A heterocyclic compound or ring structure is a
cyclic compound
A cyclic compound (or ring compound) is a term for a compound in the field of chemistry in which one or more series of atoms in the compound is connected to form a ring. Rings may vary in size from three to many atoms, and include examples where ...
that has atoms of at least two different
elements as members of its ring(s). Heterocyclic chemistry is the branch of
organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds and organic materials, i.e., matter in its various forms that contain carbon atoms.Clayden, ...
dealing with the synthesis, properties, and applications of these heterocycles.
[
Examples of heterocyclic compounds include all of the nucleic acids, the majority of drugs, most biomass (cellulose and related materials), and many natural and synthetic dyes. More than half of known compounds are heterocycles.] 59% of US FDA-approved drugs contain nitrogen heterocycles.
Classification
The study of heterocyclic chemistry focuses especially on unsaturated derivatives, and the preponderance of work and applications involves unstrained 5- and 6-membered rings. Included are pyridine, thiophene, pyrrole, and furan. Another large class of heterocycles refers to those fused to benzene ring
Benzene is an organic chemical compound with the molecular formula C6H6. The benzene molecule is composed of six carbon atoms joined in a planar ring with one hydrogen atom attached to each. Because it contains only carbon and hydrogen atom ...
s. For example, the fused benzene derivatives of pyridine, thiophene, pyrrole, and furan are quinoline, benzothiophene, indole, and benzofuran, respectively. The fusion of two benzene rings gives rise to a third large family of compounds. Analogs of the previously mentioned heterocycles for this third family of compounds are acridine, dibenzothiophene, carbazole, and dibenzofuran, respectively.
Heterocyclic compounds can be usefully classified based on their electronic structure. The saturated heterocycles behave like the acyclic derivatives. Thus, piperidine
Piperidine is an organic compound with the molecular formula (CH2)5NH. This heterocyclic amine consists of a six-membered ring containing five methylene bridges (–CH2–) and one amine bridge (–NH–). It is a colorless liquid with an odor de ...
and tetrahydrofuran
Tetrahydrofuran (THF), or oxolane, is an organic compound with the formula (CH2)4O. The compound is classified as heterocyclic compound, specifically a cyclic ether. It is a colorless, water- miscible organic liquid with low viscosity. It is ...
are conventional amines and ethers, with modified steric profiles. Therefore, the study of heterocyclic chemistry focuses on unsaturated rings.
Inorganic rings
Some heterocycles contain no carbon. Examples are borazine
Borazine, also known as borazole, is a non-polar inorganic compound with the chemical formula B3H6N3. In this cyclic compound, the three BH units and three NH units alternate. The compound is isoelectronic and isostructural with benzene. For thi ...
(B3N3 ring), hexachlorophosphazene
Hexachlorophosphazene is an inorganic compound with the formula . The molecule has a cyclic, unsaturated backbone consisting of alternating phosphorus and nitrogen centers, and can be viewed as a trimer of the hypothetical compound . Its classifi ...
s (P3N3 rings), and S4N4. In comparison with organic heterocycles, which have numerous commercial applications, inorganic ring systems are mainly of theoretical interest. IUPAC
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC ) is an international federation of National Adhering Organizations working for the advancement of the chemical sciences, especially by developing nomenclature and terminology. It is ...
recommends the Hantzsch-Widman nomenclature for naming heterocyclic compounds.
Notes on lists
* "Heteroatoms" are atoms in the ring other than carbon atoms.
* Some of the names refer to classes of compounds rather than individual compounds.
* Also no attempt is made to list isomers.
3-membered rings
Although subject to ring strain, 3-membered heterocyclic rings are well characterized.
Three-membered rings with one heteroatom
Three-membered rings with two heteroatoms
4-membered rings
Four-membered rings with ''one'' heteroatom
Four-membered rings with ''two'' heteroatoms
5-membered rings
Five-membered rings with ''one'' heteroatom
Five-membered rings with ''two'' heteroatoms
The 5-membered ring compounds containing ''two'' heteroatoms, at least one of which is nitrogen, are collectively called the azoles. Thiazoles
Thiazole, or 1,3-thiazole, is a heterocyclic compound that contains both sulfur and nitrogen. The term 'thiazole' also refers to a large family of derivatives. Thiazole itself is a pale yellow liquid with a pyridine-like odor and the molecular fo ...
and isothiazoles contain a sulfur and a nitrogen atom in the ring. Dithiolanes have two sulfur atoms.
Five-membered rings with at least ''three'' heteroatoms
A large group of 5-membered ring compounds with ''three'' or more heteroatoms also exists. One example is the class of dithiazoles, which contain two sulfur atoms and one nitrogen atom.
6-membered rings
Six-membered rings with ''one'' heteroatom
Six-membered rings with ''two'' heteroatoms
Six-membered rings with ''three'' heteroatoms
Six-membered rings with ''four'' heteroatoms
Carborazine is a six-membered ring with two nitrogen heteroatoms and two boron heteroatom.
Six-membered rings with five heteroatoms
Six-membered rings with six heteroatoms
The hypothetical compound with six nitrogen heteroatoms would be hexazine
Hexazine (also known as hexaazabenzene) is a hypothetical allotrope of nitrogen composed of 6 nitrogen atoms arranged in a ring-like structure analogous to that of benzene. It would be the final member of the azabenzene (azine) series, in which al ...
.
Borazine
Borazine, also known as borazole, is a non-polar inorganic compound with the chemical formula B3H6N3. In this cyclic compound, the three BH units and three NH units alternate. The compound is isoelectronic and isostructural with benzene. For thi ...
is a six-membered ring with three nitrogen heteroatoms and three boron heteroatoms.
7-membered rings
In a 7-membered ring, the heteroatom must be able to provide an empty π-orbital (e.g. boron) for "normal" aromatic stabilization to be available; otherwise, homoaromaticity
Homoaromaticity, in organic chemistry, refers to a special case of aromaticity in which conjugated system, conjugation is interrupted by a single sp3 orbital hybridisation, hybridized carbon atom. Although this sp3 center disrupts the continuous ov ...
may be possible. Compounds with one heteroatom include:
Those with two heteroatoms include:
8-membered rings
Borazocine is an eight-membered ring with four nitrogen heteroatoms and four boron heteroatoms.
9-membered rings
Images of rings with one heteroatom
:''Names in italics are retained by IUPAC
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC ) is an international federation of National Adhering Organizations working for the advancement of the chemical sciences, especially by developing nomenclature and terminology. It is ...
and they do not follow the Hantzsch-Widman nomenclature''
Fused/condensed rings
Heterocyclic rings systems that are formally derived by fusion with other rings, either carbocyclic or heterocyclic, have a variety of common and systematic names. For example, with the benzo-fused unsaturated nitrogen heterocycles, pyrrole provides indole
Indole is an aromatic heterocyclic organic compound
In chemistry, organic compounds are generally any chemical compounds that contain carbon-hydrogen or carbon-carbon bonds. Due to carbon's ability to catenate (form chains with other c ...
or isoindole
In organic chemistry and heterocyclic chemistry, isoindole consists of a benzene ring fused with pyrrole. The compound is an isomer of indole. Its reduced form is isoindoline. The parent isoindole is a rarely encountered in the technical lite ...
depending on the orientation. The pyridine analog is quinoline
Quinoline is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound with the chemical formula C9H7N. It is a colorless hygroscopic liquid with a strong odor. Aged samples, especially if exposed to light, become yellow and later brown. Quinoline is only sli ...
or isoquinoline
Isoquinoline is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound. It is a structural isomer of quinoline. Isoquinoline and quinoline are benzopyridines, which are composed of a benzene ring fused to a pyridine ring. In a broader sense, the term isoqu ...
. For azepine, benzazepine
Benzazepines are heterocyclic chemical compounds consisting of a benzene ring fused to an azepine ring. Examples include:
File:Benazepril structure.svg, Benazepril
File:Fenoldopam.svg, Fenoldopam
File:GSK-189,254.svg, GSK-189,254
File:Ivabradine ...
is the preferred name. Likewise, the compounds with two benzene rings fused to the central heterocycle are carbazole
Carbazole is an aromatic heterocyclic organic compound. It has a tricyclic structure, consisting of two six-membered benzene rings fused on either side of a five-membered nitrogen-containing ring. The compound's structure is based on the indole str ...
, acridine
Acridine is an organic compound and a nitrogen heterocycle with the formula C13H9N. Acridines are substituted derivatives of the parent ring. It is a planar molecule that is structurally related to anthracene with one of the central CH groups re ...
, and dibenzoazepine. Thienothiophene are the fusion of two thiophene rings. Phosphaphenalene
Phosphaphenalenes are a class of heterocyclic aromatic compounds containing phosphorus with molecular formula . It is related to phenalene , where one of its carbons is replaced by phosphorus (phenalene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon). Phosp ...
s are a tricyclic phosphorus-containing heterocyclic system derived from the carbocycle phenalene.
History of heterocyclic chemistry
The history of heterocyclic chemistry began in the 1800s, in step with the development of organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds and organic materials, i.e., matter in its various forms that contain carbon atoms.Clayden, ...
. Some noteworthy developments:
1818: Brugnatelli isolates alloxan
Alloxan, sometimes referred to as ''alloxan hydrate'', is the name of the organic compound with the formula OC(N(H)CO)2C(OH)2. It is classified as a derivative of pyrimidine. The anhydrous derivative OC(N(H)CO)2CO is also known, as well as a di ...
from uric acid
Uric acid is a heterocyclic compound of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen with the formula C5H4N4O3. It forms ions and salts known as urates and acid urates, such as ammonium acid urate. Uric acid is a product of the metabolic breakdown ...
1832: Dobereiner produces furfural (a furan) by treating starch with sulfuric acid
1834: Runge obtains pyrrole ("fiery oil") by dry distillation of bones
1906: Friedlander synthesizes indigo dye, allowing synthetic chemistry to displace a large agricultural industry
1936: Treibs isolates chlorophyl derivatives from crude oil, explaining the biological origin of petroleum.
1951: Chargaff's rules are described, highlighting the role of heterocyclic compounds (purine
Purine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound that consists of two rings ( pyrimidine and imidazole) fused together. It is water-soluble. Purine also gives its name to the wider class of molecules, purines, which include substituted purines ...
s and pyrimidines) in the genetic code.
Uses
Heterocyclic compounds are pervasive in many areas of life sciences and technology.[Thomas L. Gilchrist "Heterocyclic Chemistry" 3rd ed. Addison Wesley: Essex, England,
1997. 414 pp. .] Many drugs are heterocyclic compounds.
References
External links
Hantzsch-Widman nomenclature, IUPAC
Heterocyclic amines in cooked meat, US CDC
List of known and probable carcinogens, American Cancer Society
List of known carcinogens by the State of California
Proposition 65
Proposition 65 (formally titled The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, and also referred to as Prop 65) is a California law passed by direct voter initiative in 1986 by a 63%–37% vote. Its goals are to protect drinking water s ...
(more comprehensive)
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