brucine

American  

[broo-seen, -sin] / ˈbru sin, -sɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, bitter, slightly water-soluble, very poisonous alkaloid, C 23 H 26 N 2 O 4 , obtained from the nux vomica tree Strychnos nux-vomica, and from other species of the same genus, resembling but not as powerful as strychnine in its pharmacological action: used chiefly in the denaturation of alcohol.

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brucine British  

/ -sin, ˈbruːsiːn /

noun

1. bitter poisonous alkaloid resembling strychnine and obtained from the tree Strychnos nuxvomica : used mainly in the denaturation of alcohol. Formula: C 23 H 26 N 2 O 4

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Etymology

Origin of brucine

1815–25; named after J. Bruce (1730–94), Scottish explorer; -ine ²

Example Sentences

It is also obtained as a decomposition product of brucine or strychnine, when these alkaloids are distilled with zinc dust.

From Project Gutenberg

Strychnine is found in them in the proportion of ½–1½ and brucine ½%–1.4%.

From Project Gutenberg

It gives a red colour with brucine, turns the green sulphate of iron black, and with hydrochloric acid dissolves gold.

From Project Gutenberg

"Ah," he exclaimed, "it is no longer brucine that is used; let me see what it is!"

From Project Gutenberg