Caffeine Chemical Structure and Classification Flashcards
(38 cards)
Caffeine is a naturally occuring ___ ___.
purine alkaloid
Caffeine is a purine alkaloid, classified under the ____ ____.
xanthine derivatives
What is the IUPAC name and molecular formula of caffeine?
1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, C8H10N4O2
Structurally, what does caffeine consists of?
bicyclic purine ring system
What does the bicyclic purine ring system includes?
imidazole ring, pyrimidinedione ring
What are attached to the N-1, N-3, and N-7 positions that makes caffeine into a trimethylxanthine derivative?
three methyl (-CH3) groups
What contributes to the overall stability and weak hydrogen bonding of caffeine?
two carbonyl (C=O) groups
What is the apperance of caffeine?
white, odorless, crystalline solid
Caffeine is ____ soluble in water but very soluble in hot water and ____ ___.
moderately, boiling alcohol
Caffeine is more soluble in ___ ___ such as chloroform, ethanol, and acetone.
organic solvents
The melting point of caffeine is 235-238 degrees celsius and it ____ before reaching the boiling point.
decomposes
Caffeine tastes ____, contributing to the characteristic of coffee and tea.
bitter
What are the four chemical properties of caffeine?
amphoteric nature, polar and non-polar nature, hydrogen bonding, chemical stability
Caffeine contains ___ atoms that allow it to exhibit both acidic and basic properties.
nitrogen
However, caffeine primarily acts as a ___ ___ due to the lone pairs on nitrogen atom.
weak base
The presence of ____ and ____ makes caffeine partially ____, contributing to its moderate solubility in water.
nitrogen and oxygen (carbonyl groups), polar
Caffeine’s ____ ___ __, make it soluble in organic solvents such as ethyl acetate and dichloromethane.
non-polar methyl groups
Caffeine can act as a ___ ___ ___ through its carbonly groups, but it cannot donate hydrogen bonds.
hydrogen bond acceptor
Caffeine is resistant to _____ and is stable under normal conditions.
oxidation
Howeverm caffeine decomposes under extreme ____ and breaks down in acidic or basic environments over time.
heat
Caffeine is a ____ that affects the ____ __ ___.
stimulant, Central Nervous System (CNS)
As a stimulant, caffeine blocks ___ ____ (A1 and A2A), preventing drowsiness and increasing alertness.
adenosine receptors
The blocking of adenosine receptors enhance the release of ___ and ____, improving mood and cognitive function.
dopamine and norepinephrine
Caffeine’s metabolized primarily in the ____, via the ____ ____ ___ ___ (CYP1A2).
liver, cytochrome P450 enzyme system
