Atropine

Introduction

Atropine is a white solid with melting point 118^oC.  It is a monocyclic alkaloid which has the molecular formula  C₁₇H₂₃O₃N.  Its structure is shown below:

It is a highly toxic material which causes fatalities when ingested in even moderate quantities.  It is used in medicine as a muscle relaxant and finds application as an anti-spasmodic which may be used as a pretreatment before abdominal surgery and optometry to dilate the pupils,  where it relaxes the muscles of the eye.