Abstract
1. 5'-Hydroxycotinine-N-oxide, 5-(3-pyridyl-N-oxide)-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-pyrrolidone-2, was identified as a new in vivo metabolite of nicotine. 2. The new metabolite was isolated from the urine of rats treated with S -nicotine and characterized using chemical and spectrometric methods. 3. 5-Hydroxycotinine-N-oxide was synthesized and characterized by MS and by infrared as well as 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. 4. Identity of the new metabolite with synthetic 5-hydroxycotinine-N-oxide was demonstrated by comparing the MS and 1H-NMR spectroscopy data as well as by cochromatography of a spiked urine sample.