Overview

Nicotine (NIK-uh-teen) is a thick, colorless to yellow, oily liquid with a bitter taste that turns brown when exposed to air. It occurs in high concentrations in the leaves of tobacco plants and in lower concentrations in tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and green peppers. Nicotine gets its name from the tobacco plant, Nicotiana tabacum, which, in turn, was named in honor of the French diplomat and scholar Jean Nicot (1530–1600), who introduced the use of tobacco to Paris. Nicotine's correct chemical structure was determined in 1843 by the Belgian chemist and physicist Louise Melsens (1814–1886) and the compound was first synthesized by the research team of A. Pictet and A. Rotschy in 1904.

Key Facts

Other Names:

r(S)-3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)pyridine; 1-methyl-2-(3-pyridyl)-pyrrolidine

Formula:

C₅H₄NC₄H₇NCH₃

Elements:

Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen

Compound Type:

Alkaloid (organic)

State:

Liquid

Molecular Weight:

162.23 g/mol

Melting Point:

−79°C (−110°F...