ScienceAugust 8, 2026

chloroquine

KLOR-uh-kween

Definition

A synthetic drug compound originally developed as an antimalarial treatment that serves as a base framework for synthesizing other effective medications, such as primaquine.

Etymology

The name is a portmanteau derived from 'chloro-' (referring to the presence of chlorine in the molecule) and 'quinoline' (a nitrogen-containing chemical compound), reflecting its specific chemical composition.

In the news

In this article, chloroquine is mentioned as a German-synthesized compound that provided the chemical foundation researchers like Dr. Eichelberger analyzed to successfully develop treatments for malaria.

Lillian Eichelberger: Helped Establish Medical Ethics in Post WWII America

Read the full article ↗

Substack

Related words

aminoquinoline

A specific class of chemical compounds derived from quinoline, used as the structural…

Science

antimalarial

A substance or drug designed to prevent, treat, or eliminate malaria infection.

Science

malarial

Relating to, caused by, or infected with malaria, a serious disease transmitted by…

Science

methylated

Describing a chemical process in which a methyl group is added to a molecule, often…

Science

plutonium

A radioactive chemical element used as a fuel source in the radioisotope thermoelectric…

Science

primaquine

A synthetic drug used to treat and prevent malaria, specifically effective at eradicating…

Science

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.