Intermolecular interactions in 4-bromoaryl derived aldimines: X-ray structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis, DFT and molecular docking studies

Abstract

A convenient and facile synthesis of (E)-N-(4-bromophenyl)-1-phenylmethanimine (b), (E)-N-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) methanimine (c) and (E)-4-(((4-bromophenyl)imino) methyl)-2-methoxyphenol (d) was accomplished by refluxing 4-bromo aniline(a) with an appropriate aldehyde in solvent methanol. X-ray crystallography, theoretical computations, and spectroscopic techniques were utilized to describe and detect interactions between and among various groups of synthesized imines (b-d). Compound b-d crystallize in monoclinic crystal systems with space groups Pnma, P21, P21/c, and P21/c, respectively, whereas compound a crystallize in orthorhombic crystal systems. To identify the intermolecular interactions, Hirshfeld surface analysis was also used, emphasizing the importance of hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and the impact of substituents. Hirshfeld surface fingerprint plots were used to study crystal packing motifs. Energy frameworks examined the electrostatic energy input that stabilizes solid state structures. Additionally, studies pertaining to the optimization of the structure, frontier molecular orbital (highest occupied–lowest unoccupied) and molecular electrostatic potential calculations were conducted. Lastly, using the membrane protein of the naturally occurring fungus Candida albicans SC5314, molecular docking investigations of compounds a–d were conducted (PDB-ID 7RJE)