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Nicotine

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C10H14N2 · 162.23 g/mol

IUPAC name: 3-[(2S)-1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl]pyridine

Also called tobacco alkaloid, Nicorette

Open in Athanor
The structure of Nicotine
Drawn from its SMILES with RDKit140
Acute toxicityEnvironmental hazardDangerFatal if swallowed · Fatal in contact with skin · Fatal if inhaled · Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Names and identifiers

IUPAC name
3-[(2S)-1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl]pyridine
Synonyms
tobacco alkaloid, Nicorette, L-Nicotine
+ 37 more

(-)-Nicotine, (S)-Nicotine, (S)-3-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridine, (S)-(-)-Nicotine, Habitrol, Nicotrol, 3-[(2S)-1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl]pyridine, Nicoderm, Nicoderm Cq, Fumetobac, Nicocide, Prostep, Tendust, Nico-dust, Nicotine alkaloid, Emo-nik, Nico-Fume, Mach-Nic, Nic-Sal, 1-Methyl-2-(3-pyridyl)pyrrolidine, Flux MAAG, Nicotina, Nikotyna, Ortho N-4 dust, Ortho N-5 dust, XL All Insecticide, Niagara P.A. dust, Destruxol orchid spray, L(-)-nicotine, Black Leaf 40, 3-(N-Methylpyrollidino)pyridine, 3-(N-Methylpyrrolidino)pyridine, Nicabate, Niquitin, Tabazur, L-3-(1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidyl)pyridine, Ortho N-4 and N-5 dusts

Molecular formula
C10H14N2
Empirical formula
C5H7N
Molecular weight
162.23 g/mol
Exact mass
162.11570
CAS number
54-11-5
PubChem CID
89594
Canonical SMILES
CN1CCCC1C2=CN=CC=C2
Isomeric SMILES
CN1CCC[C@H]1C2=CN=CC=C2
InChI
InChI=1S/C10H14N2/c1-12-7-3-5-10(12)9-4-2-6-11-8-9/h2,4,6,8,10H,3,5,7H2,1H3/t10-/m0/s1
InChIKey
SNICXCGAKADSCV-JTQLQIEISA-N
Molfile

Names, InChI and the identifiers from PubChem, retrieved 2026-10-14.

Physical properties

TemperaturePressureDensity
Appearance
Pale-yellow to dark brown liquid[5]
7 values

From Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–Nicotine appears as a colorless to light yellow or brown liquid. Combustible. Toxic by inhalation and by skin absorption. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion.[1] CAMEO Chemicals
–OILY COLOURLESS HYGROSCOPIC LIQUID WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR. TURNS BROWN ON EXPOSURE TO AIR.[2] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–Pale-yellow to dark-brown liquid with a fish-like odor when warm.[3] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
–Pale-yellow to dark-brown liquid with a fish-like odor when warm. [insecticide][4] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
–Colorless to pale yellow, oily liquid that turns brown on exposure to air or light. Also available as a powder.[4] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
–Thick, water-white, levarotatory oil turning brown on exposure to air[5] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Lewis, R.J. Sr.; Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 15th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, NY 2007., p. 888
–shownPale-yellow to dark brown liquid[5] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards & Other Databases CD-ROM. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Prevention & Control. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-151 (2005)
Odor
Fish-like odor when warm[5]
Melting point
-79 °C (-110 °F, EPA 1998)[1]
5 values

5 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
−79 °Cshown-110 °F (EPA, 1998)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1998. Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) Chemical Profiles and Emergency First Aid Guides. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
−79 °C-79 °C[2] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
−79 °C-110 °F[3] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
−79 °C-79 °C[6] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
−79 °C-110 °F[4] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Boiling point
249 °C[2]
5 values

2 of 3 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
246.7 °C476.1 °F at 745 mmHg (EPA, 1998)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1998. Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) Chemical Profiles and Emergency First Aid Guides. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
249 °Cshown249 °C[2] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
246.7 °C476.1 °F at 745 mmHg[3] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
247.3 °C247.3 °C @760 [mm Hg][6] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
250 °C482 °F (Decomposes)[4] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Density
1.0092 @ 20°C[6]
5 values

5 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
–1.0097 at 68 °F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1998. Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) Chemical Profiles and Emergency First Aid Guides. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
–Relative density (water = 1): 1.01[2] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–1.01[3] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
–shown1.0092 @ 20°C[6] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
–1.01[4] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Solubility in water
Solubility in water: miscible[2]
4 values

From ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–Miscible (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
–In water, 1X10+6 mg/L at 25 °C (miscible)[5] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Seidell A; Solubilities of Organic Compounds. NY,NY: d. Van Norstrand Co., Inc. (1941)
–shownSolubility in water: miscible[2] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–Miscible[4] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
log P
log Kow = 1.17[5]
2 values

Sources disagree; from Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), the most authoritative.

ValueAs writtenSource
–shownlog Kow = 1.17[5] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Hansch, C., Leo, A., D. Hoekman. Exploring QSAR - Hydrophobic, Electronic, and Steric Constants. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society., 1995., p. 76
–0.28 (pH-dependent)[2] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
pKa
pKb1 = 6.16 at 15 °C[5]
2 values

Only one source reports it.

ValueAs writtenSource
–shownpKb1 = 6.16 at 15 °C[5] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Tomlin, C.D.S. (ed.). The Pesticide Manual - World Compendium. 10th ed. Surrey, UK: The British Crop Protection Council, 1994., p. 735
–pKb2 = 10.96[5] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Tomlin, C.D.S. (ed.). The Pesticide Manual - World Compendium. 10th ed. Surrey, UK: The British Crop Protection Council, 1994., p. 735
Vapor pressure
Vapor pressure: 1 MM HG @ 61.8 °C[5]
4 values

2 of 3 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
1 mmHg1 mmHg at 143.24 °F (EPA, 1998)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1998. Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) Chemical Profiles and Emergency First Aid Guides. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
1 mmHgshownVapor pressure: 1 MM HG @ 61.8 °C[5] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982., p. 2741
0.038 mmHg0.038 mm Hg at 25 °C[5] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Boublik, T., Fried, V., and Hala, E., The Vapour Pressures of Pure Substances. Second Revised Edition. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1984.
0.045 mmHgVapor pressure, kPa at 20 °C: 0.006[2] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

2 more values were reported but failed the checks (unreadable or out of range), so they are not shown.

Flash point
95 °C (203 °F, NIOSH 2024)[1]
5 values

3 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
95 °Cshown203 °F (NIOSH, 2024)[1] CAMEO Chemicals
101 °C214 °F (101 °C)[5] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 13 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 2002., p. 325-91
111 °C111 °C[2] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
95 °C203 °F[3] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
95 °C203 °F[4] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Autoignition temperature
244 °C (471 °F)[5]
4 values

2 of 3 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
244 °C471 °F (USCG, 1999)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
244 °Cshown471 °F[5] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997., p. 325-74
244 °C244 °C[5] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997., p. 325-74
240 °C240 °C[2] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Each value as its source reports it, with the source's number after it (listed under References). Where several sources report a property, the row shows the value most of them agree on, the rule the app uses; open the values to see every one.

Calculated

Heavy atoms
12
Rings
2
Aromatic rings
1
Fraction sp³ carbons (Fsp3)
0.5
H-bond donors
0
H-bond acceptors
2
Rotatable bonds
1
TPSA (Ų)
16.1
Formal charge
0
XLogP3
1.2 PubChem
Complexity
147 PubChem
Stereocenters
1 definedCIP: C6: S
Double-bond geometry
None specified
Point group
C1 of one 3D conformer with its hydrogens, by Athanor’s engine (as in the app)

Elemental analysis

  • C74.03%
  • H8.70%
  • N17.27%

Isotope pattern

100%162.11612%163.119164.122

Each peak is a nominal mass with its abundance-weighted exact mass, as a percentage of the tallest, from IUPAC natural isotope abundances.

Computed from the structure with RDKit 2026.09 when this page was built, beside PubChem's own computed values from its record; where the two differ, both are shown.

Predicted

log P
1.85 Crippen (Wildman and Crippen 1999)
log S (water solubility)
-2.31 ESOL (Delaney 2004), log mol/L
Synthetic accessibility
2.5 SA score, 1 easy to 10 hard (Ertl and Schuffenhauer 2009)

Drug-likeness: Lipinski’s rule of five

  • Molecular weight ≤ 500: 162.24
  • log P ≤ 5 (Crippen): 1.85
  • H-bond donors ≤ 5: 0
  • H-bond acceptors ≤ 10: 2

Passes all four rules.

¹³C NMR shifts, predicted

Predictions, not measurements; each names its method. A measured log P, where a source reports one, is under Physical properties.

Safety

Danger

Harmonized EU classification (CLP Annex VI). Source [7].

  • Acute toxicity
  • Environmental hazard
140
NFPA 704[5]
  • H300Fatal if swallowed
  • H310Fatal in contact with skin
  • H330Fatal if inhaled
  • H411Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary statements: P260, P262, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P301+P316, P302+P352, P304+P340, P316, P320, P321, P330, P361+P364, P391, P403+P233, P405, P501

View all classifications (2)
  • [7] Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · DangerH300, H310, H330, H411
  • [8] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · 444 reports · DangerH300, H301, H310, H315, H318, H330, H400, H411

Exposure limits

  • PEL-TWA (8-Hour Time Weighted Average): 0.5 mg/m³[3]
  • PEL: TWA 0.5 mg/m3 [skin][4]
  • TLV: 0.5 mg/m[2]
  • TLV-TWA (Time Weighted Average): 0.05 mg/m³ [1992][3]
  • IDLH: 5 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2024)[1]
  • IDLH: 5 mg/cu m[5]

First aid

  • Warning: Seizures may be rapid in onset. Caution is advised. Signs and Symptoms of Acute Nicotine Exposure: Acute exposure to nicotine may result in headache, dizziness, confusion, agitation, restlessness, lethargy, seizures, and coma. Victims may experience hypertension (high blood pressure), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), and tachypnea (rapid respirations), followed by hypotension (low blood pressure), bradycardia (slow heart rate), and respiratory depression. Cardiac arrhythmias may also occur.[1]
  • General First Aid: · Call 911 or emergency medical service. · Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination. · Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. · Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. · If victim is not breathing: -- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingested or inhaled the substance. -- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped…[9]
  • (General first aid procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately. Skin: Water flush immediately - If this chemical contacts the skin, immediately flush the contaminated skin with water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water.[4]
  • Fresh air, rest. Refer immediately for medical attention.[2]

Storage

  • Dry. Separated from strong oxidants and food and feedstuffs. Store in an area without drain or sewer access. Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing.[2]

Incompatibilities

  • ... Can react with oxidizing materials.[5]
  • Strong oxidizers, strong acids.[5]
  • Strong oxidizers, strong acids[4]

Safety data sheets on the supplier’s page: ChemShuttle, Sigma-Aldrich, BLD Pharm.

Always read the supplier’s safety data sheet before working with it.

Spectra

Experimental spectra held by these sources; each link opens the source's own record.

Literature

Reading PubChem, OpenAlex and GSRS…

Bioactivity

Reading ChEMBL…

References

  1. [1]CAMEO Chemicals · Public domain (NOAA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  2. [2]ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  3. [3]Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) · Public domain (US DOL) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  4. [4]The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) · Public domain (US CDC) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  5. [5]Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · Public domain (US NLM) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  6. [6]PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy · Public domain (US DOE) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  7. [7]Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · EU reuse policy, CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  8. [8]European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · ECHA legal notice: reuse with acknowledgement · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  9. [9]Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) · Public domain (US DOT) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  10. [10]Human Metabolome Database (HMDB) · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  11. [11]SpectraBase · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  12. [12]MassBank of North America (MoNA) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  13. [13]NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  14. [14]MassBank Europe · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  15. ·Calculated values: computed by Athanor with RDKit 2026.09 from the structure.
  16. ·Literature on PubChem

Data last updated 2026-10-14.