Heteroatomity
Heteroatomity refers to the presence of atoms other than carbon and hydrogen in an organic molecule. While hydrocarbons—compounds composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen—are fundamental to organic chemistry, many biologically and industrially important molecules incorporate additional elements known as heteroatoms. These heteroatoms can include oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine), and others, significantly expanding the diversity and functionality of organic compounds.
The inclusion of heteroatoms often alters the chemical and physical properties of a molecule. For example,
Heteroatomity plays a critical role in drug design, as many pharmaceuticals rely on heteroatoms to interact
The study of heteroatom-containing molecules spans synthetic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and biochemistry. Techniques such as spectroscopy,