Barbiturates mechanism

The direct formation of dipyrimidin-5-yl sulfides occurs on treatment of appropriate 5-unsubstituted pyrimidine substrates with sulfur mono- or di-chloride. Thus, reaction of uracil (83 R = H) with sulfur monochloride in boiling formic acid gives diuracil-5-yl sulfide in good yield sulfur dichloride gives a poor yield. Simple derivatives of uracil and barbituric acid undergo similar reactions but not cytosine, isocytosine, 2,4-bismethylthiopyrimidine or pyrimidine-4,6-dione (59). The mechanism is unknown (72AJC2275). 

It is, however, more likely that the discrepancies observed in the periodate oxidation of malonaldehyde concern mainly the hydroxylation step. In the mechanism proposed (5) for this reaction, it is the enol form of malonaldehyde which is hydroxylated. However, titrations of a solution of malonaldehyde, prepared by hydrolysis of an aqueous solution (33) of carefully distilled 1, 3, 3-tri-ethoxypropene (46, 47), both with strong base and with iodine, indicate that only about 80% of the enol form is present in the equilibrium solution. On the other hand, the thio-barbituric acid test (58, 59) gave consistently higher values for the malonaldehyde content of the solution. The fact that only about 80% of the enol form is present in the equilibrium solution is all the more important as it can be shown (56) by titration with strong base that the enolization is slow, and moreover does not seem to go to completion. 

Pentobarbital, marketed under the name Nembutal, is a barbiturate used i treating insomnia. It is synthesized in three steps from diethyl maionatt Show how you would synthesize the dialkylated intermediate, and then pre pose a mechanism for the reaction of that intermediate with urea to giv pentobarbital. 

The other method used is infusion of intravenous anaesthetics such as propofol, etomidate (for induction) and the barbiturates such as thiopental and pentobarbital. Investigations into the mechanism of anaesthesia have made use of all these compounds in order to identify a common mode of action linked to likely mechanisms within the CNS. 

The precise mechanism through which benzodiazepines and barbiturates produce mood elevation remains to be elucidated. The mood-elevating effect of the benzodiazepines and barbiturates is probably mediated not only by acute increases in the actions of GABA but also by neural connections from... 

The major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the cerebral cortex is y-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It attaches to neuronal membranes and opens chloride channels. When chloride flows into the neuron, it becomes hyperpolarized and less excitable. This mechanism is probably critical for shutting off seizure activity by controlling the excessive neuronal firing. Some antiepileptic drugs, primarily barbiturates and benzodiazepines, work by enhancing the action of GABA. 

A particular mechanism of barbiturate ring opening has been observed for some barbiturates hydroxylated on the side-chain. The mechanism and relevance of this tautomeric lactam-lactone equilibrium are discussed in Chapt. 11. 

Several pharmacological issues pertain to most CNS depressant drugs (Hobbs et al. 1996 Julien 1997). Depending on their pharmacological mechanisms, combinations of CNS depressants can produce additive or synergistic effects, when the total effect is equal to or greater than the sum of their individual effects, respectively. For example, in doses that would be safe individually, combinations of alcohol and barbiturates can be lethal. 

The mechanism of reaction between barbiturate and 1,3-dimethylbarbiturate ions with o-nitro-, j -nitro-, and 2,4-dinitrobenzaldehyde has been explored rate dependence on solvent viscosity is indicative of involvement of a diffusion-controlled proton transfer in the rate-determining step at pH 2-4. Unexpected values of Brpnsted a for the acid-catalysed process have been explained. 

Hypnotics fall into different categories, including the benzodiazepines (e.g., triazolam, temazepam, clotiaze-pam, nitrazepam), barbiturates (e.g., hexobarbital, pentobarbital), chloral hydrate, and Hi-antihistamines with sedative activity (p. 114). Benzodiazepines act at specific receptors (p. 226). The site and mechanism of action of barbiturates, antihistamines, and chloral hydrate are incompletely understood. 

Meprobamate was proposed before the introduction of benzodiazepines into medical practice. The exact mechanism of action of this drug is not known however, its effects on the CNS are more similar to the effects barbiturates than to benzodiazepines, but with shorter-lasting action. After the introduction of benzodiazepines into practice, the use of this drug became significantly less. Meprobamate is used primarily as a daytime anxiolytic in treating conditions of anxiety associated with everyday, usual, and common stress. Synonyms for this drug are cypron, equanil, stenzol, mepron, miltaun, and others. 

Various drugs including barbiturates and benzodiazepines, which are used for relieving the severe, convulsive conditions that originate as a result of conditions other than epilepsy, are used in treating epilepsy. It is believed that various mechanisms may be operating within the genesis of epilepsy, and it is possible to influence these mechanisms medicinally. 

The efficacy of barbiturates as antiepileptic drugs can be attributed to their effect on the stimulation of epileptogenic neurons, and also on the GABA-ergic channel in the CNS by elevating of the inhibitory action of GABA. Furthermore, barbiturates can reduce the excitatory effects of glutamate at synapses. It is not presently known which of these proposed mechanisms is more important for the development of antiepileptic activity. 

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