ADENINE  , or 6-AMINO-

PURIN, C5H5N5, in chemistry, a basic substance which has been obtained as a decomposition product of nuclein, and also from the pancreatic glands of oxen . It has been synthesized by E . Fischer (Berichte, 1897, 30, p . 2238) by heating 2.6.8-trichlorpurin with to times its weight of ammonia for six hours at roo° C.; by this means 6-amino-2.8-dichlorpurin is obtained, which on reduction by means of hydriodic acid and phosphonium iodide is converted into adenine . In 1898 E . Fischer also obtained it from 8-oxy-2.6-dichlorpurin ,Berichte, 1898, 31, p . 104) . It crystallizes in long needles; forms salts C5H5N5.2HI and (C5H5N5)2.HsSO4.2H20, and is converted by nitrous acid into hypoxanthine or 6-oxypurin . On heating with hydrochloric acid at 18o-2oo° C. it is decomposed; the products of the reaction being glycocoll, ammonia, formic acid and carbon dioxide . Various methyl derivatives of adenine have been described by E . Fischer (Berichte, 1898, 31, p . 104) and by M .

Kruger (Zeit. fur physiol . Chemie, 1894, 18, p . 434) . For the constitution of adenine see PURIN .