phenacaine

Phenacaine, also known as holocaine, is a local anesthetic. It is approved for ophthalmic use.

==Synthesis== The synthesis of phenacaine begins with the condensation of p-phenetidine (1) with triethyl orthoacetate (2) to afford the imino ether (a Pinner salt, 3). Reaction of that intermediate with a second equivalent of the aniline results (4) in a net displacement of ethanol, probably by an addition-elimination scheme, producing the amidine, phenacaine (5).