nicotine

[English, ., nicot ( iana ); -ine (Chem.).] Chem.: C10H14N2. An acrid poisonous alkaloid found in tobacco leaves to the extent of from 1 to 5 per cent. It may be prepared by pa ing a current of steam through a mixture of lime and powdered tobacco, neutralizing the liquic which comes over with sulphuric acid, adding ammonia to liberate the nicotine, and di olving the latter in ether. The ethereal solution yields almost pure nicotine. It is a colorle transparent oil, which boils at 250°, and does not freeze at-10°. Specific gravity, 1.027 at 15° It has a strongly alkaline re-action, and turns the plane of polarization to the left. Soluble in water, alcohol, ether, and the fat oils, and its characteristic re-action is the formation of a kermes-brown precipitate with tincture of iodine. Nicotine forms with which their eggs are enveloped or cemented together. nidamental-rib