Indomethacin belongs to which chemical class of NSAIDS?
Show Hint
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are grouped by the chemical skeleton attached to their carboxylic acid (–COOH) group. Knowing the core ring of a drug lets you predict its chemical family.
Concept: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are grouped by the chemical skeleton attached to their carboxylic acid (–COOH) group. Knowing the core ring of a drug lets you predict its chemical family.
Step 1: Look at the structure of Indomethacin. Its backbone is an indole ring (a benzene fused with a pyrrole) carrying an acetic acid side chain at the 3-position.
Step 2: Because the acetic acid group sits on the 3-position of the indole nucleus, Indomethacin is classified as an indole-3-acetic acid derivative.
Why the others are wrong: Aryl/heteroaryl acetic acids like diclofenac use a plain aryl ring, not an indole. Propionic acid derivatives (ibuprofen, naproxen) have a –CH(CH3)COOH chain. N-aryl anthranilic acids are the fenamates (mefenamic acid). None of these match the indole core of indomethacin.