Purchase Solution

Ionisation of diacetylmorphine (heroin)

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

I have learn't that the pKa of diacetylmorphine is 7.6, close to physiological pH and hence will be mostly un-ionised in the blood.

1. How can diacetylmorphine be ionised in the blood and what will the effects of this be on the molecule in circulation? (I assume that it will be more soluble?)

2. When HCl is added to diacetylmorphine, it forms diacetylmorphine hydrochloride. I am not sure about the chemical structure of this - could someone please confirm - does the amine group on heroin accept an H ion? What occurs to the Cl ion?

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

This solution of 185 words explains how diacetylmorphine is ionized in the blood and the effects of HCl on diacetylmorphine.

Solution Preview

If diacetylmorphine was to be ionised in the blood it would make the blood pH more acidic. However the majority of the time, it would be converted into one if its metabolites. Moreover its half life is in minutes so it does not last one in circulation. ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Match Elements with their Symbols

Elements are provided: choose the matching one- or two-letter symbol for each element.

Functional groups in Organic Chemistry

You will be tested on the names of functional groups in Organic Chemistry. It is very important to know the functional groups to understand Organic reactions.

Thermochemistry

The quiz helps in revising basic concepts about thermochemistry.

Organic Chemistry Naming: Alkanes

This is a quiz which is designed to assist students with learning the nomenclature used to identify organic compounds. This quiz focuses on the organic compounds called Alkanes.