Structure of Chloramphenicol
- Chloramphenicol is an organic molecule composed of several different elements. These include carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and chlorine. Its general formula is C11H12Cl2N2O5, which yields a molecular mass of 323.132 g/mol.
- The structure of chloramphenicol is not especially complicated, relative to the array of organic molecules used for similar purposes. The scientific name given to the molecule by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is 2,2-dichloro-N-((1R,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-nitrophenyl)propan-2-yl)acetamide. Note that the particular stereoisomer is significant to its use as a prescription drug.
- An analysis of the IUPAC name for chloramphenicol, 2,2-dichloro-N-((1R,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-nitrophenyl)propan-2-yl)acetamide, reveals the presence of a central acetamide, which refers the nitrogen joined with an oxygenated carbon-chain. Attached to the acetamide are other important components including a benzene ring and two chlorine atoms, which are significant in the molecule's complex chemical interactions.
- Chloramphenicol acts as a bacteriostatic agent in most cases, but has bactericidal capabilities in a few cases, such as Haemophilus influenzae. Its typical method of interference is to bind to ribosomal RNA, which stops bacteria from producing the proteins necessary for sustained life and growth. Organic chemistry reactions such as these are enhanced by the presence of particularly reactive species called leaving groups. In the case of chloramphenicol, the terminally-located chlorine atoms act as leaving groups.
- Though chloramphenicol is considered widely to be a safe drug for treating antibiotic infection, mostly used in topical applications, there is some risk associated with it. Idiosyncratic reactions, meaning those that are rare and inexplicable, have been known to occur, resulting in aplastic anemia, which may be fatal. Other, less severe, side-effects are reversible.
