2204. Choline

Nomenclature

CAS number: 62-49-7
2-Hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium; (β-hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium; bilineurine.
[C5H14NO]+.

Description and references

Basic constituent of lecithin. Found in many plants and animal organs, e.g. bile, brain, yolk of eggs, hops, belladonna, strophanthus. Usually made synthetically from trimethylamine and ethylene chlorohydrin or ethylene oxide: Blackett, Soliday, US 2774759 (1956 to Am. Cyanamid). Review: T. H. Jukes in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology vol. 6 (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 3rd ed., 1979) pp 19-28.

Chemical structure

Derivative

Hydroxide.

Nomenclature

Bursine; fagine; gossypine; luridine; sincaline; vidine.
C5H15NO2; mol wt 121.18.
C 49.56%, H 12.48%, N 11.56%, O 26.41%.

Properties

Viscid, strongly alkaline liq, has been crystallized; absorbs CO2 from the air. Very sol in water, alcohol. Insol in ether. Keep tightly closed.