3,7-DIMETHYL-1H-PURINE-2,6-DIONE (THEOBROMINE )

Product Description

37Dimethyl1Hpurine26dione commonly known as Theobromine is a naturally occurring alkaloid of the methylxanthine class It is found primarily in cacao beans tea leaves and other plant sources Heres a detailed overview

 Chemical Information

 Common Name Theobromine  

 Chemical Formula C7H8N4O2  

 Molecular Weight 18016 gmol  

 Structure  

   A purine derivative with two ketone groups at the 2nd and 6th positions  

   Methyl groups attached at the 3rd and 7th positions of the purine ring

 Physical Properties

 Appearance White crystalline powder  

 Melting Point Approximately 350C with decomposition  

 Solubility  

   Slightly soluble in water  

   Soluble in organic solvents like ethanol and methanol  

 Natural Occurrence

Theobromine is most commonly found in  

 Cacao Beans A primary source making it present in chocolate and cocoa products  

 Tea Leaves Found in small amounts in black and green tea  

 Other Plants Found in kola nuts and guarana

 Biological Activity

1 Pharmacological Effects  

    Acts as a mild stimulant similar to caffeine but less potent  

    Relaxes smooth muscles particularly in the bronchial airways  

    Functions as a diuretic and vasodilator promoting urine production and widening blood vessels  

2 Health Effects  

    Humans Can have positive effects such as improved mood and focus but excessive consumption may lead to restlessness or insomnia  

    Animals Toxic to dogs cats and some other animals because they metabolize it much slower than humans

 Applications

1 Food Industry  

    Found in chocolate and cocoabased products as a natural component  

2 Pharmaceuticals  

    Investigated for use in treating asthma due to its bronchodilatory effects  

    May be studied for its diuretic and cardiac stimulant properties  

3 Research  

    Utilized in studies exploring xanthine derivatives effects on the human body

 Safety and Handling

 Toxicity  

    Safe in moderate doses for humans  

    Can cause theobromine poisoning in animals like dogs if consumed in large amounts eg from chocolate  

 Handling  

    Use gloves and goggles during handling in industrial or laboratory settings  

 Storage  

    Store in a cool dry place away from light and moisture

 Chemical Reactivity

 Functional Groups  

   Ketone groups make it a stable compound under normal conditions  

   Methyl groups influence its interaction with receptors in the body  

 Decomposition  

   Stable at room temperature but may decompose under prolonged heating or exposure to strong acidsbases

Would you like information on its synthesis specific pharmacokinetics or how it compares to caffeine