Visualizing ConceptsPhenylephrine, an organic substance

Chapter , Problem 9E

(choose chapter or problem)

Phenylephrine, an organic substance with molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{9} \mathrm{H}_{13} \mathrm{NO}_{2}\), is used as a nasal decongenstant in over-the-counter medications. The molecular structure of phenylephrine is shown below using the usual shortcut organic nomenclature. (a) Would you expect a solution of phenylephrine to be acidic, neutral, or basic? (b) One of the active ingredients in Alka-Seltzer PLUS® cold medication is “phenylephrine hydrochloride.” How does this ingredient differ from the structure shown below? (c) Would you expect a solution of phenylephrine hydrochloride to be acidic, neutral, or basic? [Sections 16.8 and 16.9]

Equation transcription:

Text transcription:

{C}_{9}{H}_{13}{NO}_{2}