In Search of a Name: A Collection of Interesting Plant-derived Nitrogen-containing Natural Products Lacking a Trivial Name.

A collection of presently unnamed nitrogen-containing compounds belonging to the classes of alkaloids and nucleosides was compiled from primary literature sources (journal articles and patents) related to Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Product Chemistry. Their interesting structures and bioactivities are highlighted and, based on both their origin and structural characteristics, an attempt is made to propose trivial names for them. Moreover, this review article is enriched with basic information about the host plant, including its phytochemical content, traditional uses, and modern studies relating the plant or its parts to biological activity, with particular emphasis on nitrogen-containing compounds. When available, the total synthesis of these natural products is presented. Alternatively, the search for synthetic procedures of closely related key scaffolds provides an initial hint for an organic chemist who may intend to synthesize them.