Aspidophytine
Encyclopedia
Aspidophytine is an indole
alkaloid
that has attracted a lot of attention from synthetic chemists. An extract of the cockroach plant
, aspidophytine is an insecticidal
substance particularly effective against cockroach
es.
The suicide note of Harvard doctoral student Jason Altom
refers specifically to his stress in trying to synthesize the molecule.
Indole
Indole is an aromatic heterocyclic organic compound. It has a bicyclic structure, consisting of a six-membered benzene ring fused to a five-membered nitrogen-containing pyrrole ring. Indole is a popular component of fragrances and the precursor to many pharmaceuticals. Compounds that contain an...
alkaloid
Alkaloid
Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids...
that has attracted a lot of attention from synthetic chemists. An extract of the cockroach plant
Cockroach plant
The cockroach plant is three closely related species of perennial shrub native to Central America and the American Southwest...
, aspidophytine is an insecticidal
Insecticidal
Insecticidal is a 2005 [Horror Thriller featuring giant, killer insects. A college student is modifying insects until a housemate tries to kill them...
substance particularly effective against cockroach
Cockroach
Cockroaches are insects of the order Blattaria or Blattodea, of which about 30 species out of 4,500 total are associated with human habitations...
es.
The suicide note of Harvard doctoral student Jason Altom
Jason Altom
Jason Altom was a Ph.D. student working in the research group of Nobel laureate Elias James Corey at Harvard University. He committed suicide by taking potassium cyanide in 1998, citing in his suicide note "abusive research supervisors" as one reason for taking his life...
refers specifically to his stress in trying to synthesize the molecule.