Ephedrine

Ephedrine (EPH) is a sympathomimetic amine commonly used as a decongestant. Chemically, it is an alkaloid derived from various plants in the genus Ephedra (family Ephedraceae). The salt ephedrine hydrochloride has found various uses which utilise its sympathomimetic effect.

Chemistry

Ephedrine exhibits optical isomerism and has two chiral centres. By convention the enantiomers with opposite stereochemistry around the chiral centres are designated ephedrine, while pseudoephedrine has same stereochemistry around the chiral carbons. That is, (1R,2R)- and (1S,2S)-enantiomers are designated pseudoephedrine; while (1R,2S)- and (1S,2R)-enantiomers are designated ephedrine.

Related Topics:
Optical isomer - Enantiomer

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The isomer which is marketed is (-)-(1R,2S)-ephedrine. (Reynolds, 1988)

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As with other phenylethylamines, it is also somewhat chemically similar to methamphetamine, although the methamphetamines are more potent and have additional biological effects which are absent from ephedrine.

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Ephedrine may also be referred to as: (αR)-α-benzenemethanol, α-benzyl alcohol, or L-erythro-2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1-ol. Ephedrine hydrochloride has a melting point of 187-188°C. (Budavari, 1996)

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