<unk>  (INN) is a highly active antimicrobial chemical compound whose chemical formula is 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol.<unk>  was invented by The Boots Company PLC, Nottingham, England in the early 1960s and first applications were as a preservative for pharmaceuticals.<unk> 's low mammalian toxicity (at in-use levels) and exceptional activity against bacteria (especially the troublesome Gram-negative species) ensured that it became popular as a preservative in many consumer products such as shampoos and cosmetics.<unk>  was subsequently taken up as an effective antimicrobial in many industrial environments such as paper mills, oil exploration and production facilities, as well as cooling water disinfection plants.
World production soared from the tens of tonnes in the late 1970s to current estimates in excess of 5,000 tonnes. This is quite something considering the effective use-concentration which can be as low as 0.0025% (25 parts per million). Manufacturing today is the business of low cost producers, mainly in China.
Pharmaceutical products containing<unk>  are registered in a number of countries and<unk>  is the subject of a specific monograph in the British Pharmacopoeia 1998.
Bronopol
Lime 
Ethotoin
Wart
Amnion
Hermaphrodite
Acrylic glass
Pyritinol