Ritalinic acid is a
substituted phenethylamine and an inactive major
metabolite
In biochemistry, a metabolite is an intermediate or end product of metabolism.
The term is usually used for small molecules. Metabolites have various functions, including fuel, structure, signaling, stimulatory and inhibitory effects on enzymes, c ...
of the
psychostimulant drugs methylphenidate and
ethylphenidate.
When administered orally, methylphenidate is extensively metabolized in the liver by hydrolysis of the
ester group
In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an oxoacid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one hydroxyl group () is replaced by an alkoxy group (), as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Glycerides ar ...
yielding ritalinic acid.
The hydrolysis was found to be catalyzed by
carboxylesterase 1
Liver carboxylesterase 1 also known as carboxylesterase 1 (CES1, hCE-1 or CES1A1) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ''CES1'' gene. The protein is also historically known as serine esterase 1 (SES1), monocyte esterase and cholesterol e ...
(CES1).
Etymologically, ritalinic acid shares its roots with ''Ritalin'', a common brand name for methylphenidate.
Uses
Ritalinic acid is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of methylphenidate and its analogues, such as
ethylphenidate and
isopropylphenidate.
References
{{reflist
External links
Ritalinic acidon
PubChem
2-Benzylpiperidines
Methylphenidate
2-Piperidinyl compounds