Atlas of the Three-Dimensional Structure of Drugs

Beschrijving

Atlas of the Three-Dimensional Structure of Drugs is an English-language scientific reference book edited by J. P. Tollenaere, H. Moereels and L. A. Raymaekers that provides a comprehensive visual and structural overview of the three-dimensional chemical architecture of pharmaceutical compounds. Originally published in 1979 as part of the Janssen Research Foundation series, the atlas spans over 300 pages and is aimed at chemists, pharmacologists, medicinal researchers and students interested in the spatial configuration of therapeutic agents and their implications for drug action.

The book systematically presents three-dimensional models and crystallographic data of a wide range of drugs, illustrating how molecular shape, stereochemistry and conformational features influence biological activity. Each section covers a class of compounds — such as muscarinic agonists and antagonists, β-adrenergic agents and other pharmacologically relevant families — and shows how structural elements like rings, side chains and functional groups contribute to drug-receptor interactions. Detailed diagrams and explanatory captions accompany each structure, making it easier to visualise complex molecular forms and understand their functional significance.

Designed as a reference atlas rather than a narrative textbook, the volume serves researchers who need a reliable source of structural comparisons and conformational insights. Its extensive collection of drug structures supports work in medicinal chemistry, computational modelling, and the rational design of new pharmacological agents, bridging crystallography with practical applications in drug development.