The Chemical Properties of Strychnine

Strychnine, poisonous alkaloid, C(21)H(22)N(2)O(2), found in various plants of the genus Strychnos, and obtained commercially from the seeds of the Saint-Ignatius's-bean and from nux vomica.

Strychnine is obtained in colorless or white rhombic crystals, which have a bitter taste and melt at 286° to 288° C (547° to 550° F). It is slightly soluble in water but more soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, and benzene, and it forms sulfate and nitrate salts that are moderately soluble in water.