Tag: Functional group

In organic synthesis, acetals are frequently used as protecting groups for ketones and aldehydes, temporarily masking their reactivity [1.3.1, 1.5.3]. So, **what is acetal good for** in the broader context of pharmacology and medicine? Its roles are surprisingly diverse.

The dioxolane moiety, a type of cyclic acetal, is found in 24 drugs approved by the FDA prior to 2018 [1.5.5]. But is acetal an antibiotic? The short answer is no; they represent fundamentally different concepts in chemistry and pharmacology [1.2.1, 1.6.1].

The sulfonamide functional group, also known as sulphonamide, was first discovered in Germany in 1932 and became the basis for the first synthetic antibacterial drugs. So, what is the structure of sulphonamide? It is an organosulfur group, R-SO₂-NR'R'', that is a crucial component in many important medications.