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Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a technique used for detecting and quantifying brucine.
Answer: True
Explanation: Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is indeed a recognized analytical technique employed for the detection and quantification of brucine.
A red color change occurs when formic acid is added to a mixture containing brucine and potassium nitrate, indicating the presence of nitrates.
Answer: True
Explanation: The reaction of brucine with potassium nitrate in the presence of formic acid produces an immediate red color, serving as a colorimetric test for nitrates.
Brucine has a molar mass of approximately 394.471 grams per mole.
Answer: True
Explanation: The molar mass of brucine is accurately stated as approximately 394.471 g/mol.
Brucine melts at a temperature significantly below freezing point of water.
Answer: False
Explanation: Brucine melts at 178 degrees Celsius, which is significantly above the freezing point of water (0 degrees Celsius).
The CAS Registry Number for brucine is 357-57-3.
Answer: True
Explanation: The CAS Registry Number for brucine is indeed 357-57-3, serving as a unique identifier.
Brucine is chemically identical to strychnine.
Answer: False
Explanation: While chemically related and convertible into the same molecule, brucine and strychnine are distinct compounds with different structures and properties.
Brucine's chemical formula is C23H26N2O4.
Answer: True
Explanation: The chemical formula for brucine is correctly stated as C23H26N2O4.
What is brucine primarily classified as?
Answer: A naturally occurring alkaloid that is poisonous
Explanation: Brucine is primarily classified as a poisonous, naturally occurring alkaloid.
Which analytical technique is mentioned in the source for detecting and quantifying brucine?
Answer: Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
Explanation: Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) is cited as a technique for detecting and quantifying brucine.
What observable reaction indicates the presence of nitrates when brucine and potassium nitrate are mixed with formic acid?
Answer: The solution turns red instantly.
Explanation: The presence of nitrates is indicated by an immediate red color change when brucine and potassium nitrate are reacted with formic acid.
The IUPAC name for brucine is given as:
Answer: 2,3-Dimethoxystrychnidin-10-one
Explanation: The official IUPAC name for brucine is 2,3-Dimethoxystrychnidin-10-one.
Brucine is a synthetic alkaloid first isolated in the early 20th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: Brucine is a naturally occurring alkaloid, not a synthetic one. It was discovered in 1819, not the early 20th century.
The primary natural source from which brucine is commonly extracted is the *Strychnos nux-vomica* tree.
Answer: True
Explanation: Brucine is indeed most commonly extracted from the *Strychnos nux-vomica* tree, also known as the poison nut tree.
The name 'brucine' originates from the genus *Brucea*, which was named in honor of James Bruce, an explorer who introduced *Brucea antidysenterica* from Ethiopia.
Answer: True
Explanation: The nomenclature of brucine is derived from the genus *Brucea*, established in honor of James Bruce, who introduced the plant *Brucea antidysenterica* from Ethiopia.
Brucine was first discovered in 1819 by the French chemists Pierre Joseph Pelletier and Joseph Bienaimé Caventou.
Answer: True
Explanation: The initial isolation and discovery of brucine were accomplished in 1819 by the French chemists Pierre Joseph Pelletier and Joseph Bienaimé Caventou.
Brucine was initially isolated from the seeds of the *Strychnos nux-vomica* tree.
Answer: False
Explanation: Brucine was initially isolated from the bark of the *Strychnos nux-vomica* tree, not the seeds.
In 1884, chemist Hanssen proved that brucine and strychnine could be converted into different, unrelated molecules.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 1884, Hanssen demonstrated that brucine and strychnine could be converted into the *same* molecule, establishing their close chemical relationship.
Historically, brucine was distinguished from strychnine by its identical reaction patterns with chromic acid.
Answer: False
Explanation: Historically, brucine was distinguished from strychnine by their *different* reaction patterns when treated with chromic acid.
In which plant is brucine most commonly found?
Answer: *Strychnos nux-vomica*
Explanation: Brucine is most commonly found in the *Strychnos nux-vomica* tree.
The name 'brucine' originates from a genus named in honor of which historical figure?
Answer: James Bruce
Explanation: The genus *Brucea*, from which 'brucine' is derived, was named in honor of the explorer James Bruce.
Who were the French scientists credited with the initial discovery of brucine?
Answer: Pelletier and Caventou
Explanation: Pierre Joseph Pelletier and Joseph Bienaimé Caventou, French chemists, are credited with the initial discovery of brucine in 1819.
From which specific part of the *Strychnos nux-vomica* tree was brucine first isolated?
Answer: The bark
Explanation: Brucine was first isolated from the bark of the *Strychnos nux-vomica* tree.
What did Hanssen demonstrate in 1884 regarding the chemical relationship between brucine and strychnine?
Answer: Both can be converted into the same molecule.
Explanation: Hanssen's 1884 work showed that both brucine and strychnine could be chemically converted into the same molecular structure, indicating a close relationship.
How did chemists historically differentiate brucine from strychnine?
Answer: By their reaction patterns with chromic acid
Explanation: Historically, the differentiation between brucine and strychnine was achieved by observing their distinct reaction patterns when treated with chromic acid.
The historical differentiation of brucine from strychnine using chromic acid relied on:
Answer: Different reaction patterns
Explanation: The historical method for distinguishing brucine from strychnine involved observing their different reaction patterns when treated with chromic acid.
In chemical synthesis, brucine can be employed to facilitate the creation of molecules with a specific three-dimensional structure.
Answer: True
Explanation: Brucine's chiral nature makes it a valuable tool in stereospecific chemical syntheses, enabling the creation of molecules with precise three-dimensional arrangements.
Due to its large chiral molecular structure, brucine is valuable for separating mirror-image forms of molecules.
Answer: True
Explanation: Brucine's significant chiral structure allows it to be used effectively in chiral resolution, a process critical for separating enantiomers (mirror-image isomers).
Fisher first reported the use of brucine as a resolving agent in the year 1899.
Answer: True
Explanation: The use of brucine as a resolving agent was first documented by Fisher in 1899.
Marckwald reported in 1904 that brucine was the first *synthetic* compound successfully used as an organocatalyst for enantiomeric enrichment.
Answer: False
Explanation: Marckwald reported in 1904 that brucine was the first *natural product* used as an organocatalyst for enantiomeric enrichment, not a synthetic compound.
Brucine's bromide salt has been employed in High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) as a component of the mobile phase.
Answer: False
Explanation: Brucine's bromide salt has been utilized as a *stationary phase* in HPLC columns, not as a component of the mobile phase.
Brucine is used in fractional crystallization processes, specifically in acetone, to separate compounds like dihydroxy fatty acids.
Answer: True
Explanation: Brucine is indeed employed in fractional crystallization, often in acetone, for the separation of compounds such as dihydroxy fatty acids and diaryl carbinols.
Brucine's chiral nature is irrelevant for its use in chemical resolution.
Answer: False
Explanation: Brucine's chiral nature is highly relevant and essential for its application in chemical resolution, enabling the separation of enantiomers.
Which of the following is a practical application of brucine in chemical synthesis?
Answer: As a tool for stereospecific chemical syntheses
Explanation: Brucine's chiral structure makes it valuable for stereospecific syntheses, enabling the control of molecular three-dimensional arrangements.
Brucine's utility in chiral resolution stems from which property?
Answer: Its large chiral molecular structure
Explanation: The effectiveness of brucine in chiral resolution is directly attributed to its large and complex chiral molecular structure.
In what year did Fisher first document the use of brucine as a resolving agent?
Answer: 1899
Explanation: Fisher first reported the application of brucine as a resolving agent in the year 1899.
What significant achievement in organocatalysis was reported by Marckwald in 1904 involving brucine?
Answer: It was the first natural product used to achieve enantiomeric enrichment.
Explanation: Marckwald's 1904 report highlighted brucine as the first natural product successfully employed as an organocatalyst to achieve enantiomeric enrichment.
How has brucine's bromide salt been employed in HPLC?
Answer: As a stationary phase in columns for separating ionic enantiomers.
Explanation: Brucine's bromide salt has been utilized as a stationary phase in HPLC columns, facilitating the separation of ionic enantiomers.
Brucine is used in fractional crystallization, often in acetone, for separating which types of compounds?
Answer: Dihydroxy fatty acids and diaryl carbinols
Explanation: Brucine is employed in fractional crystallization processes, particularly in acetone, for the separation of compounds such as dihydroxy fatty acids and diaryl carbinols.
What is the significance of brucine being a chiral molecule in chemistry?
Answer: It allows it to be used in separating enantiomers.
Explanation: As a chiral molecule, brucine possesses a non-superimposable mirror image structure, which is fundamental to its utility in separating enantiomers (chiral resolution).
Brucine poisoning is considered common because brucine is significantly more toxic than strychnine.
Answer: False
Explanation: Brucine poisoning is considered rare because brucine is significantly less toxic than strychnine. When ingested together, the more potent effects of strychnine are typically observed first.
Common symptoms of brucine intoxication include muscle relaxation and euphoria.
Answer: False
Explanation: Symptoms of brucine intoxication typically include muscle spasms and convulsions, not muscle relaxation and euphoria.
Brucine mimics strychnine's mechanism of action by acting as an antagonist at glycine receptors, thus paralyzing inhibitory neurons.
Answer: True
Explanation: Brucine functions similarly to strychnine by antagonizing glycine receptors, leading to the paralysis of inhibitory neurons.
The estimated lethal dose of brucine for adult humans is approximately 10 grams.
Answer: False
Explanation: The probable lethal dose of brucine for adult humans is estimated to be 1 gram, significantly less than 10 grams.
The GHS pictogram for brucine typically depicts a flame.
Answer: False
Explanation: The GHS pictogram associated with brucine's toxicity is typically a skull, not a flame.
Brucine's GHS signal word is 'Warning'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Brucine's GHS signal word is 'Danger', indicating a higher level of hazard than 'Warning'.
H300 is a GHS hazard statement indicating that brucine is fatal if swallowed.
Answer: True
Explanation: The GHS hazard statement H300 specifically denotes that the substance is fatal if swallowed.
P270 is a precautionary statement advising users to wear respiratory protection when handling brucine.
Answer: False
Explanation: The precautionary statement P270 advises users 'Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.' Wearing respiratory protection is covered by P284.
Brucine is assigned UN number 1570 for transportation.
Answer: True
Explanation: UN number 1570 is assigned to brucine for regulatory purposes during transportation.
Brucine paralyzes inhibitory neurons by blocking glycine receptors.
Answer: True
Explanation: Brucine's mechanism of action involves blocking glycine receptors, which are crucial for inhibitory neurotransmission, leading to paralysis.
Brucine acts as an agonist at glycine receptors.
Answer: False
Explanation: Brucine acts as an *antagonist* at glycine receptors, not an agonist.
The LD50 for brucine in rabbits via oral administration is 4 mg/kg.
Answer: True
Explanation: The median lethal dose (LD50) for brucine in rabbits administered orally is documented as 4 mg/kg.
Brucine's GHS hazard statement H412 means it is non-toxic to aquatic life.
Answer: False
Explanation: The GHS hazard statement H412 signifies that brucine is *harmful* to aquatic life with long-lasting effects, not non-toxic.
Why is brucine poisoning relatively rare in clinical observations?
Answer: It is usually ingested alongside the much more toxic strychnine.
Explanation: Brucine poisoning is rare because it is often ingested with strychnine, which is considerably more toxic, leading to symptoms dominated by strychnine poisoning.
Which of the following is a symptom associated with brucine intoxication?
Answer: Muscle spasms and convulsions
Explanation: Muscle spasms and convulsions are characteristic symptoms of brucine intoxication.
Brucine's mechanism of action involves blocking which type of receptors in the nervous system?
Answer: Glycine receptors
Explanation: Brucine exerts its toxic effects by blocking glycine receptors in the nervous system.
What is the estimated probable lethal dose of brucine for adult humans?
Answer: 1 gram
Explanation: The estimated probable lethal dose of brucine for adult humans is approximately 1 gram.
Which of the following statements about brucine's toxicity is accurate according to the source?
Answer: It is less toxic than strychnine.
Explanation: Brucine is less toxic than strychnine. This difference in toxicity contributes to brucine poisoning being relatively rare when both are present.
What is the GHS pictogram associated with brucine typically represented by?
Answer: A skull
Explanation: The GHS pictogram commonly associated with brucine, due to its toxicity, is the skull symbol.
In traditional Chinese medicine, brucine is primarily utilized for its stimulant and energizing properties.
Answer: False
Explanation: In traditional Chinese medicine, brucine is primarily used for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, not for stimulant or energizing effects.
Brucine is used as a denaturant to make ethyl alcohol unfit for human consumption, allowing for tax-free industrial use.
Answer: True
Explanation: Brucine serves as a denaturant in industrial alcohol, rendering it unfit for consumption and thus eligible for tax-free industrial applications.
Brucine is found in some traditional medicines used in Ayurveda and homeopathy.
Answer: True
Explanation: Brucine is documented as being present in certain traditional medicinal preparations within Ayurveda and homeopathy.
Brucine is used to make industrial alcohol safe for drinking.
Answer: False
Explanation: Brucine is used as a denaturant to make industrial alcohol *unfit* for drinking, not safe for it.
Which traditional medicine system uses brucine as an anti-inflammatory agent and analgesic?
Answer: Traditional Chinese Medicine
Explanation: Traditional Chinese Medicine utilizes brucine for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
In the industrial processing of alcohol, brucine serves what purpose?
Answer: As a denaturant to make it unfit for consumption
Explanation: Brucine functions as a denaturant in industrial alcohol, rendering it unfit for human consumption.
Brucine is found in drugs used in which traditional medicine systems, besides Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Answer: Ayurveda and Homeopathy
Explanation: In addition to Traditional Chinese Medicine, brucine is also found in some traditional medicines used in Ayurveda and homeopathy.
Brucine's use as a denaturant for industrial alcohol means it is added to:
Answer: Render the alcohol unfit for human consumption
Explanation: When used as a denaturant, brucine is added to industrial alcohol to make it unfit for human consumption, thereby allowing for tax exemptions.
Brucine is famously referenced in Alexandre Dumas' classic novel *The Count of Monte Cristo*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The novel *The Count of Monte Cristo* by Alexandre Dumas features a notable reference to brucine.
In *The Count of Monte Cristo*, brucine is discussed as a potential component in developing immunity to poisons through gradual dosing.
Answer: True
Explanation: Within *The Count of Monte Cristo*, brucine is mentioned in the context of mithridatism, the practice of developing immunity to poisons through gradual exposure.
The film *The Mechanic*, released in 1972, depicts a character using brucine as a poison.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1972 film *The Mechanic* includes a plot point where a character utilizes brucine as a poison.
Fictional portrayals of brucine as a covert poison accurately reflect its extreme bitterness, making it easy to administer undetected.
Answer: False
Explanation: Fictional portrayals often fail to account for brucine's extreme bitterness, which would make covert administration difficult due to gag reflexes, despite its toxicity.
The extreme bitterness of brucine makes it an ideal covert poison in real-world scenarios.
Answer: False
Explanation: The extreme bitterness of brucine makes it impractical as a covert poison, as even small amounts would likely cause gagging and detection, contrary to fictional portrayals.
Brucine is famously referenced in which classic novel?
Answer: The Count of Monte Cristo
Explanation: Alexandre Dumas' novel, *The Count of Monte Cristo*, contains a notable reference to brucine.
How is brucine's extreme bitterness relevant to its portrayal as a poison?
Answer: Its bitterness makes it difficult to administer covertly.
Explanation: The extreme bitterness of brucine poses a challenge for covert administration, as it would likely be detected by taste, contrasting with some fictional depictions.