2 8o SCIENCE PROGRESS 



to be isomeric with morphine, was at first designated " para- 

 morphine? Anderson, 1 however, and also Hesse, 2 by the 

 analysis of a number of its salts, proved that its correct 

 formula was C 19 H 2 i0 3 N. 



These three alkaloids form what is called the morphine 

 group. The first member of this group crystallises from 

 alcohol in small colourless prisms and melts, with decom- 

 position, at 230° ; it is odourless, has a bitter taste, is slightly 

 soluble in water, is laevo-rotatory, and is a powerful narcotic. 

 The second, codeine, crystallises in colourless prisms or 

 octahedra belonging to the rhombic system, and melts at 153 ; 

 it is only slightly soluble in water, is lasvo-rotatory, possesses 

 a bitter taste and also narcotic properties. Thebaine, the last 

 member, crystallises in glistening tablets, and melts at 193 . 



Morphine is so readily oxidised that it reduces gold and 

 silver salts in the cold, whilst its solution in alkali is capable 

 of absorbing oxygen from the air. It is also easily attacked by 

 such oxidising agents as nitric acid, potassium permanganate, 

 and potassium ferricyanide. In these reactions a non- 

 poisonous substance soluble in alkali and variously designated 

 oxymorphine, oxydimorphine, or dehydromorphine is formed. 

 Hesse 3 has shown that this body is identical with the pseudo- 

 morphine discovered by Pelletier and Thiboumery in opium. 

 Some doubt appears to exist as to its correct formula, which, 

 according to Polstorff 4 and Hesse, 5 may be either C 3 4H 3G 6 N 2 or 

 (Ci 7 H, 8 3 N) 2 . Thus the action of mild oxidising agents upon 

 morphine may be represented by the equation — 



2C I7 H, 9 0,N + O = (C 17 H, 8 0sN) 2 + H 2 



Morphine Pseudoraorphine 



The stronger oxidation of morphine with nitric acid results in 

 the formation, according to Chastaing, 6 of a tetrabasic acid of 

 the formula C 2 oHa0 18 N, whereas when the action is allowed to 

 become still more energetic, the molecule is broken down and 

 picric acid obtained. 



Dehydrating agents such as oxalic acid, sulphuric acid, 

 hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, the alkalis, or a concentrated 



1 Anna/en, 86, 186. 4 Ber. 19, 1760. 



3 Ibid. 153, 69. 5 Annalen, 235, 231. 



3 Ibid. 141, 87. 6 Compt. rend. 94, 44. 



