Dihydropyridintypen

Dihydropyridintypen are a class of heterocyclic compounds based on the 1,4-dihydropyridine ring, a partially hydrogenated form of pyridine. Chemists use them as versatile scaffolds in organic synthesis, and pharmacologists know them best as dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (DHP-CCBs). The core features a six‑member ring with one nitrogen atom; substituents at the 3 and 5 positions (often ester groups) and at the 4 position define individual derivatives.

In medicine, DHP-CCBs inhibit L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle, causing vasodilation and reduced peripheral resistance. They are primarily used to treat hypertension and angina; nimodipine is notable for cerebrovascular use. Compared with non-dihydropyridine CCBs (verapamil, diltiazem), DHPs tend to have greater vascular selectivity, though drugs vary in onset and duration. Side effects can include peripheral edema, headaches, flushing, and sometimes reflex tachycardia.

The class includes several generations and many marketed drugs, such as nifedipine, felodipine, amlodipine, nicardipine, nimodipine, isradipine, nisoldipine, and lercanidipine. First-generation compounds are often shorter-acting; later generations offer improved pharmacokinetic profiles and dosing convenience.

Synthesis commonly uses the Hantzsch condensation to assemble the dihydropyridine ring, which is then elaborated with diverse substituents to tune activity and pharmacokinetics. Overall, dihydropyridintypen span a broad chemical family and a clinically important class of calcium channel blockers with diverse substituent-driven properties.