Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry Overview. A heterocyclic
compound is defined as any organic compound where their
molecules are characterized by rings containing at least one
atom other than carbon. These compounds are structurally similar
to cyclic organic hydrocarbons, but their properties can vary
widely from those of their hydrocarbon counterparts and are
largely governed by the identity, location and number of
heteroatoms present in the molecule. It is this rich diversity
of physical and biological properties that has lead to intense
study of heterocyclic compounds. It follows then that
Heterocyclic Chemistry is the study of all aspects of
heterocyclic compounds. Heterocyclic chemistry has its origin in
organic synthesis, natural products chemistry and medicinal
chemistry. Indeed most any heterocyclic chemist will also
consider themselves organic chemists and many will consider
themselves to be natural products chemists and medicinal
chemists as well. This relationship between disciplines arises
because