Caffeine = 1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine
A different view of the caffeine molecule can be found on the index page.
The Department of Chemistry at Jamaica of the University of Western Indies has made available an avi and an mpeg of a rotation of the caffeine molecule, among other molecules and chemical processes. The index page contains more information and the links to the clips.
CH3
|
N
/ \
N----C C==O
|| || |
|| || |
CH C N--CH3
\ / \ /
N C
| ||
CH3 O
Theobromine is also a common component of coffee, tea, chocolate, and mate (particularly in these last two).
Theobromine
CH3
|
N
/ \
N----C C==O
|| || |
|| || |
CH C N--H
\ / \ /
N C
| ||
CH3 O
Theophylline was once thought to be a major component of tea. This is not correct. Tea contains significantly more amounts of caffeine than of theophylline.
Theophylline
CH3
|
N
/ \
N----C C==O
|| || |
|| || |
CH C N--CH3
\ / \ /
N C
| ||
H O