Oxidative-O-Dealkylation

Question 1

What happens in this reaction?

Answer 1

Loose an alkyl group that is attached to an O, with an intermediate OH that is oxidised to form C=O. The actual product that we want is essentially a bi-product of the reaction, with the end product having subsidised the Alkyl group on the O with a Hydrogen forming an OH.

Question 2

What enzymes are involved?

Answer 2

CYP enzymes

Question 3

Give an example of a drug that is metabolised this way:

Answer 3

Codeine to morphine

Question 4

What type of metabolism is this?

Answer 4

Phase 1 oxidative metabolism