Write the chemical properties of alkaloid.
Chemical Properties
① Most of the alkaloids are basic in nature, due to the availability of a lone pair of electrons on nitrogen.
② The basic character of the alkaloid compound is enhanced if the adjacent functional groups are electron-releasing.
③ The alkaloid turns neutral or acidic when the adjacent functional groups are electron-withdrawing, like an amide group, which reduces the availability of the lone pair of electrons.
④ Their salt formation with an inorganic acid often prevents their decomposition.
⑤ In their natural form, the alkaloids exist either in a free state, as an amine, or as a salt with acid, or as an alkaloid N-oxide.
⑥ The alkaloid may contain one or more nitrogen atoms and exist in the form of:
Primary amines (R-NH₂) e.g., Norephedrine
Secondary amines (R₂-NH) e.g., Ephedrine
