Title:  Ricinine 
CAS Registry Number:  524-40-3 
CAS Name:  1,2-Dihydro-4-methoxy-1-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyridinecarbonitrile 
Additional Names:  1,2-dihydro-4-methoxy-1-methyl-2-oxonicotinonitrile;  ricidine 
Molecular Formula:  C8H8N2O2 
Molecular Weight:  164.16 
Percent Composition:  C 58.53%, H 4.91%, N 17.06%, O 19.49% 
Literature References:  From seeds and leaves of the castor plant, Ricinus communis L., Euphorbiaceae.  Extraction procedure:  Böttcher, Ber. 51, 673 (1918).  Synthesis starting with polymerization of cyanoacetyl chloride:  Schroeter et al., Ber. 65, 432 (1932).  Biosynthesis:  Waller, Henderson, J. Biol. Chem. 236, 1186 (1961); Essery et al., Can. J. Chem. 41, 1142 (1963). 
Properties:  Prisms, needles from alc, mp 201.5°.  Sublimes at 170-180° under 20 mm pressure.  Sparingly sol in water, alc, chloroform, ether.  Neutral to litmus.  Does not form salts with acids. 
Melting point:  mp 201.5° 
CAUTION:  Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, hepatic and renal damage, convulsions, coma, hypotension, respiratory depression, death.   |