4729. Homarine

Nomenclature

CAS number: 445-30-7
2-Carboxy-1-methylpyridinium inner salt; 1-methyl-2-pyridinium carboxylate; picolinic acid N-methylbetaine; N-methylpicolinic acid.
C7H7NO2; mol wt 137.14.
C 61.31%, H 5.14%, N 10.21%, O 23.33%.

Description and references

Quaternary ammonium base occurring in tissues of marine animals such as sea urchin, Arabacia pustulosa, jellyfish, Velella spirans, lugworm, Arenicola marina. Isoln: Hoppe-Seyler, Z. Physiol. Chem. 222, 105 (1933). Prepn: Kosower, Patton, J. Org. Chem. 26, 1318 (1961); Quast, Schmitt, Ann. 732, 64 (1970). Review of distribution and function in animals: Brodzicki, Kosmos (Warsaw) 16A, 431- 438 (1967), C.A. 68, 18617v (1968).

Chemical structure

Properties

Crystals from methanol. Does not have a melting point, slowly carbonizes when heated. Absorption spectrum: Gasteiger et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 90, 624 (1962).

Derivative

Hydrochloride.
C7H7NO2.HCl; mol wt 173.60.
C 48.43%, H 4.64%, N 8.07%, O 18.43%, Cl 20.42%.

Properties

Fine needles, dec 170-175°. Freely sol in water, less sol in methanol and ethanol.