Organic Chemistry part 2 Flashcards
Week 6 - Thursday (3rd October 2024)
1
Q
What are small molecules (SMs)?
A
Classic active substances that constitute 90% of drugs on the market.
2
Q
What are large molecules (biologics)?
A
Made by living cells or organisms and consist of large, highly complex molecular entities.
3
Q
Nucleophiles (definition)
A
- Nucleophiles are electron donors
- They are attracted to a positive charge or an area of reduced electron density
- Common features: lone pair, negative charge, pi-electrons, sigma-electrons
4
Q
Electrophiles (definition)
A
- Electron acceptors, attracted to a negative charge or an area of increased electron density
- Common features: positive charge, single bond to an electronegative atom, double bond to an electronegative atom
5
Q
Protonation
A
- Curly arrow goes from lone pair to H+
- Net loss of 1 electron because the electrons are shared
6
Q
Deprotonation
A
Arrow goes from OH to H, another arrow from the O-H bond to produce a negative ion
7
Q
Prodrugs
A
Compounds which are inactive in themselves, but which are converted in the body to the active drug
8
Q
Why are esters important in drug synthesis?
A
- Can act as prodrugs
- Improving drug distribution (are less polar)
- Increasing oral availability (ester can be hydrolysed by esterases in the bloodstream)
- Prolonging drug duration