Cinchonine

Description

Cinchonine is a cinchona alkaloid generally found in the bark of Cinchona officinalis plants. It is a pseudoenantiomer that is commonly employed in malaria therapy. Cinchonine is also used as an organocatalyst in many asymmetric reactions. It is a stereoisomer and pseudo-enantiomer of cinchonidine. It is structurally similar to quinine, an antimalarial drug.

Chemical properties

white to light yellow crystal powde

The Uses of Cinchonine

Cinchonine occurs in most varieties of cinchonabark (Cinchona micrantha and Rubiaceae).It is used as an antimalarial agent.

The Uses of Cinchonine

cardiotonic

The Uses of Cinchonine

Stereomeric with Cinchonidine (C441925). Antimalarial.

Definition

ChEBI: Cinchonan in which a hydrogen at position 9 is substituted by hydroxy (S configuration). It occurs in the bark of most varieties of Cinchona shrubs, and is frequently used for directing chirality in asymmetric synthesis.

Health Hazard

The toxic effects from high doses of cinchonineinclude tinnitus, vomiting, diarrhea, andfever. The toxic effects noted in rats were excitement, change in motor activity, andconvulsions. An intraperitoneal LD50 valuein rats is 152 mg/kg.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Purification Methods

Crystallise cinchonine from EtOH or diethyl ether. For the N-benzylcinchoninium chloride see above entry in this section. [Rabe Justus Liebigs Ann Chem 365 366, 371 1909, Beilstein 23 III/IV 2819, 2832.]