Methyldopa (α -methyldopa) is a centrally acting antihypertensive drug that has been extensively prescribed for the management of hypertension, particularly in pregnant women, due to its established safety profile and non-teratogenic nature. Beyond its clinical use, methyldopa has attracted increasing scientific interest because of its unique chemical structure, which contains multiple oxygen- and nitrogen-donor functional groups capable of undergoing structural modification and metal coordination. This comprehensive review highlights the chemical structure of methyldopa, its synthesis pathways, spectroscopic characteristics—particularly FTIR analysis—and its pharmacological mechanisms of action as an α 2-adrenergic receptor agonist. Special attention is given to methyldopa-induced adverse effects, including hepatotoxicity, immune-mediated reactions, and neuropsychiatric implications associated with hyperprolactinaemia. Furthermore, recent advances in the utilization of methyldopa beyond conventional pharmacotherapy are discussed. These include its role as a functional monomer in molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for highly selective electrochemical sensing applications, as well as its incorporation into metal and organotin(IV) complexes. Such complexes have demonstrated promising performance in diverse fields, including CO2 storage, polymer photostabilization, and anticancer activity. Notably, methyldopa-derived triphenyltin complexes exhibit superior efficiency, attributed to enhanced aromatic interactions and improved physicochemical properties. Overall, this review underscores the versatility of methyldopa as a multifunctional molecule bridging medicinal chemistry and materials science. The findings emphasize its potential for future development in advanced therapeutic systems, environmental applications, and functional materials, encouraging further interdisciplinary research on methyldopa-based derivatives and complexes.
Kadhim et al. (Wed,) studied this question.