Heterocyclic compound
Heterocyclic compounds are organic compounds that contain a ring structure containing atoms in addition to
carbon, such as
sulfur,
oxygen or
nitrogen, as part of the ring. They may be either
simple aromatic rings or non-aromatic rings. Some examples are
pyridine ,
pyrimidine and
dioxane .
Note that compounds such as
cyclopropane, an anaesthetic with explosive properties, and
cyclohexane, a solvent, are not heterocyclic, they are merely
cycloalkanes. The suffix '-cyclic' implies a ring structure, while 'hetero' refers to an atom other than carbon, as above.
Encyclopedia
Heterocyclic compounds are organic compounds that contain a ring structure containing atoms in addition to
carbon, such as
sulfur,
oxygen or
nitrogen, as part of the ring. They may be either
simple aromatic rings or non-aromatic rings. Some examples are
pyridine ,
pyrimidine and
dioxane .
Note that compounds such as
cyclopropane, an anaesthetic with explosive properties, and
cyclohexane, a solvent, are not heterocyclic, they are merely
cycloalkanes. The suffix '-cyclic' implies a ring structure, while 'hetero' refers to an atom other than carbon, as above.
Heterocyclic chemistry is the chemistry branch dealing exclusively with synthesis, properties and applications of heterocycles especially vital to
drug design.
3-membered rings
Heterocycles with three atoms in the ring are more reactive because of ring strain. Those containing one heteroatom are generally stable. Those with two heteroatoms are more likely to occur as reactive intermediates. Common 3-membered heterocycles are:
- One N: Aziridine
- One O: Ethylene oxide, generally known as epoxides. The systematic name is oxirane. The unsaturated ring system is an oxirene .
- One S: Thiirane, generally known as an episulfide.
4-membered rings
5-membered rings
With heterocycles containing five atoms, the unsaturated compounds are frequently more stable because of aromaticity.
- One N: Pyrrole and dihydro- and tetrahydro-analogues.
- One As: Arsole and analogues.
- One O: Furan
Furan, also known as
furane and
furfuran, is a heterocyclic [i] organic compound [i] ...
- One S: Thiophene
- One N and one or more of N,S,O: the azoles
- Two S: Dithiolane
6-membered rings
...
See also
