Where does dihydropyridine come from?

Answer 1

Through the Hantzsch Dihydropyridine (Pyridine) Synthesis.
This reaction allows the preparation of dihydropyridine derivatives by condensation of an aldehyde with two equivalents of a β-ketoester in the presence of ammonia. Subsequent oxidation (or dehydrogenation) gives pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylates, which may also be decarboxylated to yield the corresponding pyridines.
In medicine, dihydropyridines bind to and inhibit the voltage\-gated calcium channel of skeletal muscle T junctional membranes, the principle molecular transducer of excitation\-contraction coupling.

Answer 2

Dihydropyridines are molecules based upon pyridine that have been semi-saturated with two substituents replacing one double bond.

Examples include:

* amlodipine
* felodipine
* nicardipine
* nifedipine
* nimodipine