ICHTHYOL PRODUCTION FROM ISRAELI SHALE OIL

Methods of ichthyol production from the Israeli shale oil are investig ated. Ichthyol (ichthammol) is an anti-inflammation and analgesic reme dy, used for curing skin diseases. The scheme developed includes the f ollowing steps: purification of the oil fraction; sulfonation of the f raction; neutralization of the sulfonic acids by ammonium hydroxide; p urification of the crude ichthyol. The ichthyol yield is 170-250% of t he initial fraction (75-120% of the total oil). The ichthyol obtained meets requirements of the British Pharmacopoeia. Simplicity of the syn thesis, high yield, and high price for ichthyol make its production ec onomically favourable.