§ 336.] 
NICOTINE. 
277 
B.p. 
At Bar. p. 
D 10°/4°. 
D 2074°. 
. ,20° 
Natural nicotine, 1. 
rotatory 
1. Nicotine from the 
246-1-246-2 
730-5 
1-018 
1-0097 
-166-39° 
synthetised base . 
d. Nicotine from the 
246 -246-5 
734-5 
1-0177 
1-0092 
-160-93 
synthetised base . 
245-5-246-5 
729 
1-0171 
1-0094 
+ 163-17 
The physical constants of nicotine have been carefully determined 
by H. Jephcott ( J.O.S. , *T., 1919). Pure nicotine was prepared by two 
methods. The alkaloid obtained by steam distillation from tobacco was 
(a) dissolved in a slight excess of hydrochloric acid, and treated with 
sodium nitrite at a low temperature. The alkaloid was subsequently 
liberated by alkali, dehydrated, and distilled under diminished pressure. 
( b ) Commercial nicotine was converted into nicotineine chloride, twice 
crystallised, the nicotine liberated, dehydrated, and fractionally distilled 
under diminished pressure. It was necessary to use glass joints for all 
connections. Nicotine vapour rapidly attacks both rubber and cork. 
Prepared in either of the ways mentioned, nicotine is colourless, almost 
odourless, and, kept from air and light, keeps many months unchanged. 
Jephcott found the density of nicotine prepared from the nitroso com- 
20 ° . 20 ° 
pound to be 1-0092 D —, the rotation (lsevo) 168-52 [«] — ; that purified 
from the double chloride was practically the same. 
The influence of temperature on aqueous solutions was studied with 
regard to a weak solution (6-638 per cent.) and a strong solution (88-338 
per cent.) with the following results : — 
T. 
Percentage 
by Weight. 
D—• 
4° 
* 
20 " 
6-638 
1-00275 
76-82 
89° 
6-638 
0-96328 
95-29 
20 ° 
88-338 
1-0281 
134-16 
90° 
88-338 
0-98412 
150-34 
The effects of temperature on both rotation and density are therefore 
quite marked. The graphs illustrating density and rotation exhibit 
a series of maxima ; these agree with the molecular proportions of 
nicotine and water. 
The dextro-artificial nicotine has apparently a slighter and some¬ 
what different physiological action to ordinary nicotine. The odour of 
nicotine, especially on warming, is strong and unpleasantly like tobacco, 
and it has a sharp, caustic taste. It absorbs water when exposed to the 
air, and dissolves in water in all proportions, partly separating from 
