Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant used primarily in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It acts by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain through inhibition of their reuptake. Structurally, Ritalin contains a phenyl ring … Read more
Introduction to Lactams Lactams are cyclic amides, and they are classified according to the size of the ring containing the amide group. The naming uses Greek letters that indicate how many carbon atoms lie between the nitrogen and the carbonyl … Read more
We have seen how aryl ketones are prepared by the Friedel-Crafts acylation when benzene or other aromatic compound derivatives are reacted with acid chlorides in the presence of Lewis acids such as AlCl3. Now, when highly activated benzene … Read more
Norbornane is a bicyclic compound (bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane) with a rigid, saturated framework. Norbornene is its corresponding alkene, containing a double bond that makes it reactive toward typical electrophilic addition reactions. Norbornanone is a ketone derivative, where the carbonyl group undergoes nucleophilic … Read more
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
Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic used in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and as an adjunct in major depressive disorder. It works by modulating neurotransmitter systems, particularly dopamine and serotonin receptors. Structurally, quetiapine contains a dibenzothiazepine core connected to … Read more
Pioglitazone is an antidiabetic drug used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It belongs to the thiazolidinedione class and works by improving insulin sensitivity, helping to regulate blood glucose levels. Structurally, pioglitazone contains a thiazolidinedione core attached to an … 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
