Analytical Profile of Apomorphine Hydrochloride

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the analytical profile of apomorphine hydrochloride. Its generic names are apomorphine hydrochloride and dihydroxy aporphinium chloride. Apomorphine is produced upon dehydration of morphine with a strong acid under pressure. Its molecular weight is 267.32. It is white or greyish white crystals or microcrystalline powder, but rapidly assuming a greenish tint on exposure to air and light and is odorless. It is soluble in alcohol, acetone, chloroform, slightly soluble in water, benzene and ether; solutions darken rapidly. Apomorphine was first prepared in 1869 by the acid treatment of morphine. Later, other acid reagents were recommended for the preparation of apomorphine, such as heating morphine with zinc chloride or treating morphine with concentrated hydrochloric acid.