Back to: Organic Chemistry 400 Level
Welcome to class!
Hello highly valued learner, I’m really excited to continue this learning journey with you today. I hope you’re feeling refreshed, because today we are starting a totally new and very interesting area of Organic Chemistry – Natural Products Chemistry. This is the area where chemistry meets nature, traditional medicine and the pharmaceutical industry. You will gradually see how many of the things around us — from bitter leaf and shea butter to quinine and caffeine — are made of complex organic molecules produced by living organisms.
Natural Products Chemistry I
Have you ever wondered why chewing sticks from certain trees help clean the teeth or why ginger and garlic are used to treat infections in many Nigerian homes? These amazing properties all come from natural organic compounds that plants and animals produce to survive. Natural products chemistry helps us study, understand and utilise these compounds.
Meaning of Natural Products Chemistry
Natural Products Chemistry is the branch of organic chemistry that deals with the isolation, structure determination, chemical properties and biological activities of chemical compounds produced by living organisms. These compounds are often called secondary metabolites, because unlike carbohydrates or proteins, they are not directly involved in growth or reproduction but usually help the organism defend itself, attract pollinators or adapt to its environment.
Primary vs. Secondary Metabolites
Primary metabolites are essential for basic survival (e.g., glucose, amino acids, nucleic acids).
Secondary metabolites are not directly involved in basic life processes but often have special physiological functions (e.g., alkaloids in bitter kola, flavonoids in moringa).
Classification of Natural Products
Natural products are broadly divided into the following major classes:
Alkaloids: Nitrogen-containing compounds typically with strong physiological effects. Example: quinine (from Cinchona tree) used for malaria treatment.
Terpenoids: Derived from isoprene units; they include essential oils (e.g., eucalyptus oil), carotenoids and natural rubber.
Phenolic Compounds: Contain aromatic rings with hydroxyl groups. Examples include tannins found in tea and cocoa and flavonoids in Nigerian fruits.
Glycosides: Molecules where a sugar is bonded to a non-carbohydrate part called aglycone (e.g., digoxin from Digitalis species).
General Steps in Studying Natural Products
Collection and Identification of Source – e.g. harvesting neem leaves or bark in a controlled environment.
Extraction – using solvents such as ethanol, methanol or water to pull out the active components from the material.
Isolation and Purification – separating the compound of interest using chromatography.
Structure Determination – using analytical techniques (NMR, IR, MS) to find the molecular structure.
Biological Testing – checking antimicrobial or antioxidant activity, usually in the laboratory.
Importance of Natural Products Chemistry
Natural products have given us many life-saving medicines (like antibiotics), flavouring agents (like vanilla), agrochemicals (like rotenone) and are also used in cosmetics, perfumery and food industry. In fact, many modern drugs originate directly or indirectly from natural product research. This is why it remains one of the most active and exciting areas of research in Organic Chemistry.
Summary
- Natural Products Chemistry focuses on the study of chemical compounds produced by living organisms.
- These compounds are mostly secondary metabolites, which differ from primary metabolites involved in basic life processes.
- Major classes include alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds and glycosides.
- The study of natural products involves collection, extraction, isolation, structure determination and biological testing.
- Natural products are vital in medicine, agriculture, cosmetics and food industries.
Evaluation
- Define natural products chemistry in your own words.
- Differentiate between primary and secondary metabolites with one example each.
- List four major classes of natural products.
- Describe one useful application of natural products in daily life.
You’re doing excellently well and I’m proud of your commitment. Keep pushing forward – Afrilearn is always here to support and inspire you through every step of your learning journey!