PHOrgChem (Lecture) | Module 7 (Part 4: LIST OF DRUGS ALCOHOLS, PHENOLS, THIOLS, ETHERS, and THIOETHERS):

Salbutamol

Use of Drug: Bronchodilator for asthma

Salbutamol

Effect of Functional Group: The alcohol group increases water solubility and facilitates hydrogen bonding with β2-receptors, enhancing selectivity and effectiveness.

Alcohol

FUNCTIONAL GROUP in Salbutamol

Sertraline

Use of Drug: Antidepressant (SSRI)

Sertraline

Effect of Functional Group: The alcohol enhances receptor binding and improves bioavailability by increasing solubility.

Alcohol

FUNCTIONAL GROUP in Sertraline

Chloramphenicol

Use of Drug: Broad-spectrum antibiotic

Chloramphenicol

Effect of Functional Group: Alcohol groups support hydrogen bonding with ribosomal subunits, aiding antibacterial activity and solubility.

Alcohol

FUNCTIONAL GROUP in Chloramphenicol

Codeine

Use of Drug: Pain reliever, cough suppressant

Codeine

Effect of Functional Group: Alcohol contributes to binding affinity at opioid receptors and increases metabolic conversion efficiency.

Alcohol, and Ether

FUNCTIONAL GROUP in Codeine

Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)

Use of Drug: Analgesic and antipyretic

Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)

Effect of Functional Group: The phenol group is crucial for COX enzyme inhibition but is prone to oxidation, reducing chemical stability.

Phenol

FUNCTIONAL GROUP in Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)

Morphine

Use of Drug: Strong analgesic

Morphine

Effect of Functional Group: Phenolic group enables strong binding to opioid receptors, though it is sensitive to oxidative degradation.

Phenol

FUNCTIONAL GROUP in Morphine

Propofol

Use of Drug: General anesthetic

Propofol

Effect of Functional Group: Phenol increases lipophilicity for rapid brain access but is vulnerable to oxidation and light sensitivity.

Captopril

Use of Drug: ACE inhibitor for hypertension

Captopril

Effect of Functional Group: Thiol group strongly binds to zinc in the ACE enzyme, boosting activity, but is easily oxidized and unstable.

Thiol

FUNCTIONAL GROUP in Captopril

Penicillamine

Use of Drug: Chelating agent for Wilson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis

Penicillamine

Effect of Functional Group: Thiol chelates heavy metals effectively but is sensitive to air and light, affecting storage.

Thiol

FUNCTIONAL GROUP in Penicillamine

Mesna

Use of Drug: Protects bladder from chemotherapy toxicity

Mesna

Effect of Functional Group: Thiol group binds toxic acrolein, inactivating it, though oxidation limits shelf life.

Thiol

FUNCTIONAL GROUP in Mesna

Dextromethorphan

Use of Drug: Cough suppressant

Dextromethorphan

Effect of Functional Group: Ether enhances CNS penetration by increasing lipophilicity; chemically stable under physiological conditions.

Ether

FUNCTION AL GROUP in Dextromethorphan

Halothane

Use of Drug: Inhalational anesthetic

Halothane

Effect of Functional Group: Ether increases volatility and inhalation efficacy, but can undergo oxidative degradation under stress

Ether

FUNCTIONAL GROUP in Halothane

Codeine

Use of Drug: (Also listed under Alcohol)

Codeine

Effect of Functional Group: The ether linkage increases metabolic stability and reduces rapid metabolism to morphine.

Methionine

Use of Drug: Amino acid supplement, liver support

Methionine

Effect of Functional Group: Thioether plays a role in methylation and metabolism, but can be oxidized to sulfoxide or sulfone, affecting activity.

Thioether

FUNCTIONAL GROUP in Methionine

Ranitidine

Use of Drug: H2-receptor antagonist for acid reflux

Ranitidine

Effect of Functional Group: Thioether helps receptor binding but is unstable—degrades into nitrosamines under heat/humidity, leading to safety concerns.

Thioether

FUNCTIONAL GROUP in Ranitidine