Caffeine

Powdered caffeine

Description

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

Synonyms and Related Terms

caffein; mateine; guaranine; Koffein (Dan., Deut., Nor., Sven.); Coffein (Dan., Deut.); cafena (Esp.); tena (Esp.); cafine (Fr.); caffeina (It.); cafene (Ned.); coffene (Ned.); kofeina (Pol.); cafena (Port.);

FTIR

Chemical structure

Other Properties

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

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

Hazards and Safety

Excessive use may cause restlessness, insomnia, tremors, headaches, irritability, and irregular heartbeat.

Science Stuff: MSDS

Additional Images

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  Caffeine

Authority

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