A common cancer-causing agent ingredient that is found in e-cigarettes and cigarettes is alkaloids. Alkaloids are organic, carbon-based molecules that are adorned with typically nitrogen and hydrogen(s). Alkaloids, such as nicotine, can exist in equilibrium between an acid and a conjugate base. A hydrogen ion on the nitrogen in the nicotine alternates between being donated and accepted. The defining characteristic of an acid is the ability to donate protons. Inversely, a conjugate base is a result of an acid losing a hydrogen ion, so the molecule is likely to accept a proton. (I'm using proton and hydrogen ion as interchangeable terms)

Figure 1

(acid) Alkaloid-N⁺-H Alkaloid-N + H⁺(conjugate base)

As demonstrated in figure 1, the acid consists of an alkaloid, a positive nitrogen atom, and hydrogen(s). The product of the equilibrium is the conjugate base the alkaloid, a neutral nitrogen, and a detached proton.

Lungs absorb conjugate bases from smoking better than acids. To make nicotine more addictive, tobacco companies utilized Le Chatelier's principle to shift the equilibrium to make more conjugate bases. Adding a base, like ammonia, will take more protons from the alkaloid in the acid state. Ammonia is a weak base, so the reaction will not go to completion. There will always be a concentration of ammonia left over. Ammonia phosphate is added as a solid, and when heated, either through lighting a cigarette or an atomizer in an e-cig, it dissociates and becomes ammonia gas and other molecules.

Figure 2

(acid) Alkaloid-N⁺-H + NH₃(g) + Heat Alkaloid-N + NH₄⁺ (conjugate base)

As shown in fig. 2, upon the addition of a base the equilibrium shifts to use the introduced concentration. The proton is donated to the ammonia from the alkaloid compound. Ammonia becomes ammonium and the alkaloid refers to a conjugate base.

The question arises, why not use a strong base? It will make tobacco products more addictive, more people will buy them, and companies can make more money. Pure, strong bases are poisonous when. Due to their corrosive nature, inhaling strong bases can cause tissue damage. Also having a higher concentration of the conjugate base causes an unpleasant smoking experience, decreasing the likeliness that people will continue to buy it.

What are your thoughts? Respond with 150 words or more