(-)-morphinan
Sign in to saveMorphinan is the prototype chemical structure of a large chemical class of psychoactive drugs, consisting of opiate analgesics, cough suppressants, and dissociative hallucinogens, among others. Typical examples include compounds such as morphine, codeine, and dextromethorphan (DXM). Despite related molecular structures, the pharmacological profiles and mechanisms of action between the various types of morphinan substances can vary substantially. They tend to function either as μ-opioid receptor agonists (analgesics), or NMDA receptor antagonists (dissociatives).
Article
5 sectionsContents
- Structure
- Structure-activity relationship
- Chemical derivatives
- Chemical relatives
- References
Morphinan is the prototype chemical structure of a large chemical class of psychoactive drugs, consisting of opiate analgesics, cough suppressants, and dissociative hallucinogens, among others. Typical examples include compounds such as morphine, codeine, and dextromethorphan (DXM). Despite related molecular structures, the pharmacological profiles and mechanisms of action between the various types of morphinan substances can vary substantially. They tend to function either as μ-opioid receptor agonists (analgesics), or NMDA receptor antagonists (dissociatives).
== Structure == Morphinan has a phenanthrene core structure with the A ring remaining aromatic and the B and C rings being saturated, and an additional nitrogen-containing, six-membered, saturated ring, the D ring, being attached to carbons 9 and 13 of the core, and with the nitrogen being at position 17 of the composite.