Barbituric acid
Barbituric Acid
Barbituric acid (/bɑːrbɪˈtjʊərɪk/), also known as malonylurea or 6-hydroxyuracil, is an organic compound based on a pyrimidine heterocyclic skeleton. It is an odorless powder soluble in water. Barbituric acid is the parent compound of barbiturate drugs, although barbituric acid itself is not pharmacologically active.
Etymology
The term "barbituric acid" originates from the combination of the words "barbiturate" and "uric acid". The word "barbiturate" is derived from the name of its discoverer, the German chemist Adolf von Baeyer, and "uric acid", a compound he used in his research.
Chemistry
Barbituric acid is the parent structure of a variety of barbiturates. It is a pyrimidine derivative and has a structure similar to that of pyrimidine, a basic aromatic ring which is a fundamental unit of nucleic acids. Barbituric acid is formed from malonic acid and urea in a condensation reaction.
Pharmacology
While barbituric acid itself is not pharmacologically active, its derivatives, known as barbiturates, are commonly used in the treatment of insomnia, epilepsy, and as anesthetics. These drugs work by enhancing the action of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA_A receptor, resulting in sedative, hypnotic (sleep-inducing), anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant properties.
Related Terms
See Also
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.