Experiment 10

CAFFEINE

Name:______________________________________

DATA and RESULTS

Weight of caffeine (g)

Moles of caffeine

Structure of caffeine:

Questions:

1.

Caffeine
belongs
to
what
class
of
compounds?

Caffeine belongs to the class of organic compounds known as Xanthines.

2.

Why
is
this
class
of
compounds
important?


Xanthines are capable of stimulating the central nervous system through antagonizing adenosine
receptors in neurons and temporarily alerts users. Their major pharmacologic actions are the inhibition of
tissue phosphodiesterases which increases cellular cyclic AMP (adenosine monophosphate) levels by
inhibition of its breakdown and metabolism. They have anti-inflammatory effects by releasing
intiinflammatory cytokines or modulating gene transcription or activitating histone decetylase. They also
stimulate muscle and cardiac cells and neurons. They also inhibit platelet function and arterial vasodilation
thus preventing arterial thrombosis and myocardial infarction as well as stroke.

3. Name
and
draw
structures
of other
 compounds
in
the
same
class
as
caffeine.


NAME STRUCTURE USES

- relaxes smooth muscles in
the airway, making breathing
Theophylline easier while also stimulating
both the rate and force of heart
contractions.
 Theobromine - stimulate the heart, but it
does have a mild diuretic effect
and improves blood flow
around the body, leading to a
net reduction in blood pressure

-acts as potent, antagonist of

paraxanthine adenosine receptors A1, A2A and
A2B
- increase the transport of
potassium ions into skeletal
muscles

4. What
are
the
physiological
effects
of
caffeine?

- Increased breathing and heart rate, increased alertness and physical energy
- Acts as a central nervous stimulant thus people become more alert and energetic
- Improve mood and help make people more effective
- Increased excitability in the brain by blocking the neurotransmitter adenosine receptors

5. What
are
tannins?

Why
are
they
used?

How
is
their
presence
in
brewed
tea
minimized?
Tannins are naturally occurring polyphenols found in plants, seeds, bark, woods, leaves and fruit skins.
It came from the ancient Latin term “tanner” which refers to the use of tree bark to tan hides.
Tannins are utilized in photography, as mordants in dyeing, clarifying wine and beer by precipitating
proteins out of them and as astringents in medicine.
Adding milk or lemon juice on tea could neutralize tannins. Milk binds to tannins in tea thus lowers its
astringency. Gelatin could also reduce tannin concentrations which removes the sharpness of black teas.


 6. Why
is
it
possible
to
extract
caffeine
from
a
water
solution
by
using
chloroform?

Can
all
of

the
caffeine
be
extracted?

Caffeine is more soluble in chloroform thus caffeine can be extracted by chloroform from the aqueous
mixture leaving behind tannin salts. Chloroform is better solvent to separate and purify caffeine from
solutions.

6.

Look
up
the
structure
of
phenobarbital.


7.

What
are
the
physiological
effects
of
phenobarbital?


Dizziness, drowsiness, excitation, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting.

Can also cause hyperactivity, behavioral problems, sedation and dementia