Chem. [a. F. cotarnine, f. narcotine by transposition of letters.] A non-volatile organic base, C12 H13 NO3 + H2 O, obtained by the action of oxidizing agents on narcotine. (Watts.)
1857. Pereira, Mat. Med. (ed. 4), II. II. 609. There is a product of the decomposition of narcotine, namely cotarnine.
1873. Flückiger & Hanbury, Pharmacogr., 54. By decomposition with sulphuric acid, narcotine yields Cotarnine, an undoubted base.
Hence Cotarnic, in cotarnic acid, C11 H12 O5, a product of the action of dilute nitric acid on cotarnine. Cotarnamic [AMIC] acid, C11 H13 NO4, a product of the action of aqueous hydrochloric or sulphuric acid on cotarnine at 140° or 150°C.
1863–72. Watts, Dict. Chem., II. 88. Like aspartic acid, cotarnamic acid combines with strong mineral acids. Ibid. Cotarnine may be regarded as the methylated imide corresponding to cotarnic acid.
