Question

The ring structure present in strychnine is:

• A. Indole
• B. Purine
• C. Imidazole
• D. Phenanthrene

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Strychnine is a well-known alkaloid that is commonly derived from the seeds of the Strychnos nux-vomica tree. It is a highly potent and toxic compound that has been studied for its complex molecular structure.

The question asks which ring structure is present in strychnine. To determine the correct answer, we need to analyze the common rings found within the chemical structures of various organic compounds.

Strychnine itself consists of several interconnected rings. Among the options provided (Indole, Purine, Imidazole, Phenanthrene), we focus on the following:

• Indole: This is a bicyclic structure featuring a six-membered benzene ring fused to a five-membered nitrogen-containing pyrrole ring. Many naturally occurring alkaloids contain the indole structure.
• Purine: It contains a pyrimidine ring fused to an imidazole ring, forming a more elaborate bicyclic structure, common in structures of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.
• Imidazole: It is a five-membered ring containing two non-adjacent nitrogen atoms. Imidazole is a basic building block for histidine and some other biochemical compounds.
• Phenanthrene: It is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) consisting of three fused benzene rings. It's a part of certain natural compounds, but not primarily found in strychnine's structure.

Upon examining these options and understanding the specific structure of strychnine, we find that:

Indole is indeed present within the complex ring system of strychnine. The presence of the nitrogen and the specific arrangement that includes a benzene-like structure fused with a nitrogen-containing ring confirms this.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Indole.