Classification of Heterocyclic Compounds: Heterocycles are cyclic compounds in which one or more atoms of the ring are hetero atoms like O, N, S, P, etc. They are present in many biologically important molecules such as alkaloids, essential amino acids, vitamins, hemoglobin, nucleic acids, and hormones. Heterocyclics are also present in a large number of synthetic drugs like caffeine, acyclovir (antiviral), clopidogrel (anti-platelet), diazepam, carbamazepine (anti-epileptic), nicotine, etc.
Classification of Heterocyclic Compounds:
These heterocycles may be classified based on the number of atoms present in the ring. For example,
(a) Five membered heterocyclic rings containing one heteroatom:
(b) Five membered heterocyclic rings containing two heteroatoms (1, 2 – azoles):
(c) Five membered heterocyclic rings containing two heteroatoms (1, 3 – azoles):
(d) Six membered heterocyclic rings containing one heteroatom:
(e) Six membered heterocyclic rings containing two heteroatoms:
(f) Polyclic heterocyclic rings:
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