The Morphine Brochure

M o r p h i n eChemical PropertiesIUPAC Name: (5α,6α)-7,8-didehydro-4,5-epoxy-17-methylmorphinan-3,6-diolCommon Name: MorphineMolecular Weight: 285g/molMolecular Formula: C 17H 19NO 3Melting Point: 195 – 200 °CThe melting point of a substance is the temperatureat which it changes from a solid to a liquid. This isuseful to know for storage procedures and for stateconversion temperatures (such as when you needan intravenous injection).Appearance: Morphine in its most pure state is awhite crystalline powder, bitter to the taste. However,morphine is generally used in other forms, rangingfrom slow release capsules to a solution suitable forinjection.Synthesis: Morphine is produced via extractionfrom opium. As the main ingredient in opium is, infact, morphine, extraction and isolation of morphineis fairly easy. Generally, the opium is mixed with analcoholic substance, dissolving most of the opium. Afine residue is left over, which is refined and perfectedinto pure morphine.H u m a n i t i e s D i s c u ssionMorphine is used by doctors to help dull painin many situations, ranging from burn patients,to surgery, and to even large dental procedures.However, the bad side effects include an impairmentof both mental and physical performance,confusion, light-headedness, andeven seizures.An interesting note aboutmorphine isthat it andheroin sharealmost theexact samemolecularstructure. Infact, they’remedicinallyinterchangeable, except for their dosage.Heroin is about three times more potent thanmorphine. But, while morphine is a legal for medicalpurposes, a Schedule II drug, heroin is considered acompletely illegal substance, a Schedule I drug.Morphine is widely used in medical practices, fromknocking out patients about to undergo surgery,to helping numb pain in dentist situations. ThoughPros vs. ConsProsGreat pain number; amazing for medicinal purposesOnly way surgery can be performed, quickly sedatespatientAllows better dosage control than heroin, not illegialmorphine is only allowed to patients through adoctor’s prescription, it is highly addictive andmany patients have to go through rehabilitationafterwards.ConsIt’s not morphine that connects toglobal trade, but rather the plantfrom which morphine is extracted:the Opium poppy. The opium poppyis grown in dry, arid environments,specifically Southeast Asia. In fact,Afghanistan produces over 90% ofthe world’s opium crop. Morphineis one of the main ingredientsin Opium (note that Opium isextracted from the opium poppy),and is thus funding for the Taliban,furthering their already immense wealth.Very addicting, patients develop a resistance to morphine,requiring a higher dosage.Used for illicit purposes by druggiesSome patients can be allergic, strong reaction can includenausea, vomiting or even fainting