Aim of medicinal chemistry

The main aim of medicinal chemistry is the synthesis of a

new compound which is safe, effective and economical
than the existing molecule. These days, medicinal
chemists plan to make the new compound with a certain
structure and properties, using computerized model that
can be accurately predicted. However, in the past, based
on the structure of an existing compound a wide range of
similar compounds used to be synthesized. These were
then tested to find the required pharmacological effect.

 For example earliest pain killer was 2-hydroxy

benzoic acid (salicylic acid). But it showed severe
adverse effects.
- irritated the patients’ mouth and stomach
- Caused internal bleeding
 Salicylic acid

 Between 1850 and 1900, various derivatives of Salicylic acid were prepared in order to find an
equally effective but less toxic form of the drug.
 In 1999, the German Chemist Hofmann synthesized the acetyl derivative of salicylic acid. This
compound was found to have the beneficial properties of the original drug without causing the
same irritation to the mouth and stomach. It is still used to day as aspirin.
 The derivatives of salicylic acid are two types – type I and type II. Type I represents those that
are found by modifying the carboxyl group (of salicylic acid). Type II represents those that are
found by substitution on the hydroxyl group.

Aspirin

Mostly hydrolysis of type I take place in the intestine. Most of the type II compounds are absorbed
unchanged into the blood stream.

2. Methyl salicylate
Oil of wintergreen is the natural source of salicylate. It consists of methyl salicylate.

Methyl salicylate (boiled with KOH solution) ……………….> Pot.salicylate (add dil. Acid)…….> salicylic
acid. Salicylic acid can also be produced from the synthetic route.
Some of the key compounds synthesized to achieve the expected pharmaco;ofgical action based on
salicylic acid are mentioned below.

a. Aspirin

b. Methyl salicylate

c. Salicyl alcohol

d. Salicylaldehyde

e. Disodium salicylate
f. Phenyl salicylate

g. Sodium salicylate

h. Salicylsalicylic acid (salsalate) formed from two acid molecules

i. P-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) it has anti-TB activity.

j. Niclosamide(Yomesan) It has strong anthelmintic properties.

 k. Sodium thiosalicylate: It is used against gout and rheumatic fever

l. Choline salicylate: Pain and inflammation of mouth

Thus based on the structure of a particular compound (with some biological effect) several compounds
are synthesized to find a better drug.

Classical approach for the synthesis of a medicinal compound

 At first a suitable structure is estimated for the synthesis. Such structure is expected to produce
a pharmacological action.
 Sometimes groups are changed or modified in apparent compound showing some activities.
 Most of the groups are based on alcohols, ketones, acids, and other derivatives through
appropriate reaction.
 Alcohols and carboxylic acid derivatives are starting point for several reactions
 Benzene. Toluene and phenol are important chemicals to produce simple aromatic compounds.
 Cheap reagents such as water, hydrogen, sodium hydroxide, sulphuric acid are important
auxillary materials in chemical industries.
Appendix 1.