Ribavirin (36791-04-5) is a synthetic chemical not natural. It was first synthesized in 1970 (Lau, 2002—see hepcassoc.org external link below) at ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (later Valeant Pharmaceuticals International) by chemist Joseph T. Witkowski, under the direction of laboratory director Roland K. Robins. This was inspired in part by discovery (in the 1960s) of antiviral activity from naturally-occurring purine-like nucleoside antibiotics like showdomycin, coformycin, and pyrazomycin. These agents had too much toxicity to be clinically useful (and the antiviral activity of them may be incidental), but they served as the starting point for pharmaceutical chemists interested in antivirals and antimetabolic chemotherapeutic agents.
    In 1972 it was reported that ribavirin was active against a variety of RNA and DNA viruses in culture and in animals, without undue toxicity.Some results repoted in human trials against experimental influenza infection were mixed, however, and the FDA ultimately did not approve this indication for ribavirin use in humans, thereby causing a severe financial shock to ICN.
    Though ICN was allowed in 1980 to market ribavirin,it is in inhalant form for RSV infection in children.By the time oral ribavirin was finally approved by the FDA as part of a combination treatment (with interferon) for hepatitis C in 1998, the original ICN patents on ribavirin itself had expired, and (notwithstanding subsequent patent disputes) ribavirin had become essentially a generic drug.

Ribavirin is an anti-viral drug indicated for severe RSV infection (individually), hepatitis C infection, and other viral infections. With the CAS NO. 36791-04-5, Ribavirin is Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.'s brand name for ribavirin, a synthetic nucleoside analogue (purine analogue). The chemical name of ribavirin is 1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide. Ribavirin is a white, crystalline powder. It is freely soluble in water and slightly soluble in anhydrous alcohol. The empirical formula is C₈H₁₂N₄O₅ and the molecular weight is 244.21.

Physical properties about Ribavirin are: (1)ACD/LogP: -1.85; (2)# of Rule of 5 Violations: 1; (3)ACD/LogD (pH 5.5): -1.85; (4)ACD/LogD (pH 7.4): -1.85; (5)ACD/BCF (pH 5.5): 1.00; (6)ACD/BCF (pH 7.4): 1.00; (7)ACD/KOC (pH 5.5): 2.35; (8)ACD/KOC (pH 7.4): 2.35; (9)#H bond acceptors: 9; (10)#H bond donors: 5; (11)#Freely Rotating Bonds: 6; (12)Index of Refraction: 1.823; (13)Molar Refractivity: 51.088 cm³; (14)Molar Volume: 117.055 cm³; (15)Polarizability: 20.253 10-24cm³; (16)Surface Tension: 106.78099822998 dyne/cm; (17)Density: 2.086 g/cm³; (18)Flash Point: 340.728 °C; (19)Enthalpy of Vaporization: 99.283 kJ/mol; (20)Boiling Point: 639.782 °C at 760 mmHg

Uses of Ribavirin: Ribavirin is used as broad-spectrum nucleoside antiviral medicine. Ribavirin is active against a number of DNA and RNA viruses. It is a member of the nucleoside antimetabolite drugs that interfere with duplication of viral genetic material. In the U.K. and the U.S. the oral (capsule or tablet) form of ribavirin is used in the treatment of hepatitis C, in combination with pegylated interferon drugs.

When you are using this chemical, please be cautious about it as the following:
1. Avoid exposure - obtain special instruction before use;
2. Do not breathe dust;
3. In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show label where possible);
4. Wear suitable gloves and eye/face protection;
5. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice;

You can still convert the following datas into molecular structure:
(1)InChI=1S/C8H12N4O5/c9-6(16)7-10-2-12(11-7)8-5(15)4(14)3(1-13)17-8/h2-5,8,13-15H,1H2,(H2,9,16)/t3-,4-,5-,8-/m1/s1;
(2)InChIKey=IWUCXVSUMQZMFG-AFCXAGJDSA-N;
(3)Smilesn1([C@@H]2O[C@H](CO)[C@H]([C@H]2O)O)nc(C(N)=O)nc1

The toxicity data is as follows: