Capsaicin
| Names | |
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| Pronunciation | /kæpˈseɪsɪn/ or /kæpˈseɪəsɪn/ |
| Preferred IUPAC name
(6E)-N-[(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-8-methylnon-6-enamide | |
| Other names
(E)-N-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-8-methylnon-6-enamide
8-Methyl-N-vanillyl-trans-6-nonenamide trans-8-Methyl-N-vanillylnon-6-enamide (E)-Capsaicin Capsicine Capsicin CPS | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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| 2816484 | |
| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider | |
| DrugBank | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.006.337 |
| EC Number |
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| KEGG | |
PubChem CID
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| UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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| Properties | |
| C18H27NO3 | |
| Molar mass | 305.418 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Crystalline white powder |
| Odor | Highly pungent |
| Melting point | 62 to 65 °C (144 to 149 °F; 335 to 338 K) |
| Boiling point | 210 to 220 °C (410 to 428 °F; 483 to 493 K) 0.01 Torr |
| 0.0013 g/100 mL | |
| Solubility | |
| Vapor pressure | 1.32×10−8 mm Hg at 25 °C |
| UV-vis (λmax) | 280 nm |
| Structure | |
| Monoclinic | |
| Pharmacology | |
| M02AB01 (WHO) N01BX04 (WHO) | |
| License data | |
| Legal status |
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| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling: | |
| Danger | |
| H301, H302, H315, H318 | |
| P264, P270, P280, P301+P310, P301+P312, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P310, P321, P330, P332+P313, P362, P405, P501 | |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
| Safety data sheet (SDS) | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references
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| Capsaicin | |
|---|---|
| Heat | Above peak |
| Scoville scale | 16,000,000 SHU |
Capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) (/kæpˈseɪ.ə.sɪn/, commonly /kæpˈseɪsɪn/) is a toxin that is the main active component of chili peppers and gives them their "spicy" or "hot" taste. It is a potent irritant for mammals, including humans, for which it produces a sensation of burning in any tissue with which it comes into contact. Capsaicin and several related amides (capsaicinoids) are produced as secondary metabolites by chili peppers, likely as deterrents against eating by mammals and against the growth of fungi. Pure capsaicin is a hydrophobic, colorless, highly pungent (i.e., spicy) crystalline solid.