Structure of drugs Flashcards
What are functional groups in drug molecules?
Specific atomic arrangements that determine chemical reactivity, solubility, and biological interactions.
List the effects functional groups have on drug properties.
- Water/lipid solubility
- Route of administration
- Drug-receptor interactions
- Mechanism of action
- Metabolism and elimination
- Drug efficacy and side effects
What is the effect of the Alcohol functional group (-OH) on drug properties?
Increases water solubility and H-bonding.
Which drug contains the Amine functional group (-NH2) and what is its effect?
Gabapentin; enhances solubility and affects pKa.
What effect do Ethers (-O-) have on drug properties?
Increases lipophilicity.
Identify a drug that contains the Carboxyl functional group (-COOH) and its effect.
Indomethacin; acidic and improves water solubility.
What is the influence of the Ketone functional group (-C=O) on drug properties?
Influences polarity.
Define resonance in the context of functional groups.
Electrons are delocalized over a system of adjacent double bonds.
Provide an example of resonance in a drug.
Benzene ring in fluoxetine stabilizing electron density.
What are inductive effects in functional groups?
Electron donation or withdrawal by functional groups.
What is an Electron-donating group (EDG)?
Increases electron density, making molecules nucleophilic.
What is an Electron-withdrawing group (EWG)?
Decreases electron density, making molecules electrophilic.
Give an example of an EDG and an EWG.
- EDG: Amine (-NH2) in Gabapentin
- EWG: Fluorine (-F) in Fluoxetine
What types of groups are considered water-soluble?
- Alcohol (-OH)
- Amine (-NH2)
- Carboxyl (-COOH)
What types of groups are considered lipid-soluble?
- Aromatic rings
- Alkanes
- Ethers (-O-)
- Alkyl halides (-Cl, -Br, -I)
What is steric hindrance?
Bulky groups affect molecular shape and binding interactions.
What are therapeutic benefits of steric effects?
- Increased selectivity for biological targets
- Enhanced binding to receptors
- Alteration of metabolism and elimination rates
How do functional groups influence drug action?
By altering electronic effects, solubility, and steric properties.
True or False: Hydrophilic and lipophilic groups determine absorption and bioavailability.
True
Fill in the blank: EDGs and EWGs affect ______ and binding affinity.
reactivity
