C7H8N4

C7H8N4 is the molecular formula for several chemical compounds, most notably caffeine. Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cacao pods, and other plants. It is a bitter white crystalline substance that is soluble in water. Caffeine's chemical structure consists of a purine ring system with methyl groups attached.

Another compound with the molecular formula C7H8N4 is theobromine. Theobromine is also an alkaloid found in the cacao plant and is present in chocolate. It is structurally similar to caffeine but has a slightly different pharmacological effect, being a weaker stimulant. The third common isomer is theophylline, which is also a xanthine alkaloid and is used medically as a bronchodilator to treat respiratory diseases like asthma.

These isomers, caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, are all xanthines and share a common purine-based structure. While their molecular formula is the same, the different arrangement of atoms leads to distinct physical and biological properties. Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world and is known for its ability to increase alertness and reduce fatigue. Theobromine is responsible for some of the mood-lifting effects of chocolate. Theophylline is primarily used in pharmaceutical preparations.