Solution: The "free-base" form of cocaine (C17H21NO4) and its protonated hydrochloride form (C17H22ClNO4) are shown below; the free-base form can be converted to the hydrochloride form with one equivalent of HC

The "free-base" form of cocaine (C₁₇H₂₁NO₄) and its protonated hydrochloride form (C₁₇H₂₂ClNO₄) are shown below; the free-base form can be converted to the hydrochloride form with one equivalent of HCl. For clarity, not all the carbon and hydrogen atoms are shown; each vertex represents a carbon atom with the appropriate number of hydrogen atoms so that each carbon makes four bonds to other atoms.

One of these forms of cocaine is relatively insoluble in water: which form, the free base or the hydrochloride?