The Most Common Functional Groups in Bioactive Molecules and How Their Popularity Has Evolved over Time

The
concept of functional groups (FGs), sets of connected atoms
that can determine the intrinsic reactivity of the parent molecule
and in part are responsible for the overall properties of the molecule,
form a foundation within modern medicinal chemistry. In this Article,
we analyze the occurrence of various FGs in molecules described in
the medicinal chemistry literature over the last 40 years and show
how their development and utilization over time has varied. The popularity
of various FGs has not evolved randomly, but instead, clear patterns
of use are evident. Various factors influencing these patterns, including
the introduction of new synthetic methods, novel techniques, and strategies
applied in drug discovery and the better knowledge of molecular properties
affecting the success of candidate development, are discussed.