We have seen in the previous post that crossed aldol reactions allow us to prepare β-hydroxy carbonyl compounds by reacting an enolate (formed from one carbonyl compound) with another aldehyde or ketone, followed by protonation.   A nice variation/type … Read more
In Knoevenagel condensation, we take a molecule where a methylene (CH2) is connected to (preferably) two electron-withdrawing groups, so we can deprotonate it and react with an aldehyde or a ketone. This allows the formation of a carbon-carbon double bond … Read more
Ezetimibe is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, which is a common, often asymptomatic condition characterized by high levels of lipids (cholesterol/triglycerides) in the blood, which can lead to plaque buildup in arteries. Structurally, it is … Read more
We have seen a number of important transformations of nitriles, including their conversion to aldehydes and ketones. In today’s post, let’s discuss the reverse transformation, that is, how to convert an aldehyde into a nitrile.   Unlike some functional … Read more
We have seen some important transformations of carboxylic acid derivatives, including the hydrolysis of nitriles to carboxylic acids under acidic or basic conditions. So, one question you may encounter on homework assignments is the reverse conversion, that is, going from … Read more
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid widely used for pain management and anesthesia. Structurally, it is a phenylpiperidine derivative, featuring a substituted aniline ring, a piperidine heterocycle, and an amide linkage connecting the key fragments. Its biological activity arises from … Read more
Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) widely used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, and related conditions. Structurally, it is a substituted tetralin derivative, featuring a fused bicyclic aromatic system, a dichlorinated phenyl ring, and a secondary … Read more
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic widely used in anesthesia and, more recently, in the treatment of depression. It belongs to a class of compounds characterized by an arylcyclohexanone framework, consisting of a substituted phenyl ring attached to a cyclohexanone ring … Read more
Diazepam (Valium) is a widely used benzodiazepine medication prescribed for anxiety disorders, muscle spasms, seizures, and insomnia. Its structure features a fused benzodiazepine ring system, making it an excellent example of how heterocycles are constructed through sequential functional-group transformations. In … Read more
The aldehyde functional group is one of the most common and reactive carbonyl-containing groups in organic chemistry. It plays a central role in oxidation-reduction reactions, nucleophilic additions, and many biological pathways. It is a carbonyl-containing group, so for starters, recall … Read more
