JCE 2004 (81) 1366 [Sep] Alkaloids: Strychnine, Codeine, Heroin, and Morphine


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Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2004 > September >

Research: Science and Education

Featured Molecules

Alkaloids: Strychnine, Codeine, Heroin, and Morphine

William F. Coleman
Chemistry Department, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02481

September 2004
Vol. 81 No. 9
p. 1366

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The featured molecules this month come from the article “The Conversion of Carboxylic Acids to Ketones: A Repeated Discovery” by John W. Nicholson and Alan D. Wilson. The authors describe the repeated “discovery” of this reaction and illustrate its central role in Woodward’s total synthesis of strychnine. Strychnine is a member of a large class of nitrogen heterocycles known as alkaloids, a name derived from the fact that all produce basic solutions in water. Other well-known members of this class of compounds, all of which are pharmacologically active, are nicotine, atropine (deadly nightshade), quinine, lysergic acid, cocaine, and the three structurally similar compounds codeine, heroin, and morphine.

Fully manipulable (Chime) versions of these molecules appear below. These and other molecules are available at Only@JCE Online

Image of molecule.

Figure1. Strychnine molecule. Interactive Chime-based structure (top); static structure graphic (bottom)

More Information
Citation	Coleman, William F. J. Chem. Educ. 2004 81 1366.
Keywords	Internet; Molecular Modeling / Dynamics; Molecular Properties / Structure
History	Created: Last Updated:	July 28, 2004 August 13, 2004


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