STRYCHNINE. 
§ 394-1 
327 
tains a CO.N group and a CHOH group ; it contains one benzene ring 
united to a quinoline nucleus. The authors suggest that the remarkable 
poisonous properties of strychnine are due to the grouping, 
I 
C 
N C— 
I I 
CO N 
\/ 
ch 2 
Schotten ( Ber ., 1888, 21) has called attention to the fact that a-keto- 
piperidine (a-piperidone), 
NH CH„ 
I I “ 
CO CH„ 
\/ 
CH, 
id 
has poisonous properties similar to strychnine and brucine—probably the 
introduction of the second nitrogen atom intensifies the toxic action. 
Brucine is methoxystrychnine. 
If a speck of strychnine be placed in the subliming cell, it will be 
found to sublime usually in a crystalline form at 169°. A common 
form at this temperature, according to the writers’ own observations, 
is minute needles, disposed in lines ; but, as Dr Guy has remarked, the 
sublimate may consist of drops, of wavy patterns, and various other 
forms ; and, further, while the sublimates of morphia are made up of 
curved lines, those of strychnine consists of lines either straight or 
slightly curved, with parallel feathery lines at right angles. On con¬ 
tinuing the heat, strychnine melts at about 221°, and the lower disc, 
if removed and examined, is found to have a resinous residue ; but it 
still continues to yield sublimates until reduced to a spot of carbon. 
The melting-point, taken in a tube, is 268°. 
Strychnine is so powerfully bitter that one part dissolved in 70,000 
of water is distinctly perceptible ; it is a strong base, with a marked 
alkaline reaction, neutralising the strongest acids fully, and precipitat¬ 
ing many metallic oxides from their combinations, often with the 
formation of double salts. Most of the salts of strychnine are crystal¬ 
line, and all extremely bitter. Strychnine, in the presence of oxygen, 
combines with SH 2 to form a beautiful crystalline compound— 
2C 21 H 22 N 2 0 2 +6H 2 S+0 3 =2(C 21 H 22 N 2 0 2 )3H 2 S 2 +3H 2 0. 
On treatment with an acid this compound yields H 2 S 2 .—Schmidt, Ber. 
deutsch. chem. Ges ., viii. 1267. 
In solution in alcohol of density of 0*8543 strychnine polarises light 
to the left at 20° [a] n = —114*7° in a, concentration of 0*25 per cent. ; 
