Clofibrate is a lipid-regulating active pharmaceutical ingredient belonging to the fibrate class of compounds. It is chemically classified as an ethyl ester of a chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid derivative and has historically been used as a lipid-lowering agent.
Clofibrate is chemically known as Ethyl 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionate. It has the molecular formula C₁₂H₁₅ClO₃, molecular weight 242.70 g/mol, and CAS number 637-07-0.
Clofibrate belongs to the fibrate group of lipid-regulating compounds and has been associated with the management of elevated blood lipid levels. It acts through modulation of lipid metabolism and has historically been used to reduce circulating lipid concentrations.
Clofibrate is particularly relevant to pharmaceutical and analytical applications where a defined fibrate active ingredient or reference material is required.
Clofibrate is a fibric acid derivative and belongs to the fibrate class of lipid-regulating compounds.
Fibrates influence lipid metabolism through activation of PPAR-α, resulting in changes in the expression of genes involved in fatty-acid oxidation and lipoprotein metabolism.
Clofibrate is a low-molecular-weight organic ester containing chlorine and oxygen functional groups.
Product Name: Clofibrate
Chemical Name: Ethyl 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionate
CAS Number: 637-07-0
Molecular Formula: C₁₂H₁₅ClO₃
Molecular Weight: 242.70 g/mol
Physical Form: Liquid
Appearance: Colourless to pale-yellow liquid
Boiling Point: 158–160°C at 25 mm Hg
Density: 1.138–1.144 at 25°C
Melting Point: Approximately 118–119°C is reported in chemical databases; however, because Clofibrate is described as a liquid at ordinary temperature, the value should not be used as a routine API specification without reference to the applicable monograph.
NIST confirms the molecular formula, molecular weight and CAS number, while IARC describes the pure substance as a colourless to pale-yellow liquid.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white crystalline powder |
| Identification | IR absorption conforms to Clofibrate reference standard |
| Assay (HPLC) | 97.0% – 103.0% on anhydrous basis |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 0.1% |
| pH (1% Solution) | 2.0 – 4.0 |
| Individual Impurity | ≤ 0.5% |
| Water Content | NMT 0.5% |