Cupreinae Sulphas. Cupreine Sulphate.

C38H46N₄O₈S, 6H₂O = 826.574.

Cupreine sulphate, (C₁₉H22N₂O₂)2, H₂SO₄, 6H₂O, is the salt of a base contained in cuprea bark (Remijia sp.). It may be obtained by dissolving the crude quinine sulphate from the cuprea bark in diluted sulphuric acid, adding excess of sodium hydroxide, shaking out the precipitated quinine with ether, warming the aqueous liquid and neutralising with sulphuric acid. Cupreine sulphate separates on cooling. It occurs in minute white crystals. On adding chlorine and then ammonia to a solution a dark green colour is obtained.

Soluble in water (1 in 8 13), readily soluble in dilute acids; insoluble in a saturated solution of sodium sulphate.

Action and Uses.—Cupreine sulphate is nearly allied to quinine sulphate, and has been used for similar purposes.

Dose.—½ to 3 decigrams (1 to 5 grains).

The British Pharmaceutical Codex, 1911, was published by direction of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.