Melatonin (CAS NO.73-31-4) is related to the mechanism by which some amphibians and reptiles change the color of their skin and, indeed, it was in this connection the substance first was discovered. McCord and Allen discovered (J Exptl Zool, 1917) that extract of the pineal glands of cows lightened frog skin, while Aaron B. Lerner is credited for naming the hormone and for defining its chemical structure in 1958. In the mid-70s Lynch et al. demonstrated that also in humans the production of melatonin exhibits a circadian rhythm.

1. Introduction of Melatonine
Melatonine is one kind of white or off-white powder. The IUPAC name of this chemical is N-[2-(5-Methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]acetamide. Besides, Melatonine belongs to Heterocyclic Series; Heterocycles series; Indoles; Tryptamines; Nutritional Supplements; Intermediates & Fine Chemicals; Pharmaceuticals; Melatonin receptor. In addition, Melatonine Classification Code is Antioxidants; Central Nervous System Agents; Central Nervous System Depressants; Drug / Therapeutic Agent; Hormone; Mutation data; Protective Agents; Reproductive Effect; Tumor data.

What's more, Melatonine solubility in water is soluble0.1 mg/mL, in ethanol is soluble8 mg/mL. It is a naturally occurring hormone found in animals and in some other living organisms, including algae.

2. Properties of Melatonine
Physical properties about Melatonine are:
(1)Melting point: 116.5-118 °C(lit.); (2)Density: 1.175 g/cm³; (3)Flash Point: 264 °C ; (4)storage temp.: -15 °C; (5)Index of Refraction: 1.6; (6)Surface Tension: 46.6 dyne/cm; (7)Enthalpy of Vaporization: 78.41 kJ/mol; (8)Boiling Point: 512.8 °C at 760 mmHg; (9)Vapour Pressure: 1.25E-10 mmHg at 25 °C; (10)XLogP3: 0.8; (11)H-Bond Donor: 2; (12)H-Bond Acceptor: 2.

3. Structure Descriptors of Melatonine
(1)Canonical SMILES: CC(=O)NCCC1=CNC2=C1C=C(C=C2)OC
(2)InChI: InChI=1S/C13H16N2O2/c1-9(16)14-6-5-10-8-15-13-4-3-11(17-2)7-12(10)13/h3-4,7-8,15H,5-6H2,1-2H3,(H,14,16)
(3)InChIKey: DRLFMBDRBRZALE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
(4)Smiles: c12c([nH]cc1CCNC(C)=O)ccc(c2)OC

4. Toxicity of Melatonine

Melatonin (CAS NO.73-31-4) has a very low toxicity in rats. Rat maternal toxicity: the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) and lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) were 100 and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively, and the developmental toxicity NOAEL was >= 200 mg/kg/day.

5. Safety information of Melatonine
Hazard Codes: T 
Risk Statements: 60 
R60: May impair fertility.
Safety Statements: 24/25
S24/25: Avoid contact with skin and eyes. 
WGK Germany: 2 
RTECS: AC5955000
F: 8-10-23

6. Uses of Melatonine
Melatonin (CAS NO.73-31-4) is important in the regulation of the circadian rhythms of several biological functions.The primary motivation for the use of melatonin as a supplement may be as a natural aid to better sleep. Many biological effects of melatonin are produced through activation of melatonin receptors, while others are due to its role as a pervasive and powerful antioxidant with a particular role in the protection of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Melatonin have been available as a dietary supplement.

Several clinical studies indicate that supplementation with melatonin is an effective preventive treatment for migraines and cluster headaches. It has been shown to be effective in treating one form of depression, seasonal affective disorder, and is being considered for bipolar and other disorders where circadian disturbances are involved. Melatonin is involved in the regulation of body weight, and may be helpful in treating obesity. Histologically, it is believed that melatonin has some effects for sexual development in higher organisms.

7. Production of Melatonin
Melatonin present in the pineal gland of the mammalian brain, the general method of the bovine brain pineal freeze-dried and pulverized into a powder, with petroleum ether and removal of fat, uniformly mixed into a slurry with deionized water, forafter centrifugation, the supernatant was taken with an equal volume of ethyl acetate extract, and the extract was dried in vacuo to give a white crude melatonin Collectibles then obtained after recrystallization.