Abstract: A composition suitable for use in nicotine replacement therapy products includes a nicotine product that includes a synthetic nicotine that is substantially free of one or more contaminants and/or impurities normally associated with tobacco-derived nicotine. For example, the synthetic nicotine is substantially free of one or more of nicotine-1?-N-oxide, nicotyrine, nornicotyrine, 2?,3-bipyridyl, cotinine, anabasine, and/or anatabine. The composition further comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, additives and/or carriers. The nicotine replacement therapy products may include any number of such products, including transdermal nicotine delivery patches, nicotine gums, synthetic chewing tobacco, synthetic snuff, and synthetic strips (e.g., dissolvable synthetic tobacco). Additionally, a method of treating nicotine addiction includes administering a nicotine replacement composition, e.g., via a nicotine replacement therapy product, to a user.

Abstract: A method of preparing (R,S)-nicotine, comprising reacting a nicotinate ester with N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone in the presence of a base and a solvent to form a first mixture, combining the first mixture with an acid to form a second mixture comprising an aqueous layer, separating the aqueous layer from second mixture, combining the separated aqueous layer with an acid to form a third mixture, combining the third mixture with a base to form a fourth mixture comprising myosamine, reducing myosamine to nornicotine using a reducing agent, and methylating the nornicotine to yield R,S-nicotine.