Free base

Free base refers to a base that has not been neutralized by an acid. This term is often used in the context of organic chemistry, where it can refer to the basic form of a chemical compound that has not reacted with an acid to form a salt. Free bases are often more reactive than their corresponding salts, and they can be converted into salts by reaction with an appropriate acid.

Chemistry[edit | edit source]

In chemistry, a free base is a compound that can accept protons from an acid. This is in contrast to a salt, which is formed when a base reacts with an acid and accepts a proton. The term "free base" is often used to refer to the unprotonated form of a compound, which is typically more reactive than the protonated form.

Free bases can be formed from a variety of compounds, including amines, alkaloids, and other nitrogen-containing compounds. They are often used in chemical reactions that require a basic environment, such as nucleophilic substitution reactions and elimination reactions.

Pharmacology[edit | edit source]

In pharmacology, the term "free base" is often used to refer to the basic form of a drug that has not been converted into a salt. Many drugs are administered as salts because they are more stable and easier to handle in this form. However, the free base form of a drug can often be more potent, because it is more readily absorbed by the body.

For example, cocaine is often used in its free base form, known as "crack" cocaine. This form of the drug is more potent and faster-acting than the salt form, but it is also more dangerous because it can be more easily overdosed.