Unveiling the molecular insights of 2-(carboxymethyl) benzoic acid: A density functional theory approach towards structural and biological attributes

Abstract

Nowadays density functional theory (DFT) is one of the best methods to explore the vibrational modes and structure of the biological system. Quantum mechanical calculations are performed using gas phase and different solvents (DMSO, methanol and water). The derived global reactive parameters, structural and topological study provides the clear insight of the 2-(Carboxymethyl) benzoic acid. Depth studies of DFT proves the existence of hydrogen bonds between donor and acceptor in the compound, which is supportive for the biological applications. In this paper, different experimental and computational simulated FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV–Vis spectral studies are used to explicate vibration assignments of the 2-(Carboxymethyl) benzoic acid. Experimentally observed vibrational frequency is compared with theoretically simulated spectrum. B3LYP method with 6–311++G (d, p) basis set is used in DFT to optimize the 2-(Carboxymethyl)benzoic acid structure. The most stable lower energy conformer is identified using potential energy surface (PES) analysis using Gaussian 16 W software. ESP, HOMO-LUMO, NBO, and QTAIM calculations have evinced an adequate electronic characterization of 2-(Carboxymethyl) benzoic acid. Further, van der Waals and steric interactions among 2-(Carboxymethyl) benzoic acid have been discussed with the help of RDG study. Hirshfeld surface studies establish the existing various interaction among molecules and total packing arrangement of the crystal structure. Due to the high biological activity score, 2-(Carboxymethyl) benzoic acid is a good therapeutic candidate. Lipophilicity analysis of 2-(Carboxymethyl)benzoic acid clearly explicates the bioactivity properties and its effective drug applications. Further, molecular docking investigates that the compound can be used as anticancer medication. The detailed DFT study of the 2-(Carboxymethyl) benzoic acid justified its biological applications of the present communication. The calculated NLO parameters of 2-(Carboxymethyl)benzoic acid evidenced for good efficacy in diverse filed application has been discussed.