Editing Dopamine (section)

==Structure==
A dopamine molecule consists of a [[catechol]] structure (a [[benzene]] ring with two [[hydroxyl]] side groups) with one [[amine]] group        attached via an [[ethyl group|ethyl]] chain.<ref name="PubChem">{{cite web |title=Dopamine |url=https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/dopamine |access-date=21 September 2015 |publisher=PubChem |language=en-US}}</ref> As such, dopamine is the simplest possible [[catecholamine]], a family that also includes the [[neurotransmitter]]s [[norepinephrine]] and [[epinephrine]].<ref name=Catecholamine>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/science/catecholamine |title=Catecholamine |encyclopedia=Britannica |access-date=21 September 2015}}</ref> The presence of a benzene ring with this amine attachment makes it a [[substituted phenethylamine]], a family that includes numerous [[psychoactive drug]]s.<ref name="Phenethylamine">{{cite web |title=Phenylethylamine |url=http://www.chemicalland21.com/lifescience/phar/PHENYLETHYLAMINE.htm |access-date=21 September 2015 |publisher=ChemicalLand21.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Like most [[amine]]s, dopamine is an [[organic base]].<ref name=Carter>{{cite journal |vauthors=Carter JE, Johnson JH, Baaske DM |year=1982 |title=Dopamine Hydrochloride |journal=Analytical Profiles of Drug Substances |volume=11 |pages=257–72|doi=10.1016/S0099-5428(08)60266-X |isbn=978-0122608117 }}</ref> As a [[base (chemistry)|base]], it is generally [[protonation|protonated]] in [[acid]]ic environments (in an [[acid-base reaction]]).<ref name=Carter/> The protonated form is highly water-soluble and relatively stable, but can become [[oxidation|oxidized]] if exposed to oxygen or other [[oxidising agent|oxidants]].<ref name=Carter/> In basic environments, dopamine is not protonated.<ref name=Carter/> In this [[free base]] form, it is less water-soluble and also more highly reactive.<ref name=Carter/> Because of the increased stability and water-solubility of the protonated form, dopamine is supplied for chemical or pharmaceutical use as dopamine [[hydrochloride]]—that is, the [[hydrochloride]] [[salt (chemistry)|salt]] that is created when dopamine is combined with [[hydrochloric acid]].<ref name=Carter/> In dry form, dopamine hydrochloride is a fine powder which is white to yellow in color.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Specification Sheet |url=https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/DataSheetPage.do?brandKey=SIGMA&symbol=H8502 |access-date=2019-09-13 |website=www.sigmaaldrich.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
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| image1=Dopamine2.svg
| caption1=Dopamine structure
| alt1=Chemical diagram of the structure of a dopamine molecule.
| width1=250
| image2=Fenyloetyloamina.svg
| caption2=[[Phenethylamine]] structure
| alt2=Chemical diagram of a phenethylamine structure.
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| image3=Brenzcatechin.svg
| caption3=Catechol structure
| alt3=Chemical diagram of a catechol structure.
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