Nicotelline is an

alkaloid Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Some synthetic compounds of similar ...

first identified in 1914 as a chemical constituent of tobacco plants (''Nicotiana tabacum''). The chemical structure of nicotelline wasn't elucidated until 1956, when it was determined that nicotelline is a

terpyridine Terpyridine (2,2';6',2"-terpyridine, often abbreviated to Terpy or Tpy) is a heterocyclic compound derived from pyridine. It is a white solid that is soluble in most organic solvents. The compound is mainly used as a ligand in coordination chemist ...

consisting of three linked

pyridine Pyridine is a basic heterocyclic organic compound with the chemical formula . It is structurally related to benzene, with one methine group replaced by a nitrogen atom. It is a highly flammable, weakly alkaline, water-miscible liquid with a d ...

rings. This structure was confirmed by laboratory synthesis. Nicotelline has the molecular formula . It is a crystalline solid with a melting point of 147-148 °C. It is soluble in hot water, chloroform, ethanol, and benzene. Nicotelline has long been known to be a constituent of

tobacco smoke Tobacco smoke is a sooty aerosol produced by the incomplete combustion of tobacco during the tobacco smoking, smoking of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Temperatures in burning cigarettes range from about 400 °C between puffs to abo ...

. As such, it has recently been proposed as a

biomarker In biomedical contexts, a biomarker, or biological marker, is a measurable indicator of some biological state or condition. Biomarkers are often measured and evaluated using blood, urine, or soft tissues to examine normal biological processes, ...

or environmental tracer for particulate matter derived from tobacco smoke.

References

{{reflist Alkaloids Pyridines