A Simple Method for Isolation of Caffeine from Black Tea Leaves: Use of a Dichloromethane-Alkaline Water Mixture as an Extractant

Abstract

A simple procedure for the isolation of caffeine from tea leaves has been established without using hot or boiling water. A mixture of tea leaves, dichloromethane, and 0.2 M NaOH was shaken for 7 min, and the organic layer was separated. After evaporation of the organic solvent, residual crystals were purified by recrystallization to give 20-30 mg (student yield) of pure caffeine from one tea bag (2 g).