Hygrine

Chemical compound

Hygrine is a pyrrolidine alkaloid found in the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca). It was first isolated by the German chemist Carl Liebermann in 1889. Hygrine is one of the many alkaloids present in coca leaves, although it is not the primary active compound responsible for the stimulant effects of cocaine.

Chemical Structure and Properties

Hygrine is a ketone with a pyrrolidine ring, which is a five-membered heterocyclic amine. The chemical formula of hygrine is C₈H₁₅NO, and it has a molar mass of 141.21 g/mol. The structure consists of a pyrrolidine ring attached to a propanone group.

Occurrence and Isolation

Hygrine is naturally occurring in the leaves of the coca plant, which is native to South America. The isolation of hygrine from coca leaves involves the extraction of the alkaloid fraction, followed by purification processes such as chromatography.

Biological Activity

While hygrine itself does not have significant pharmacological activity, it is often studied in conjunction with other alkaloids found in coca leaves. The primary interest in hygrine is due to its presence in the coca plant and its potential role in the biosynthesis of other alkaloids.

See Also

• Cocaine
• Pyrrolidine
• Alkaloid
• Erythroxylum coca

External Links

• Hygrine on PubChem

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  Hygrine Structural Formula V.1
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  Hygrine ball-and-stick