SEMI SYNTHETIC DERIVATIVES
Cocaine hydrochloride
Molecular formula: C₁₇H₂₁NO₄,HCl

Cocaine hydrochloride is composed of a cocaine and hydrochloric acid in aqueous solution. It is significantly more stable than cocaine.⁶ Cocaine hydrochloride has a higher melting point than cocaine at approximately 198°C. In contrast to cocaine, cocaine hydrochloride is very soluble in water and alcohol and relatively insoluble in organic solvents.^8,13 Its solubility in water allows cocaine hydrochloride to be administered via injection for medicinal use. Cocaine hydrochloride has is the preferred form of cocaine for medicinal use.¹⁴ An example where cocaine hydrochloride is used in medicine is its use in eye drops.⁸

* Image from http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/chemidheavy.jsp [07/07/05].
** Image from http://www.tagohio.com/images/cocaine%20hydrochloride%20HCI.jpg [08/07/05].

© William V. 2005. All rights reserved.