Effects of Caffeine, Uses and Chemical Tests

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Molecular Formula of Caffeine:

The molecular formula of caffeine is C8H10O2N4.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Caffeine:

Caffeine occurs as a white powder with bitter taste, it does not have any odour.

English: Chemical structure of Caffeine. Franç...

English: Chemical structure of Caffeine. Français : Structure chimique de la caféine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is a weak base and is feebly soluble in water, chloroform, alcohol and solvent ether. Its solubility in water can be increased in the presence of benzoates, bromides, citric acid and salicylates.

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Chemical Tests for identification of caffeine:

1. Murexide colour reaction : Caffeine and other purine alkaloids gives the murexide colour reaction. Caffeine is taken in a petridish, to it hydrochloric acid and potassium chlorate are added. This mixture is heated to dryness. When the residue is exposed to vapours of dilute ammonia, a purple colour is obtained. If a fixed alkali is added, the purple colour is lost.

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2. White precipitate is obtained when caffeine is mixed with tannic acid solution.

Uses of Caffeine:

  • Central Nervous System stimulant
  • It has cerebral vasoconstrictor effect
  • It is used as a specific analgesic in migraine when given along with the ergotamine tartarate.
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