γ-coniceine

Chemical Properties

Colorless liquid with characteristic odor sim ilar to coniine; boils at 171°C (339.8°F); density 0.875 at 15°C (59°F); alkaline; slightlysoluble in water, dissolves readily in organicsolvents.

Uses

γ-Coniceine occurs in the seeds of poisonhemlock (Conium maculatum L. or Umbelliferae). It is produced by reduction ofconiine.

Health Hazard

Acute oral toxicity of γ-coniceine is greaterthan that of coniine. The symptoms are similar. Ingestion may cause drowsiness, nausea,vomiting, respiratory distress, convulsions,cyanosis, and at high doses, death. An oralLD50 value in mice is reported as 12 mg/kg(NIOSH 1986).