Bible Encyclopedias
Pilocarpine

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

C11H16N202, an alkaloid found, together with isopilocarpine and other related compounds, in the leaves of jaborandi (Pilocarpus pennatifolius). It was first isolated by E. Hardy in 1875 (Ber., 8, p. 1594), and is a crystalline, very hygroscopic solid. It is a strong poison. It has the properties of a monacid base and contains the methylamino group, NCH3. When heated with hydrochloric acid it gives isopilocarpine. Isopilocarpine was isolated in 1900 by H. A. D. Jowett (Journ. Chem. Soc. 77, I?473), and is a colourless oil which boils at 261° C. (10 mm.). Tt is a monacid base which is readily soluble in solutions of the cans' is alkalis. Jowett is of the opinion that pilocarpine and isopilocarpine are stereo-isomers of the structure: - 7CH N. CH 3C2H5 CH CO N C CH :C - CH2 - CHCH2/0

Bibliography Information
Chisholm, Hugh, General Editor. Entry for 'Pilocarpine'. 1911 Encyclopedia Britanica. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​bri/​p/pilocarpine.html. 1910.