Metal ions Zn +: , Cd >: and Hg +J have been used as extractants of pure nicotine from Nicotiana tahacum. First a metal-nicotine (M-N") complex is formed, from which nicotine was recovered by removal of metal as its sulphide. Both the isolated M-N* complex and nicotine, were fully characterized and confirmed by the usual analytical and spectral methods (CHN, AAS, IR., UV-Vis, Ή NMR and Electron Impact & Field Desorption Mass spectrometry). This method of isolation is simple, economical and rapid. It is based on stereoselective reactions of metal ions and can be used for isolation of compounds having ligand properties from plant materials.