Capsaicin

Capsaicin
Names
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)
2816484
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
DrugBank
ECHA InfoCard 100.006.337
EC Number
  • 206-969-8
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C18H27NO3/c1-14(2)8-6-4-5-7-9-18(21)19-13-15-10-11-16(20)17(12-15)22-3/h6,8,10-12,14,20H,4-5,7,9,13H2,1-3H3,(H,19,21)/b8-6+ checkY
    Key: YKPUWZUDDOIDPM-SOFGYWHQSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C18H27NO3/c1-14(2)8-6-4-5-7-9-18(21)19-13-15-10-11-16(20)17(12-15)22-3/h6,8,10-12,14,20H,4-5,7,9,13H2,1-3H3,(H,19,21)/b8-6+
    Key: YKPUWZUDDOIDPM-SOFGYWHQBQ
  • O=C(NCc1cc(OC)c(O)cc1)CCCC/C=C/C(C)C
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
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS05: CorrosiveGHS06: ToxicGHS07: Exclamation markGHS08: Health hazard
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)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamond
2
1
0
Safety data sheet (SDS)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkYX markN ?)
Infobox references
Capsaicin
HeatAbove peak
Scoville scale16,000,000 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 distinct pungent, "spicy" or "hot" taste. It is a potent irritant for mammals 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, highly pungent (i.e., spicy) crystalline solid.