Coffee and Caffeine FAQ

Caffeine = 1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine

A different view of the caffeine molecule.

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