Alkaloids Lecture Notes

A set of vocabulary flashcards created from the lecture notes on alkaloids, covering definitions, classifications, and extraction processes.

Alkaloids

Nitrogen-containing compounds derived from amino acids, traditionally defined as compounds from flowering plants.

Morphine

An alkaloid isolated in 1806, marking the formal start of plant secondary metabolism.

Toxicity

The primary role of alkaloids in plants, providing defense against predators and pathogens.

Secondary Metabolite

Compounds like alkaloids that are not directly involved in the normal growth, development, or reproduction of an organism.

Cyclopamine

A steroidal alkaloid known to cause severe teratogen effects in mammals.

Decarboxylation

A chemical reaction involving the removal of a carboxyl group from amino acids that can yield alkaloids.

Protoalkaloids

Alkaloids derived from amino acids that do not have a nitrogen atom in a heterocyclic ring, e.g., Ephedrine.

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

Compounds like tubocurarine chloride that have four organic groups bonded to nitrogen and are not affected by alkalis.

Mannich Reaction

A condensation reaction involving an amine, formaldehyde, and a compound having an active hydrogen atom to produce alkaloids.

Extraction Process of Alkaloids

A method involving collection, drying, grinding, acidic extraction, filtration, alkalinization, organic solvent extraction, and purification.

Hegnauer Classification

A classification scheme for alkaloids based on their structure and origin.