Ring Nitrogen and Key Biomolecules

1. Pyrroles and tetrapyrroles, including porphyrins.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Natural occurrence of monopyrroles.- 1.3 Pyrrolic properties of biochemical relevance.- 1.4 Discovery and natural occurrence of tetrapyrroles and related compounds.- 1.5 Natural occurrence of dipyrroles and tripyrroles.- 1.6 Porphyrin biosynthesis and interconversion.- 1.7 Porphyrin catabolism and the formation of bile pigments and phycobilins.- 1.8 Biochemical functions.- 1.9 Biological and pharmacological activity.- 1.10 Synthetic compounds of clinical importance.- References.- Wider Reading (books and reviews).- 2. Imidazoles and benzimidazoles.- 2.1 Discovery and natural occurrence.- 2.2 Chemical properties of biochemical interest.- 2.3 Biosynthesis.- 2.4 Catabolism.- 2.5 Biological functions.- 2.6 Biological and pharmacological activity.- References.- Wider Reading.- 3. Pyrazoles.- 3.1 Discovery and natural occurrence.- 3.2 Chemical properties of biochemical interest.- 3.3 Biosynthesis of pyrazole and ?-pyrazol-1-ylalanine.- 3.4 Catabolism.- 3.5 Biological and pharmacological activity.- 3.6 Synthetic pyrazoles of medical and agricultural importance.- References.- 4. Pyridines.- 4.1 Discovery and natural occurrence.- 4.2 Chemical properties of biochemical interest.- 4.3 Biosynthesis and interconversion.- 4.4 Catabolism.- 4.5 Biochemical functions.- 4.6 Biological and pharmacological activity of pyridine derivatives.- 4.7 Synthetic compounds of clinical importance.- 4.8 Compounds of agricultural importance.- References.- Wider Reading (books and reviews).- 5. Pyrimidines.- 5.1 Discovery and occurrence.- 5.2 Chemical properties of biochemical interest.- 5.3 Biosynthesis and interconversion.- 5.4 Pyrimidine catabolism.- 5.5 Biochemical functions of pyrimidines.- 5.6 Biological andpharmacological activity of naturally occurring pyrimidines.- 5.7 Synthetic pyrimidines of pharmaceutical interest.- 5.8 Pyrimidines in horticultural and agricultural use.- 5.9 Pyrimidine chemistry and biochemistry, conclusions.- References.- Wider Reading (books and reviews).- 6. Purines.- 6.1 Discovery and natural occurrence.- 6.2 Chemical properties of biological significance.- 6.3 Biosynthesis and interconversion.- 6.4 Purine catabolism.- 6.5 Defects in purine metabolism.- 6.6 Biochemical functions of purines.- 6.7 Biological and pharmacological activity.- 6.8 Synthetic purines and purine analogues of clinical importance.- 6.9 Conclusions.- References.- Wider Reading (books and reviews).- 7. Pteridines.- 7.1 Discovery and natural occurrence.- 7.2 Chemical and physical properties of biochemical interest.- 7.3 Biosynthesis of folates.- 7.4 Catabolism.- 7.5 Biochemical role of folic acid and its derivatives.- 7.6 Synthetic compounds of clinical importance.- References.- Wider Reading (books and reviews).- 8. Flavins.- 8.1 Discovery and natural occurrence.- 8.2 Chemical properties of biochemical interest.- 8.3 Biogenesis of flavins and pteridines.- 8.3 Biosynthesis of riboflavin.- 8.4 Biochemical role of riboflavin and its derivatives.- 8.5 Synthetic compounds of medicinal or agricultural interest.- References.- Wider Reading (books and reviews).- 9. Indoles.- 9.1 Discovery and natural occurrence.- 9.2 Chemical properties of biochemical interest.- 9.3 Biosynthesis and interconversion.- 9.4 Catabolism.- 9.5 Biochemical functions.- 9.6 Biological and pharmacological activity.- 9.7 Synthetic compounds of clinical importance.- 9.8 Compounds of agricultural and horticultural importance.- Wider Reading (books and reviews).- 10. N-Heterocycles and living systems —conclusions.