Question:medium

The below structure represent the drug:
structure of drug

Show Hint

- Catecholamines like Isoprenaline, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine have hydroxyl (-OH) groups on a benzene ring. 
- Isoprenaline is unique because it contains a methyl (\(- \text{CH}_3 \)) substitution on the amine group, differentiating it from Norepinephrine.

Updated On: Jul 14, 2026
  • Isoprenaline
  • Amphetamine
  • Norepinephrine
  • Salbutamol
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept.
This is a structure-to-name matching question involving four sympathomimetic amines that look similar but differ in their ring system and the group attached to the amine nitrogen.

Step 2: Key Approach.
Sort the four drugs by two features: whether the aromatic ring is a catechol (two adjacent hydroxyls) and what group sits on the amine nitrogen.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation.
Amphetamine is set apart immediately because it has no ring hydroxyl groups at all, only a plain benzene ring.
Salbutamol is set apart because its ring is a saligenin type with a hydroxymethyl group, not a catechol, and its nitrogen carries a bulky tert-butyl substituent.
That leaves norepinephrine and isoprenaline, both built on a true catechol ring.
Norepinephrine keeps a small, unbranched amine and an extra side-chain hydroxyl, while isoprenaline's side chain lacks that extra hydroxyl and instead carries an isopropyl group on the nitrogen, which is the branching pattern shown in the drawn structure.

Step 4: Final Answer.
The structure represents the drug isoprenaline.
Was this answer helpful?
1