Dopamine

C₈H₁₁NO₂

IUPAC: 4-(2-Aminoethyl)benzene-1,2-diol

CAS: 51-61-6

Overview

Dopamine is a catecholamine neurotransmitter that plays a central role in reward, motivation, and motor control. It is synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine and is the neurotransmitter depleted in Parkinson's disease. The 'dopamine reward system' drives pleasure and addiction.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Hydrogen H 11 1.0080
Carbon C 8 12.0110
Nitrogen N 1 14.0070
Oxygen O 2 15.9990

Elemental Composition

H
Hydrogen ×11
7.2%
C
Carbon ×8
62.7%
N
Nitrogen ×1
9.1%
O
Oxygen ×2
20.9%

Uses

  • • Neurotransmitter (reward, motivation)
  • • Parkinson's disease treatment (as L-DOPA)
  • • Emergency vasopressor medication
  • • Neuroscience research

Fun Facts

  • ✦ Dopamine is responsible for the pleasure you feel when eating chocolate, listening to music, or achieving a goal

Safety

  • ⚠ Cannot cross the blood-brain barrier (L-DOPA used instead)
  • ⚠ IV dopamine can cause cardiac arrhythmia

Structure

SMILES

C1=CC(=C(C=C1CCN)O)O

Properties

Type
organic
State
solid
Molar Mass
153.18 g/mol
Density
1.2600 g/cm³
Melting Point
128.0 °C
Solubility
600 g/L at 21°C

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
153.0790
XLogP
-1.0
TPSA
66.5 Ų
H-Bond Donors
3
H-Bond Acceptors
3
Rotatable Bonds
2
Heavy Atoms
11
Complexity
119.0

Also Known As

Dopamine

Related Compounds

1,2-Dichloroethane

C₂H₄Cl₂

1,3-Butadiene

C₄H₆

1,4-Dioxane

C₄H₈O₂

1-Butanol

C₄H₁₀O

2-Propanol

C₃H₈O

Acetaldehyde

CH₃CHO

Acetamide

C₂H₅NO

Acetic Anhydride

C₄H₆O₃

Acetone

(CH₃)₂CO

Acetonitrile

C₂H₃N

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dopamine?
Dopamine (C₈H₁₁NO₂) is a organic compound with the IUPAC name 4-(2-Aminoethyl)benzene-1,2-diol.
What is the molecular weight of Dopamine?
Dopamine has a molar mass of 153.178 g/mol.
What state is Dopamine at room temperature?
Dopamine is a solid at room temperature.
Is Dopamine organic or inorganic?
Dopamine is classified as an organic compound.
What elements make up Dopamine?
Dopamine (C₈H₁₁NO₂) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O).