Caffeine

Powdered caffeine

Description

A bitter-tasting alkaloid compound that occurs naturally in tea and Coffee. Caffeine acts as a mild stimulant when ingested. It is prepared synthetically from Uric acid. Caffeine acts as a natural Pesticide as it often paralyzes and kills insects upon ingestion.

Caffeine

Synonyms and Related Terms

caffein; mateine; guaranine; Koffein (Dan., Deut., Nor., Sven.); Coffein (Dan., Deut.); cafeína (Esp.); teína (Esp.); caféine (Fr.); caffeina (It.); cafeïne (Ned.); coffeïne (Ned.); kofeina (Pol.); cafeína (Port.);

FTIR

Chemical structure

Physical and Chemical Properties

Soluble in water (pH of 1% sollution = 6.9)

Composition	C8H10N4O2
CAS	58-08-2
Melting Point	238 C
Density	1.2 g/ml
Molecular Weight	194.19
Boiling Point	178 C (sublimes)

Risks

• Excessive use may cause restlessness, insomnia, tremors, headaches, irritability, and irregular heartbeat.
• ThermoFisher: SDS

Resources and Citations

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998