Details of CH4214 (Spring 2026)

Level: 4 Type: Theory Credits: 4.0

Course CodeCourse NameInstructor(s)
CH4214 Heterocyclic Chemistry and Natural Products Alakesh Bisai,
Sanjio S. Zade

Preamble
The heterocyclic compounds have gained a lot of attention because of their numerous
significant medical and biological uses. Research interest on heterocyclic compounds is
rapidly increasing due to the extensive synthetic study and functional utility.On the other
hand, natural products and their analogues contribute to drug discovery and other societal
relevance. Natural productsare the chemical ingredients synthesized by living organisms via
semisynthetic or synthetic methods. They are being utilized by human beings as a primary
source for food, shelter, and curative remedies. Their importance is based on the fact that they
are mostly bound to renewable sources, which in fact makes them valuable within a circular
economy. By completing this course students will understand the importance of the
heterocycles and natural products in biological systems and their synthetic approaches.

Syllabus
Part A: Heterocyclic Chemistry:
Importance of Heterocyclic compounds: Biological Systems and Drug Discovery (2
Lectures)
Three to Six-membered Heterocycles: Aziridine, Oxiranes, Thiiranes, Azirines, oxirane,
diazirine, oxaziridine, Azetidine, Azetines, Oxetanes, Thietanes, Azetidinones, Oxetanones,
Pyrrole, Furan, Thiophenes, Pyrazole, imidazole, thiazole, Oxazole, Pyridines, Pyrylium
salts, L- proline, L-pipecolinic acid (5 Lectures)
Bicyclic and Tricyclic Heterocycles: Indole, indolizines, Dibenzopyrroles, Benzfuran,
Benzthiophenes, Quinolines, isoquinolines, Acridines, Phenanthridines and related
heterocycles (4 Lectures)
Heterocycles in Biological Systems: Purine and Pyrimidines, Nucleosides, Nucleotides,
Pteridines, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) and related heterocycles (4 Lectures)
Heterocycles in Drug Discovery: Hydroxychloroquine, Darunavir, Ebselen, Ciprofloxacin,
Azithromycin, Levoleucovorin, Methotrexate and related drugs (4 Lectures)
Part B: Natural Products:
History and Purpose of Synthesis, Milestones in Organic Synthesis, Natural Products and
hybrids that Changed the World (4 Lectures)
Pharmaceutical Applications of Natural products; Vitamin E, Vitamin K etc. anti-cancer drug
Methotrexate, and Taxol (2 Lectures)
Importance of Fatty Acid, Terpenes, Steroids, Polyketides and their synthesis, Prostaglandins,
Phenolics, Anthraquinones (3 Lectures)
Importance and synthetic strategies to Aromatic a-Amino Acids, Lignans, Coumarins,
Flavonoids and Antibiotics (5 Lectures)
Alkaloids: piperidines, indolizidines, quinolizidines, carbazoles, toxins (nicotine, lupinines,
strychnine etc.), drugs (cocaine, opiates, quinine, vincristine etc.) (5 Lectures)

References
Suggested Books:
(1) Heterocyclic chemistry - J.A. Joule, K. Mills & G.F. Smith.
(2) Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry - A. R. Katritzky and C. W. Rees 69
(3) Heterocyclic Chemistry - T. L. Gilchrist.
(4) The Essence of Heterocyclic Chemistry, New Age International Publications, 2013.
(5) Heterocycles in Natural Product Synthesis by K. C. Majumder and Shital K.
Chattopadhyay
(6) Molecules that Changed the World by K. C. Nicolaou and Tamsyn Montagnon
(WILEY-VCH)
(7) The Way of Synthesis by Thomas Hudlicky and Josephine W. Reed (WILEY-VCH)
(8) Protecting Group Free Organic Synthesis: Improving Economy and Efficiency by
Rodney A. Fernandes (WILEY-VCH)
(9) Classics in Total Synthesis: Targets, Strategies, Methods by K. C. Nicolaou and E. J.
Sorensen (WILEY-VCH)
(10) Classics in Total Synthesis II: More Targets, Strategies, Methods by K. C.
Nicolaou and S. A. Snyder (WILEY-VCH)
(11) Classics in Total Synthesis III: Further Targets, Strategies, Methods by Jason
S. Chen and K. C. Nicolaou (WILEY-VCH)

Course Credit Options

Sl. No.ProgrammeSemester NoCourse Choice
1 IP 2 Not Allowed
2 IP 4 Not Allowed
3 MP 2 Not Allowed
4 MP 4 Elective
5 MR 2 Not Allowed
6 MR 4 Not Allowed
7 MS 10 Not Allowed
8 MS 4 Not Allowed
9 MS 6 Not Allowed
10 MS 8 Elective
11 RS 1 Elective
12 RS 2 Elective