Creatine Synthesis: An Undergraduate Organic Chemistry Laboratory Experiment

Students in introductory chemistry classes typically appreciate seeing the connection between course content and the "real world". For this reason, we have developed a synthesis of creatine monohydrate—a popular supplement used in sports requiring short bursts of energy—for introductory organic chemistry laboratory courses. Creatine monohydrate is easily synthesized from N-methylglycine (sarcosine) and cyanamide in the presence of salt and base. The crude product is purified by recrystallization and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography, melting point, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This synthesis illustrates the electrophilic nature of nitriles, as well as the nucleophilic nature of amines.