: The molecule diffuses into nerve cells and binds to voltage-gated sodium channels .
: Neutralization with a base like sodium bicarbonate causes benzocaine to precipitate, as the molecule becomes non-polar and insoluble in water. benzocaine
: The mixture is heated under reflux to favor product formation. : The molecule diffuses into nerve cells and
, though lab-grade samples often vary slightly based on purity. , though lab-grade samples often vary slightly based
: Pure benzocaine is a white crystalline solid with a melting point of approximately
Chemically known as the ethyl ester of , benzocaine is typically synthesized through Fischer esterification . In a laboratory setting, this involves reacting 4-aminobenzoic acid with absolute ethanol in the presence of a strong acid catalyst, such as concentrated sulfuric acid.
: By preventing the influx of sodium ions, it stops the nerve cell from depolarizing.