Acetanilide

Precursor of numerous drugs, dyes and other copounds in chemical synthesis. Acetanilide was the first aniline derivative found to possess analgesic as well as antipyretic properties. But its had toxic effects: methemoglobinemia and ultimately liver and kidney damage. Search for less toxic aniline derivatives such as phenacetin where introduced. Acetanilide is mostly metabolized to paracetamol (acetaminophen) in the human body, and this metabolite that is responsible for the analgesic and antipyretic properties