Biological Functions

Procaine hydrochloride (Novocain) is readily hydrolyzed by plasma cholinesterase, although hepatic metabolism also occurs. It is not effective topically but is employed for infiltration, nerve block, and spinal anesthesia. It has a relatively slow onset and short (1 hour) duration of action. All concentrations can be combined with epinephrine. It is available in dental cartridges with phenylephrine as the vasoconstrictor.

Purification Methods

Procain crystallises as the dihydrate from aqueous EtOH and as the anhydrous material from pet ether or diethyl ether. The latter is hygroscopic. [Beilstein 14 IV 1138.]

Definition

ChEBI: A benzoate ester, formally the result of esterification of 4-aminobenzoic acid with 2-diethylaminoethanol but formed experimentally by reaction of ethyl 4-aminobenzoate with 2-diethylaminoethanol.

General Description

Procaine was synthesized in 1904 to address the chemical instabilityof cocaine and the local irritation it produced. The pKa of procaine is 8.9; it has low lipid solubility and the estergroup is unstable in basic solutions. Procaine is available inconcentrations ranging from 0.25% to 10% with pHs adjustedto 5.5 to 6.0 for chemical stability. Procaine is also includedin some formulations of penicillin G to decrease the pain ofintramuscular injection.