Electrolytically Induced Reactions

Abstract
A metabolite of pentobarbital was isolated from the urine of dogs after anesthetic doses of the drugs. The compound has the same elementary composition as pentobarbital except that it has one additional oxygen. The presence of an OH is indicated by reaction with acetic anhydride. Further study of chemical and physical properties have led to two possible formulae, and to the consideration that the metabolite is formed by direct oxidative attack on the side chains containing 4 or more carbons.