Nicotelline

Nicotelline is an alkaloid first identified in 1914 as a chemical constituent of tobacco plants (Nicotiana).^[2]

Nicotelline

Names
IUPAC name 3,2′:4′,3′′-Terpyridine
Other names Nicotellin; 2,4-Dipyridin-3-ylpyridine
Identifiers
CAS Number	494-04-2
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	61431
PubChem CID	68123
UNII	7AO144V8IZ
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID40197781
InChI InChI=1S/C15H11N3/c1-3-13(10-16-6-1)12-5-8-18-15(9-12)14-4-2-7-17-11-14/h1-11H Key: OILSPHJMIPYURT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES C1=CC(=CN=C1)C2=CC(=NC=C2)C3=CN=CC=C3
Properties
Chemical formula	C15H11N3
Molar mass	233.274 g·mol−1
Melting point	147–148 °C (297–298 °F; 420–421 K)[1]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

The chemical structure of nicotelline wasn't elucidated until 1956, when it was determined that nicotelline is a terpyridine consisting of three linked pyridine rings.^[3] This structure was confirmed by laboratory synthesis.^[3][4] Nicotelline has the molecular formula C₁₅H₁₁N₃. It is a crystalline solid with a melting point of 147-148 °C.^[1] It is soluble in hot water, chloroform, ethanol, and benzene.^[1]

Nicotelline has long been known to be a constituent of tobacco smoke.^[5] As such, it has recently been proposed as a biomarker or environmental tracer for tobacco smoke.^[6]