Chemical Properties of Ephedrine

Chemical Formula - C₁₀H₁₅NO

Molar Mass - 165.23mol

Melting Point - 37-39°C.

Boiling Point - 255°C

Density in Natural State - 1.124

Location - Ephedrine is the primary molecule in the Chinese plant called Ma Huang.  It is naturally found in most parts of China and can be grown anywhere.  The ephedrine is extracted out of the leaves of Ma Huang. 

Natural Abundance - "Isotope ratio analyses at natural abundance levels have been used to establish the environmental source or the geographic origin of various biological and nonbiological materials.  ^{Typical values for natural organic compounds from C₃-photosynthetic plants are −28.1 ± 2.5,20 and this range is essentially the same as that observed for biosynthetic ephedrine."  Quote Taken from Source 1}

 

Structure

Ephedrine - Line View

On one end of the ephedrine molecule, six carbons are conjoined.  Every carbon has one double bond on its right (respectively).  Another carbon then separates from the six pack and holds an oxygen.  That same carbon leads to another carbon which holds a Nitrogen atom and a carbon atom, leading to another carbon.

% Mass Carbon - 72.79%

% Mass Oxygen - 9.70%

% Mass Nitrogen - 8.57%

% Mass Hydrogen - 9.24%

% Composition Carbon - 37.02%

% Composition Hydrogen - 55.55%

% Composition Oxygen - 3.715%

% Composition Nitrogen - 3.715%

 

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Quick Fact
          Ephedrine can be in powder form and snorted or in pill form and dissolved or chewed.  It just depends on how it is produced.