Structure

In 1988 chemist and researcher, Alan Howie discovered that AZT had a crystal structure.

When AZT is in a solid state it forms a hydrogen bonded network.

AZT is based upon a sugar.

AZT is a compound which is bonded covalently.

                                                    AZT

Zidovudine is an analog of thymine, which means that AZT has the structure of thymine with a few added parts so that that the compound does not work properly. As seen in the diagrams the thymine diagram is identical to the upper portion of the AZT diagram. This similarity causes the body, cell, and DNA to believe that the AZT is really Thymine.

Percent Composition by mass-

•              Carbon  - 44.93%

•              Hydrogen– 4.912%

•              Nitrogen– 26.21%

•              Oxygen– 23.94%

For each molecule of AZT there are 10 Carbon atoms, 13 Hydrogen atoms, 5 Nitrogen atoms, and 4 oxygen atoms.

Percent Composition by number- (+/- .01 or 1%)

• Carbon - 31%

• Hydrogen– 41%

• Nitrogen– 16%

• Oxygen– 13%

Interactive Model-