Polymers as Carriers of Active Heterocyclic Compounds

Dear Colleagues,

Heterocyclic compounds hold significant importance in biotechnology and pharmaceutics. They are crucial constituents of pharmaceutics—ubiquitous fragments in most marketed drugs. In over 80% of the most effective small-molecule drugs, there is at least one heterocyclic fragment present in their structures.

They prove to be handy tools in regulating properties like the lipophilicity, polarity, and hydrogen-bonding capacity of molecules. The incorporation of heterocycles enables drug designers to enhance the pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and physicochemical properties of drug candidates.

Heterocyclic systems are commonly employed as bioisosters for various functional groups in drug candidates. The strategic integration of heterocyclic groupings can optimize potency and selectivity. Their capability to engage in hydrogen bonds with target proteins further contributes to the pharmacological benefits.

Heterocycles are capable of strongly chelating metal ions. This characteristic has been utilized in the development of inhibitors for HIV-1 integrase, where the potent chelation by Mg²⁺ ions in the binding pocket of the enzyme is essential for its efficacy.

Heterocycles are vital constituents of natural products, including nucleic acids, amino acids, vitamins, and alkaloids. Efforts in medicinal chemistry commonly aim to replicate these natural structural motifs.

When combining heterocyclic compounds with either natural or synthetic polymers, it enables the controlled delivery of the aforementioned compounds. Heterocyclic systems may be attached to polymers via chemical bonds (covalent or coordination), hydrogen bonding, or encapsulation in nano- or micro-spherical structures (capsules, liposomes, micelles). By encapsulating heterocyclic compounds in spherical structures, hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties can be modified and solubility and stability can be improved.

Prof. Dr. Karen Khachatryan
Guest Editor

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• heterocyclic compounds
• polymers
• heterocycles
• medicinal chemistry
• drug candidates