We just did a lab that focused on the extraction of caffeine from a tea bag and one of the questions I cannot figure out is if caffeine is acidic, basic or neutral? Does anyone know? I've been thinking it's neutral, but I don't know why...does it have anything to do with it's molecular structure, C8H10N4O2...any help would be greatly appreciated.
2007-10-18 10:51:06 · 4 answers · asked by James B 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Caffeine is basic in that it has amino nitrogen atoms, and these make the molecule react with acids like HCl. In this, caffeine is like cocaine. As you know from folklore, one can have cocaine hydrochloride, in which the basic alkaloid has reacted with HCl. One can liberate the free base by reaction with alkali followed by extraction. This produces crack cocaine. In your lab, you may be called upon to isolate caffeine as the hydrochloride salt or the free alkaloid.
2007-10-18 10:58:51 · answer #1 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Caffeine increases heartbeat, respiration, basal metabolic rate, gastroenteric reflexes, and the production of stomach acid and urine; and it relaxes smooth muscles, notably the bronchial muscle. All of these changes vary considerably among people and may depend upon the individual's sensitivity to this drug, his/her metabolism, or upon whether the consumer habitually uses or rarely uses caffeine. How long caffeine's effects last is influenced by the person's hormonal status, whether he/she smokes or takes medications, or has a disease that impairs liver functioning.
Subjectively, people report that caffeine gives them a "lift." They feel less drowsy, less fatigued, more capable of rapid and sustained intellectual effort. They also report improved performance of some manual tasks such as driving. However, caffeine may restore only those abilities or feelings the person had before fatigue or boredom set in. Studies have also shown that caffeine decreases reaction time to both visual and auditory stimuli; it does not significantly alter numerical reasoning (arithmetic skills) or short-term memory; and it can diminish performance of manual tasks that involve delicate muscular coordination and accurate timing
which mean akaly...which is acidic
2007-10-18 11:07:01 · answer #2 · answered by Bryan K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know its Acidic but don't have any info in regards to science.
2007-10-18 10:54:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol, teabag!! :D
oh, right, and its acitic.
2007-10-18 11:00:53 · answer #4 · answered by James Kikass 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋