Neurine Explained

Neurine is an alkaloid found in egg yolk, brain, bile and in cadavers. It is formed during putrefaction of biological tissues by the dehydration of choline. It is a poisonous, syrupy liquid with a fishy odor.

Neurine is a quaternary ammonium salt with three methyl groups and one vinyl group attached to the nitrogen atom. Synthetically, neurine can be prepared by the reaction of acetylene with trimethylamine.[1] Neurine is unstable and decomposes readily to form trimethylamine.

References

Notes and References

  1. Gardner. C.. Kerrigan. V.. Rose. J. D.. Weedon. B. C. L.. 1949-01-01. 169. Acetylene reactions. Part IV. Formation of trimethylvinyl- and tetramethyl-ammonium hydroxide from acetylene and aqueous trimethylamine. Journal of the Chemical Society (Resumed). en. 789–792. 10.1039/JR9490000789. 0368-1769.