Methadone is an analgesic that is commonly used in the treatment of opioid dependence. The structure of methadone is given in figure. Identify by marking it with an asterisk (*) on a copy of figure, the chiral carbon atom in methadone.

Chiral carbon centres are carbon atoms that are attached to four different substituents in a molecule. The chiral carbon atom present in methadone molecule is indicated by an asterisk (*) as shown below:

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Examples of strong analgesics are morphine, codeine, and diamorphine (heroin). Identify two functional groups present in all three of these analgesics.

Important Questions on Medicinal Chemistry

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Suggest, by comparing the structures of methadone and morphine, which functional groups in their molecules are likely to be involved in binding to the opioid receptor?

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Explain, with reference to intermolecular interactions, how morphine will interact with water in solutions?

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Morphine, diamorphine, and codeine are strong analgesics. Their solubility in water and lipids depends on the nature of the functional groups present in their molecules. Suggest which of these three drugs will be most soluble in water?

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Suggest which drug methadone or methadone hydrochloride will be more soluble in water, and which one will have higher bioavailability?

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Diamorphine (heroin) is often administered as an ionic salt, diamorphine hydrochloride. State the name of the functional group in diamorphine that can be protonated by strong acids.

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Heroin is a derivative of:

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State the name of the type of chemical reaction, which is used to convert morphine into diamorphine.

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Aspirin, morphine, and diamorphine (heroin) are painkillers. Other than the phenyl group, state the name of one other functional group that is common to both aspirin and diamorphine.

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Discuss two advantages and two disadvantages of using morphine and other opiates for pain relief.

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Methadone is an analgesic that is commonly used in the treatment of opioid dependence. The structure of methadone is given in figure.

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State the names of two functional groups in the molecule of methadone.

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Methadone is an analgesic that is commonly used in the treatment of opioid dependence. The structure of methadone is given in figure.

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Identify by marking it with an asterisk (*) on a copy of figure, the chiral carbon atom in methadone.

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Mild analgesics such as aspirin, and strong analgesics such as opiates, differ not only in their potency but also in the ways they act on the central nervous system. Describe how mild and strong analgesics provide pain relief.

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Methadone binds to the opioid receptor in the same way as morphine but does not produce the euphoric effect of opiates. Deduce whether methadone is a strong analgesic or a mild analgesic?

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Suggest how the bioavailability of diamorphine will be affected by its conversion into an ionic salt?

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Suggest a reagent that could be used to convert morphine into diamorphine and state the name of the type of reaction taking place.

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Identify one functional group present in morphine, but not in diamorphine.

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Chemistry>Organic Chemistry>Medicinal Chemistry>Opiates

Deduce the equation for the reaction of diamorphine with hydrogen chloride.