ESIPT silatranyl framework and their hybrid silica nanoparticles for recognition of Zn2+ ions: Synthesis, antioxidant, cytotoxicity and molecular docking approach as xanthine oxidase inhibitor

Abstract

A silatranyl linked Schiff base is designed and synthesized via a condensation technique utilizing 4-(Diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and aminopropylsilane. Various methods, such as (1H and 13C) NMR and mass spectrometry, were used to characterize the structure of the generated compounds. Further silatrane-3a was successfully immobilized over silica nanoparticles and various spectroscopic techniques were utilized to examine the resultant hybrid silica nanoparticles. The sensing behavior of silatranes 3(a-b) and their hybrid silica nanoparticles towards Zn2+ ions and other metal ions was investigated using fluorescence spectrum analysis. Fluorescence investigation based on excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reveal a remarkable selectivity for Zn2+ ions. Importantly, the detection limit for Zn2+ ions was lower for hybrid silica nanoparticles than its precursor, suggesting a significant binding affinity. 1H NMR was used to evaluate silatranes 3(a-b) sensing mechanism toward Zn2+ ions. Additionally, ADMET test and MOLINSPIRATION were utilized to assess the pharmacokinetic profile, with silatranes 3(a-b) exhibiting improved results. Total antioxidant activity (TAA) and cytotoxicity of silatranes 3(a-b) and hybrid silica nanoparticles were examined. Further, molecular docking studies revealed that the silatrane-3a have potential to act as xanthine oxidase inhibitor and can be utilized in drug discovery.