10,16-17H,5H2,(H,14,18)/t8-,9-/m1/s1
Canonical SMILES
O=C(NC(CO)C(O)c1ccc([N+](=O)[O-])cc1)C(Cl)Cl
Isomeric SMILES
C1=CC(=CC=C1[C@H]([C@@H](CO)NC(=O)C(Cl)Cl)O)[N+](=O)[O-]

Synonyms

  • Chlornitromycin
  • Levomycetin
  • Levomicetina
  • Chlorocid
  • Chloroamphenicol
  • Alficetyn
  • Chloramex
  • Globenicol
  • D-Chloramphenicol
  • Aquamycetin
  • Chemicetina
  • Chloramsaar
  • Chloronitrin
  • Enteromycetin
  • Halomycetin
  • Juvamycetin
  • Amphicol
  • Amseclor
  • Austracol
  • Catilan
  • Chemicetin
  • Chlomycol
  • Chlorocaps
  • Cloramicol
  • Fenicol
Show all 39 synonyms
  • Kemicetine
  • Klorita
  • Leukomyan
  • Leukomycin
  • Chloramficin
  • Chloramfilin
  • Ciplamycetin
  • Intramycetin
  • Sintomicetina
  • Stanomycetin
  • Anacetin
  • Austracil
  • Chloricol
  • Chlorocol

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Needles or elongated plates from water or ethylene dichlorideexp.
Taste
Bitter to tasteexp.
Melting point
150.5 to 151.5exp.
Boiling point
Sublimes in high vacuumexp.
Solubility
In water, 2.5 mg/mL at 25 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
323.13 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
322.0123 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
0.91calc.
Topological polar surface area
112.7 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
3calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
5calc.
Rotatable bonds
6calc.
Heavy atoms
20calc.
Rings
1calc.
Aromatic rings
1calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.36calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
2calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, c1ccccc1

c1ccccc1

1 ring, 6 atoms, the Benzene ring system.

485,677 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS05: Corrosive
Corrosive
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant
GHS08: Serious health hazard
Serious health hazard

Hazard statements

  • H317May cause an allergic skin reaction.
  • H318Causes serious eye damage.
  • H350May cause cancer.
  • H351Suspected of causing cancer.
  • H360May damage fertility or the unborn child.
  • H361Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
Precautionary statements (14)
  • P203Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P272Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P305 + P354 + P338If in eyes: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P317Get medical help.
  • P318If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P333 + P317If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Chloramphenicol suppliers

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All 159 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

159 suppliers in 32 countries

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Chloramphenicol price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Anti-Bacterial Agents, Protein Synthesis Inhibitors.

Veterinary medication:.

Use classes: Pharmaceuticals, Animal Drugs.

Pharmacological actions

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors

Roles

  • Escherichia coli metabolite
  • Mycoplasma genitalium metabolite
  • antibacterial agent
  • antibacterial drug
  • antiinfective agent
  • antimicrobial agent
  • antimicrobial drug
  • bacterial metabolite
  • enzyme inhibitor
  • geroprotector
  • metabolite
  • ophthalmology drug
  • pathway inhibitor
  • pharmaceutical
  • prokaryotic metabolite
  • protective agent
  • protein synthesis inhibitor

Pharmacology

Chloramphenicol is an Amphenicol-class Antibacterial.

How it is made

Broad spectrum antibiotic obtained from cultures of the soil bacterium Streptomyces venezuelae.

An antibiotic derived from Streptomyces venezuelae or by organic synthesis...

Chloramphenicol can be obtained from the filtrate of a Streptomyces venezuelae culture by extraction with ethyl acetate. If the charcoal extract is rich in chloramphenicol, the latter can be crystallized from the ethyl acetate by diluting with many volumes of kerosene.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Chloramphenicol is traded under.

HS 2941.40Exact HS code

Chloramphenicol and its derivatives, salts thereof

World exports in 2024
$130M
−16.2% vs 2023, imports $112M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China92.9%
  2. Spain1.9%
  3. India * partner reported1.6%
Top importers
  1. Germany13.8%
  2. Brazil10.2%
  3. Chile8.5%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Chloramphenicol is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Chloramphenicol, based on the data on this page

What is Chloramphenicol?

Chloramphenicol is an organochlorine compound that is dichloro-substituted acetamide containing a nitrobenzene ring, an amide bond and two alcohol functions.

What is the CAS number of Chloramphenicol?

The CAS registry number of Chloramphenicol is 56-75-7. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 125440-98-4, 2787-09-9.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Chloramphenicol?

The molecular formula of Chloramphenicol is C11H12Cl2N2O5 and its molar mass is 323.13 g/mol.

What is Chloramphenicol used for?

Anti-Bacterial Agents, Protein Synthesis Inhibitors. Veterinary medication:. Use classes: Pharmaceuticals, Animal Drugs.

Is Chloramphenicol hazardous?

Chloramphenicol carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: may cause an allergic skin reaction, causes serious eye damage, may cause cancer. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Chloramphenicol?

Chloramphenicol is usually classified under HS code 294140 (Chloramphenicol and its derivatives, salts thereof). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Chloramphenicol?

CompoundList lists 159 suppliers of Chloramphenicol in China, United States, India, Germany and 28 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Chloramphenicol in India?

19 suppliers in India list Chloramphenicol on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Chloramphenicol?

Suppliers quote Chloramphenicol on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Chloramphenicol

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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