Sevoflurane formulation water content influences degradation by Lewis acids in vaporizers.

Background: Sevoflurane is produced by several manufacturers. Currently marketed sevoflurane formulations differ in their method of synthesis, impurities, containers in which they are sold, and water content. Of the various types of chemical degradation to which sevoflurane is susceptible, the most pertinent is degradation by Lewis acids (such as metal oxides and metal halides) to hydrofluoric acid and other toxic compounds.