Chem 335 - Winter 2000
Organic Chemistry II
Dr. Carl C. Wamser

Molecule of the Week #1

Procaine

Dr. Wamser,

Hi! I wanted to submit the answer to the molecule of the week.
I believe that it is Procaine, also known as Novocaine. This regional
anesthetic is commonly used in dentistry and surgery because it acts as a
nerve block. Procaine, ( its molecular formula C13 N2 O2 H20 ) stops the
generation and conduction of nerve impulses that signal pain.

References:
http://chemfinder.com
http://www.funkandwagnalls.com/encyclopedia/low/articles/p/p020001021f.html

Thanks!
Targol Saedi

Here's a response received slightly earlier that evening from a non-class member.

Its Procaine !!!!

CAS 59-46-1

PROCAINE, a regional anesthetic, commonly referred to by its trademark
Novocaine, used in dentistry and surgery. Procaine hydrochloride, as this
alkaloid is properly called, was first synthesized in 1905. It quickly
replaced cocaine, because it is easier to synthesize and sterilize, has a
shorter duration of action, is nonaddictive, and is four to six times
less toxic. Procaine, like other local anesthetics such as tetracain,
acts as a nerve block, halting the generation and conduction of nerve
impulses that signal pain. In dentistry it permits painless tooth
extraction. In minor surgery it is commonly used together with a
vasoconstrictor drug that restricts blood flow. It is also used in
obstetrics and sometimes for relief of pain in the lower back. Some
individuals are hypersensitive to procaine and develop hives when the
drug is injected beneath the skin.

Synonyms: Allocaine; Alocaine; Aminocaine; Anesthol; Anestil;
Atoxicocaine; Bernacaine; Cetain; Ethocaine; Eugerase; Irocaine;
Isocaine-Asid; Isocaine-Heisler; Jenacaine; Juvocaine; Kerocaine;
Medaject; Naucaine; Neocaine; Paracain; Planocaine; Scurocaine;
Sevicaine; Syncaine; Topolkain; Westocaine; Novocaine; Topocaine;
Sycaine; 4-Aminobenzoic acid 2-(diethylamino)-ethyl ester hydrochloride;
p-Aminobenzoyldiethylaminoethanol hydrochloride; Benzoic acid, 4-amino-,
2-(diethylamino)ethyl ester, monohydrochloride; 2-(Diethylamino)ethyl
4-aminobenzoate hydrochloride; Novocain hydrochloride

Just wanted to be the first one in the new millennium to get a right
answer even if it doesn't count.

Brian