Synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopic characterization, in vitro, molecular docking and DFT studies of 1- (Tert-Butyl) 2-methyl (2S, 4R)-4-hydroxy pyrrolidine-1,2-dicarboxylate

Abstract

A chiral pyrrolidine-based compound, namely 1-(Tert-Butyl) 2-Methyl (2S, 4R)-4-Hydroxy Pyrrolidine-1,2-Dicarboxylate (NHP), was synthesized and crystallized by the slow evaporation technique. NMR, FT-IR, ESI-MS, UV–visible spectroscopy, and elemental analysis designate the molecule. The molecule crystallized in the orthorhombic space group P212121, identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Quantum chemical calculations were performed using DFT at the B3LYP/6–311++G (d,p) level. The DFT-calculated optimal structural parameters and the XRD-derived parameters showed a good correlation. The frequency of NHP is calculated using the DFT method and compared with observed results. The synthesized compound's molecular reactivity was further investigated using Mulliken atomic charges, HOMO-LUMO, and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP). The molecule was tested for molecular docking with bio-enzymes such as α-amylase (1HNY) and cyclooxygenases (1PGG & 4COX). The compound showed 7 hydrogen bonding interactions with 1HNY and 8 hydrogen bonding interactions with 4COX. The DFT investigations strongly support the molecular docking results. The molecule's in-vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activity was compared with conventional medication. The NHP showed superior anti-inflammatory activity with protein denaturation technique than the standard diclofenac sodium. The results showed that the molecule outperformed the conventional medication in tests for inflammation.