Skip to Content
Merck
All Photos(5)

Key Documents

T1633

Sigma-Aldrich

Theophylline

≥99% (HPLC), powder, phosphodiesterase inhibitor

Synonym(s):

1,3-Dimethylxanthine, 2,6-Dihydroxy-1,3-dimethylpurine, 3,7-Dihydro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione

Sign Into View Organizational & Contract Pricing


About This Item

Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):
C7H8N4O2
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
180.16
Beilstein:
13463
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
41106305
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.77

product name

Theophylline, anhydrous, ≥99%, powder

grade

anhydrous

Quality Level

Assay

≥99%

form

powder

color

white

solubility

H2O: slightly soluble 8.3 mg/ml
NH4OH: 50 mg/ml, clear, colorless
alcohol: 12.5 mg/ml
chloroform: soluble 9.1 mg/ml
0.1 M HCl: soluble
0.1 M NaOH: soluble
ammonium hydroxide: soluble
aqueous base: soluble
diethyl ether: slightly soluble
dilute HCl: soluble
dilute nitric acid: soluble
ethanol: moderately soluble

originator

Forest Labs

SMILES string

CN1C(=O)N(C)c2[nH]cnc2C1=O

InChI

1S/C7H8N4O2/c1-10-5-4(8-3-9-5)6(12)11(2)7(10)13/h3H,1-2H3,(H,8,9)

InChI key

ZFXYFBGIUFBOJW-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Looking for similar products? Visit Product Comparison Guide

Application

Theophylline has been used to study its effects on rat gene expression in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway that regulates spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm quality. Theophylline has also been used as an internal standard for the measurement of plasma paracetamol levels in humans.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Theophylline is a tea alkaloid that functions as a nonselective PDE4 inhibitor. It can induce smooth muscle relaxation in the bronchiolae of asthma patients. At increased concentrations, theophylline can function as a reprotoxic agent and can cause infertility by incapacitating Sertoli cells. This subsequently causes the premature release of late differentiating spermatogenic cells.
Phosphodiesterase inhibitor; diuretic; cardiac stimulant; muscle relaxant; asthma medication.

Features and Benefits

This compound is a featured product for ADME Tox and Cyclic Nucleotide research. Discover more featured ADME Tox and Cyclic Nucleotide products. Learn more about bioactive small molecules for other areas of research at sigma.com/discover-bsm.
This compound is featured on the Adenosine Receptors and Phosphodiesterases pages of the Handbook of Receptor Classification and Signal Transduction. To browse other handbook pages, click here.
This compound was developed by Forest Labs. To browse the list of other pharma-developed compounds and Approved Drugs/Drug Candidates, click here.

Preparation Note

Theophylline dissolves in 1 M NH4OH at 50 mg/ml to yield a clear, colorless solution. It is soluble in 0.1 M HCl, 0.1 M NaOH and is slightly soluble(8.3 mg/ml) in water. It is also moderately soluble in ethanol. Furthermore, it is soluble in alcohol (12.5 mg/ml), and chloroform (9.1 mg/ml), alkali hydroxides, ammonia, dilute hydrochloric or nitric acid, but is sparingly soluble in ether.

The solubility of the methylxanthines is low, but can be enhanced by the formation of complexes (usually 1:1) with a wide variety of compounds such as ethylenediamine (to form aminophylline). The formation of complex double salts (caffeine and sodium benzoate) or true salts (like choline theophyllinate, and oxtriphylline) also improves aqueous solubility. These salts or complexes dissociate to yield the parent methylxanthines when dissolved in biological fluids and should not be confused with covalently modified derivatives such asdyphylline (1,3-dimethyl-7-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-xanthine).

Pictograms

Skull and crossbonesHealth hazard

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 3 Oral - Repr. 1B

Storage Class Code

6.1C - Combustible acute toxic Cat.3 / toxic compounds or compounds which causing chronic effects

WGK

WGK 1

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

Already Own This Product?

Find documentation for the products that you have recently purchased in the Document Library.

Visit the Document Library

Matthew R Wilson et al.
The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology, 69(1), 32-42 (2016-10-18)
This research examined the application of hot melt extrusion (HME) in the preparation of matrix formulations containing hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as a base polymer in combination with methyl cellulose (MC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). The limit to which formulations could
Nagi Reddy Dumpa et al.
Pharmaceutics, 12(1) (2020-01-16)
This study was performed to develop novel core-shell gastroretentive floating pulsatile drug delivery systems using a hot-melt extrusion-paired fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing and direct compression method. Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and ethyl cellulose (EC)-based filaments were fabricated using hot-melt
F J Sevilla-Tirado et al.
Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology, 25(7), 531-535 (2003-10-23)
The aim of this study was to compare the main pharmacokinetic characteristics of two new paracetamol formulations, powder sachet and tablet, with that of three commercially available paracetamol formulations: two conventional solid tablets and one effervescent tablet. Twelve healthy volunteers
Danilo Bueno et al.
Microorganisms, 9(2) (2021-02-11)
: Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (X. citri) is the causal agent of Asiatic Citrus Canker (ACC), a disease that affects citrus. ACC has no cure, and growers must rely on special agricultural practices to prevent bacterial spreading. Understanding X. citri
Peter B Dykstra et al.
PloS one, 17(9), e0275298-e0275298 (2022-09-28)
Tunable genetic controllers play a critical role in the engineering of biological systems that respond to environmental and cellular signals. RNA devices, a class of engineered RNA-based controllers, enable tunable gene expression control of target genes in response to molecular

Related Content

Cyclic nucleotides, including cyclic AMP (cAMP), cyclic GMP (cGMP) and cyclic ADP-ribose, have been extensively studied as second messengers of intracellular events initiated by activation of GPCRs. cAMP modifies cell function in all eukaryotic cells, principally through the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), but also through cAMP-gated ion channels and guanine nucleotide exchange factors directly activated by cAMP.

Discover Bioactive Small Molecules for ADME/Tox

Our team of scientists has experience in all areas of research including Life Science, Material Science, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Analytical and many others.

Contact Technical Service