Synthesis, spectroscopic characterisation, DFT insight, and molecular docking studies of a coumarin derivative 3-acetyl-2-oxo-2H-chromene-6-carbohydrazide

Abstract

In this study, a coumarin derivative, 3-Acetyl-2-oxo-2H-chromene-6-carbohydrazide that could be a new antifungal agent was synthesised, and characterised by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques. DFT calculation data (IR, 1H, and 13C NMR chemical shifts) reveals the good correlation with the experimental values to support the structure of the compound. Molecular geometry, stability, reactivity, and spontaneity were also predicted based on frontier molecular orbitals (FMO), electrostatic potential (ESP) and thermodynamic parameters like entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy. In addition, molecular docking study results implicate its strong binding (−7.1 to −7.8 kcal/mol) and inhibitory activity against four pathogenic fungal strains A. niger (5GHL), P. chrysogenum (3A72), S. cerevisiae (4G4S), and N. crassa (6MVJ). Thus, this compound may be considered biologically important and serve as a lead for the development of antifungal agents.