Oseltamivir, the most effective antiviral drug against avian influenza currently available, can be prepared in 10 steps from shikimic acids. identify the functional groups in oseltamivir and shikimic acid.

Oseltamivir is an antiviral for systemic use, a neuraminidase inhibitor. It is administrated as a phosphate derivate that is a prodrug of the active metabolite (oseltamivir carboxylate). The active metabolite is a selective inhibitor of influenza virus neuraminidase enzymes, which are virion surface glycoproteins.

The functional groups of oseltamivir is a cyclohexene which is composed of four ramifications:

*Ethyl Methanoate (Ethyl Formate), which will be converted to a methanoate.

*Amino group.

*Acetamido group (Acetyl + amine).

*And an ether pentane.

Shikimic acid is the basis (precursor) of the manufacture of oseltamivir (Tamiflu), one of the best non-vaccine influenza chemotherapy.

Its functional groups are:

*Three hydroxyl group that will be replaced by an ether group, acetamido group, an amino group to form oseltamivir.

*A carboxylic group which will be transformed into an ester group to form oseltamivir.