Alkaloids in commercial products
ID: 198774 | No.: 659 | Alfred Krause
School experiment from Year 5 onwardsCategory: Evidence
Test reaction:
[R3NH]X + K[BiI4] => [R3NH]K[BiI4] + KX
X = (OH)₂NO₃ X = simplified formula; the correct formula would be H₉Bi₅N₄O₂₂ = Bi₅O(OH)₉(NO₃)₄ Molar mass = 1461.98 g/mol (Source: Gestis database)
Detection of alkaloids in commercial products using Dragendorff’s reagent
Commercially available products such as nicotine shots, snus, tonic water and energy drinks are analysed and tested for alkaloids using Dragendorff’s reagent.
1. Energy drink
Approx. 5 ml of energy drink (from a can, bought in a supermarket) is poured into a test tube and degassed by shaking vigorously and heating gently. Next, 0.5 ml of Dragendorff’s reagent is added. No precipitate forms; the solution remains clear and yellow.
2. Nicotine shot
Nicotine shots are sold for the production of e-liquids for refilling e-cigarettes. The e-liquids can be produced by mixing propylene glycol, glycerine, flavourings and a nicotine shot.
A large drop of the nicotine shot is dispensed onto a watch glass by gently squeezing the bottle. Approximately 250 µl of this is drawn up using a plastic pipette and diluted with 10 ml of demineralised water. Add 250 µl of Dragendorff’s reagent to this solution. An orange-red precipitate of the forming nicotine complex immediately forms.
3. Snus
Open a snus pouch, add 4 ml of water to the contents and heat gently. Filter the suspension. Add 250 µl of Dragendorff’s reagent to the clear, yellowish filtrate. An orange-red precipitate forms immediately (see ‘Detection of nicotine in snus’, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22646193).
4. Tonic water
Approx. 5 ml of tonic water (from a supermarket) is poured into a test tube and degassed by shaking vigorously and heating gently. 0.5 ml of Dragendorff’s reagent is added to the solution. An orange precipitate forms immediately (quinine).
Test tubes, plastic pipettes, watch glasses, test tube racks, plastic funnels, pleated filters
| Name | Formula | CAS no. | H-statements | P-statements | Pictograms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffein | C₈H₁₀N₄O₂ | 58-08-2 |
H302
– Harmful if swallowed.
German original: Gesundheitsschädlich bei Verschlucken. |
P264
– After use … wash thoroughly.
German original: Nach Gebrauch ... gründlich waschen.
P270
– Do not eat, drink or smoke whilst using this product.
German original: Bei Gebrauch nicht essen, trinken oder rauchen.
P501
– Feed the contents / container ...
German original: Inhalt / Behälter ... zuführen.
P301+P312
– IF SWALLOWED: If you feel unwell, call the POISON INFORMATION CENTRE / a doctor ...
German original: BEI VERSCHLUCKEN: Bei Unwohlsein GIFTINFORMATIONSZENTRUM / Arzt ... anrufen. |
GHS07 |
| Nikotin | C₁₀H₁₄N₂ | 54-11-5 |
H315
– Causes skin irritation.
German original: Verursacht Hautreizungen.
H318
– Causes serious eye damage.
German original: Verursacht schwere Augenschäden.
H411
– Toxic to aquatic organisms, with long-term effects.
German original: Giftig für Wasserorganismen, mit langfristiger Wirkung.
H300+H310+H330
– Dangerous if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled
German original: Lebensgefahr bei Verschlucken, Hautkontakt oder Einatmen |
P273
– Avoid release into the environment.
German original: Freisetzung in die Umwelt vermeiden.
P280
– Wear protective gloves / protective clothing / eye protection / face protection.
German original: Schutzhandschuhe / Schutzkleidung / Augenschutz / Gesichtsschutz tragen.
P405
– Keep under lock and key.
German original: Unter Verschluss aufbewahren.
P501
– Feed the contents / container ...
German original: Inhalt / Behälter ... zuführen.
P301+P310
– IF SWALLOWED: Call the POISON INFORMATION CENTRE / a doctor ... immediately.
German original: BEI VERSCHLUCKEN: Sofort GIFTINFOMATIONSZENTRUM / Arzt ... anrufen.
P302+P352+P310
– IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water/... Call a POISON INFORMATION CENTRE/doctor/... immediately.
German original: BEI BERÜHRUNG MIT DER HAUT: Mit viel Wasser/... waschen. Sofort GIFTINFORMATIONSZENTRUM/Arzt/... anrufen. |
GHS05, GHS06, GHS09 |
| Wasser, entionisiert | H₂O | 7732-18-5 | |||
| Chinin | C₂₀H₂₄N₂O₂ | 130-95-0 |
H302
– Harmful if swallowed.
German original: Gesundheitsschädlich bei Verschlucken.
H317
– May cause allergic skin reactions.
German original: Kann allergische Hautreaktionen verursachen. |
P261
– Avoid inhaling dust, fumes, gas, mist, vapour or aerosols.
German original: Einatmen von Staub/Rauch/Gas/Nebel/Dampf/Aerosol vermeiden.
P264
– After use … wash thoroughly.
German original: Nach Gebrauch ... gründlich waschen.
P270
– Do not eat, drink or smoke whilst using this product.
German original: Bei Gebrauch nicht essen, trinken oder rauchen.
P280
– Wear protective gloves / protective clothing / eye protection / face protection.
German original: Schutzhandschuhe / Schutzkleidung / Augenschutz / Gesichtsschutz tragen.
P301+P312
– IF SWALLOWED: If you feel unwell, call the POISON INFORMATION CENTRE / a doctor ...
German original: BEI VERSCHLUCKEN: Bei Unwohlsein GIFTINFORMATIONSZENTRUM / Arzt ... anrufen.
P302+P352
– IF IT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE SKIN: Wash with plenty of water / ...
German original: BEI BERÜHRUNG MIT DER HAUT: Mit viel Wasser / ... waschen. |
GHS07 |
| Dragendorff-Reagenz (Munier) |
H318
– Causes serious eye damage.
German original: Verursacht schwere Augenschäden.
H360
– May impair fertility or harm the unborn child <specify the specific effect, if known><specify the route of exposure, provided there is conclusive evidence that the risk does not arise via any other route of exposure>.
German original: Kann die Fruchtbarkeit beeinträchtigen oder das Kind im Mutterleib schädigen <konkrete Wirkung angeben,sofernbekannt><Expositionsweg angeben, sofern schlüssig belegt ist, dass die Gefahr bei keinem anderen Expositionsweg besteht>.
H373
– May cause damage to organs <list all affected organs, where known> following prolonged or repeated exposure <specify the route of exposure if there is conclusive evidence that this risk does not exist via any other route of exposure>.
German original: Kann die Organe schädigen <alle betroffenen Organe nennen, sofern bekannt> bei längerer oder wiederholterExposition <Expositionsweg angeben, wenn schlüssig belegt ist, dass diese Gefahr bei keinem anderenExpositionsweg besteht>. |
P201
– Obtain specific instructions before use.
German original: Vor Gebrauch besondere Anweisungen einholen.
P260
– Do not breathe in dust, smoke, gas, mist, vapour or aerosols.
German original: Staub / Rauch / Gas / Nebel / Dampf / Aerosol nicht einatmen.
P280
– Wear protective gloves / protective clothing / eye protection / face protection.
German original: Schutzhandschuhe / Schutzkleidung / Augenschutz / Gesichtsschutz tragen.
P308+P313
– IN CASE OF EXPOSURE or if affected: Seek medical advice / seek medical assistance.
German original: BEI Exposition oder falls betroffen: Ärztlichen Rat einholen / ärztliche Hilfe hinzuziehen.
P305+P351+P338
– IF IN EYES: Rinse gently with water for a few minutes. Remove any contact lenses if possible. Continue rinsing.
German original: BEI KONTAKT MIT DEN AUGEN: Einige Minuten lang behutsam mit Wasser spülen. Vorhandene Kontaktlinsennach Möglichkeit entfernen. Weiter spülen. |
GHS05, GHS08 |
H/P statements: machine translation, with the German original below (authoritative). Name, formula, CAS no. and pictograms are not translated.
-
Safety goggles must be worn.German originalEine Gestellschutzbrille ist zu tragen.
-
Disposable nitrile gloves are used as splash protection.German originalAls Spritzschutz dienen Nitril-Einmalhandschuhe.
-
A long, full-length laboratory coat (protective gown) must be worn.German originalEin langer, geschlossener Labormantel (Schutzkittel) ist zu tragen.
-
through skin contactGerman originaldurch Hautkontakt
-
through eye contactGerman originaldurch Augenkontakt
Volumes of less than 10 ml are handled. To remove product residue, use the specified personal protective equipment and water with a standard washing-up liquid.
Es werden Mengen < 10 ml gehandhabt. Zur Beseitigung von Produkttopfen ist die angegebenen Schutzausrüstung und Wasser mit g#ngigem Spülmittel zu verwenden.
There are no known hazardous properties of the substances or other risks that would, in principle, preclude the experiment from being carried out by pupils or teachers. The list of substances in DGUV Information 213-098 at degintu.dguv.de has been taken into account.
Comparison images 1–5 are still being updated and replaced (option 2 is no longer applicable),
The products examined are all freely available in shops. Only the Dragendorff’s reagent needs to be prepared separately by the teacher. The small quantities of Dragendorff’s reagent can be dispensed safely under supervision using a plastic pipette. Due to the small quantities involved and the manner in which it is handled, the risk posed by the reagent is reduced to an acceptable level.
Test procedure: Alkaloids in commercial products (2026) Krause, A. and Klemeyer, H. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22814316
Dragendorff’s reagent with tartaric acid: https://orgprepdaily.wordepress.com/2006/09/27/tlc-staining-solutions/
Dragendorff’s reagent MSDS by Carl Roth: https://www.carlroth.com/medias/SDB-CP33-DE-DE.pdf
Dragendorff’s reagent according to Munier and Macheboeuf: Dragendorff G (1872) Contributions to the forensic chemistry of individual organic poisons. Schmitzdorff, St Petersburg
For information on safe school experiments with iodine, see: DOI: 10.1002/ckon.70002
Video on Dragendorff’s reagent: Alkaloids and Dragendorff’s reagent – YouTube