Beyond C, H, O, and N! Analysis of the elemental composition of U.S. FDA approved drug architectures

J Med Chem. 2014 Dec 11;57(23):9764-73. doi: 10.1021/jm501105n. Epub 2014 Oct 6.

Abstract

The diversity of elements among U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pharmaceuticals is analyzed and reported, with a focus on atoms other than carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Our analysis reveals that sulfur, chlorine, fluorine, and phosphorous represent about 90% of elemental substitutions, with sulfur being the fifth most used element followed closely by chlorine, then fluorine and finally phosphorous in the eighth place. The remaining 10% of substitutions are represented by 16 other elements of which bromine, iodine, and iron occur most frequently. The most detailed parts of our analysis are focused on chlorinated drugs as a function of approval date, disease condition, chlorine attachment, and structure. To better aid our chlorine drug analyses, a new poster showcasing the structures of chlorinated pharmaceuticals was created specifically for this study. Phosphorus, bromine, and iodine containing drugs are analyzed closely as well, followed by a discussion about other elements.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chlorine / chemistry*
  • Drug Approval*
  • Fluorine / chemistry
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / analysis*
  • Phosphorus / chemistry
  • Sulfur / chemistry
  • United States
  • United States Food and Drug Administration

Substances

  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Phosphorus
  • Fluorine
  • Chlorine
  • Sulfur