Electrostatic Potential Surface Research Articles

Hydration effects on molecular structure, vibrational, electronic properties, drug-likeness analysis, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics studies of (Z)-3-(2-oxo-2-phenylethylidene)indolin-2-one

This study examines how solvation models, including COSMO, CPCM, PCM, and SMD, affect the conformations, molecular structure, vibrational behaviors, and electronic properties of the (Z)-3-(2-oxo-2-phenylethylidene)indolin-2-one (Z3-2O2PEI) molecule within the framework of the B3LYP/cc-pVTZ model chemistry, along with its potential effectiveness as a drug for treating COVID-19. The most stable molecular conformation of the studied coùpound was identified in the presence of the COSMO solvent. The theoretical vibrational frequencies matched the experimentally observed FT-IR and Raman data. Solvent influences on the UV–vis spectra of Z3-2O2PEI revealed electronic transitions from n to π* and π to π* orbitals, along with evidence of intermolecular charge transfer (ICT) supported by analyses of Frontier Molecular Orbitals (FMO) and Natural Bond Orbitals (NBO). The examinations of Mulliken atomic charge distributions and molecular electrostatic potential surfaces reveal the electrophilic and nucleophilic sites of the molecule under study. Non-covalent Interaction (NCI) analysis confirmed the presence of steric effects and Van der Waals interactions within the compound. According to molecular docking studies, the Z3-2O2PEI molecule exhibits significant binding affinity for PLpro, a protein targeted in COVID-19 treatment. This finding is supported by subsequent molecular dynamics analysis, validating the docking results.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Analysis of Probenecid and Pyridine Compound Salts

This study aimed to address the issue of the low solubility in the model drug probenecid (PRO) and its impact on bioavailability. Two salts of probenecid (PRO), 4-aminopyridine (4AMP), and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (4DAP) were synthesized and characterized by PXRD, DSC, TGA, FTIR, and SEM. The crystal structures of the two salts were determined by SCXRD, demonstrating that the two salts exhibited different hydrogen bond networks, stacking modes, and molecular conformations of PRO. The solubility of PRO and its salts in a phosphate-buffered solution (pH = 6.8) at 37 °C was determined, the results showed that the solubility of PRO salts increased to 142.83 and 7.75 times of the raw drug, respectively. Accelerated stability experiments (40 °C, 75% RH) showed that the salts had good phase stability over 8 weeks. Subsequently, Hirshfeld surface (HS), atom in molecules (AIM), and independent gradient model (IGM) were employed for the assessment of intermolecular interactions. The analyses of salt-forming sites and principles were conducted using molecular electrostatic potential surfaces (MEPs) and pKa rules. The lattice energy (EL) and hydration-free energy (EHF) of PRO and its salts were calculated, and the relationships between these parameters and melting points and the solubility changes were analyzed.

Benzyloxychalcone Hybrids as Prospective Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors against Alzheimer's Disease: Rational Design, Synthesis, In Silico ADMET Prediction, QSAR, Molecular Docking, DFT, and Molecular Dynamic Simulation Studies.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) are crucial therapeutic targets for both the early and severe stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Chalcones and their chromone-based derivatives are well-known building blocks with anti-Alzheimer properties. This study synthesized 4-benzyloxychalcone derivatives and characterized their structures using IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS. Additionally, the synthesized 4-benzyloxychalcone derivatives were tested for anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. The synthesized compounds outperformed galantamine, which is used as a positive control against acetylcholinesterase. Utilizing an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) receptor (PDB ID: 4EY7)-chalcone derivative (12a-c), a molecular docking investigation was performed on the synthesized compounds. The goal was to predict the binding sites and energies of the derivatives with respect to the receptor amino acids. The dynamic behavior of the ligand-receptor complex resulting from the interaction of the best docking compounds 12a and 12c with the acetylcholinesterase receptor was used to analyze the stability via MD simulation. MM/GBSA and MM/PBSA were used to calculate free binding energies using snapshots from system trajectories. Advanced computational approaches incorporating long-range corrections were utilized to calculate the molecular characteristics of chalcone derivatives 12a-c at the DFT/wB97XD/6-311++G(d,p) level. We used the molecular electrostatic surface potential (MESP) with high-quality data and visualization to find the most active site in these molecules. Reactivity descriptors, including the condensed Fukui function, chemical hardness (η), dual descriptors, chemical potential (μ), and electrophilicity (ω), were calculated for the chalcone derivatives.

Visualization and standardized quantification of surface charge density for triboelectric materials

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) operates on the principle of utilizing contact electrification and electrostatic induction. However, visualization and standardized quantification of surface charges for triboelectric materials remain challenging. Here, we report a surface charge visualization and standardized quantification method using electrostatic surface potential measured by Kevin probe and the iterative regularization strategy. Moreover, a tuning strategy on surface charge is demonstrated based on the corona discharge with a three-electrode design. The long-term stability and dissipation mechanisms of the injected negative or positive charges demonstrate high dependence on deep carrier traps in triboelectric materials. Typically, we achieved a 70-fold enhancement on the output voltage (~135.7 V) for the identical polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based TENG (neg-PTFE/PTFE or posi-PTFE/PTFE triboelectric pair) with stable surface charge density (5% decay after 140 days). The charged PTFE was demonstrated as a robot e-skins for non-contact perception of object geometrics. This work provides valuable tools for surface charge visualization and quantification, giving a new strategy for a deeper understanding of contact electrification.

Metal-Induced Enhancement of Tetrel Bonding. The Case of C⋅⋅⋅X-IrIII (X=Cl, Br) Tetrel Bond Involving a Methyl Group.

In X-ray structures of the isomorphic mer-[IrX3(THT)(CNXyl)2] (X=Cl 1, Br 2; THT=tetrahydrothiophene; Xyl=2,6-Me2C6H3-) complexes, we revealed short intermolecular contacts between the C-atom of an isocyanide methyl group and halide ligands of another molecule. Geometrical consideration of the X-ray data and analysis of appropriate DFT studies allowed the attribution of these contacts to CMe⋅⋅⋅X-IrIII (X=Cl, Br) tetrel bond. Specifically, through the application of DFT calculations and various theoretical models, the presence of tetrel bonding interactions was validated, and the contribution of the CMe⋅⋅⋅X-IrIII interaction was assessed. The reinforcement of the tetrel bond upon the isocyanide coordination to iridium(III) is substantiated by molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface calculations. To distinguish the tetrel bonding characteristics of CMe⋅⋅⋅X-IrIII (X=Cl, Br) interactions from conventional hydrogen bonding, we employed multiple computational methodologies, including Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis and Electron Localization Function (ELF) analysis. Additionally, Energy Decomposition Analysis (EDA) was applied to selected model systems to explore the underlying physical nature of these interactions.

Degradation of Diclofenac by Bisulfite Coupled with Iron and Manganous Ions: Dual Mechanism, DFT-Assisted Pathway Studies, and Toxicity Assessment

Diclofenac (DCF) is often detected in diverse aquatic bodies, and ineffective management can lead to detrimental effects on human health and ecosystems. In this study, degradation of DCF by Fe(III) and Mn(II) activating bisulfite (BS) was investigated. In the Fe(III)/Mn(II)/BS system, 93.4% DCF was degraded at 200 μM BS within 120 s, and additional research on 1000 μM BS achieved 88.4% degradation efficacy. Moreover, kinetics fitting of DCF degradation with the different BS concentrations was studied to find the two highest reaction rates (200 and 1000 μM, kobs = 0.0297 and 0.0317 s−1, respectively). Whereafter, SO4•− and Mn(III) were identified as the main active species at these two concentrations, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations, molecular frontier orbital theory, and surface electrostatic potential (ESP) forecast electrophilic attack sites. DCF degradation pathways by radical and non-radical ways were proposed by attack site prediction and thirteen intermediates identified by UPLC-QTOF-MS. ECOSAR software 2.2 was used for toxicity assessment. This work studied DCF degradation by the Fe(III)/Mn(II)/BS process in the presence of different concentrations of BS, providing a new insight into water purification.

Spectroscopic Characterizations and DFT Calculations of Olanzapine: Thermochemistry, HOMO-LUMO, FT-IR, MEP, and Hirshfeld Surface (HS) Analyses

Olanzapine (OZ) was investigated quantum chemically using Density Functional Theory (DFT) approach, and its surface was analyzed spectrochemically. To obtain the optimized structure, which serves as the basis for all other calculations, the LanL2DZ basis set was used. DFT method has employed to investigate the analysis of the title compound, with a specific focus on its ground state, which corresponds to the minimum energy state. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels of the frontier orbitals were obtained. The energy gap between HOMO and LUMO orbitals was determined to be 3.937 eV. HOMO-LUMO band gap (BG) emphasizes that adequate charge transfer has occured within the molecule. In this context, Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) surface analysis was investigated, and thermochemical properties of OZ (C17H20N4S-molecular formula) were obtained and reported. The Hirshfeld surfaces including di, de, dnorm, shape index, curvedness, and fragment patch of C17H20N4S were pictured and discussed.

Energetic features of H-bonded and antiparallel π-stacked supramolecular assemblies in pyrazolones: Experimental, computational and biological analyses

The work presented herein outlines a straightforward synthetic route to produce a series of pyrazolone compounds, which are significant in both coordination chemistry and pharmaceutical research. These heterocyclic compounds were thoroughly characterized using FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and their molecular structures were conclusively determined through X-ray crystallography. The resulting supramolecular architectures feature a variety of noncovalent interactions, including conventional NH…O and CH…O hydrogen bonds, CH…halogen contacts, CH…N interactions, and offset π-π stacking. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, alongside Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) surface analysis and Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM)/Non-Covalent Interaction (NCI) plot methodologies, were employed to probe these interactions further. This analysis highlighted the significance of both CH…O and NH…O hydrogen bonds and revealed the critical role of antiparallel π-stacking interactions, particularly within chlorophenyl and benzonitrile substituted pyrazolones, underscoring their stabilizing effects on the molecular structure. Biological assessment against urease enzyme unveiled compound 3a as the lead inhibitor with an IC50 value of 0.71 ± 0.09 μM and 31-folds strong inhibition than thiourea, thus making pyrazolone heterocycles as potential drug candidates.

Adsorption promoted heterogeneous catalytic ozonation for removing emerging contaminations: The intrinsic correlations with biochar properties and complementary effect of adsorption and ozonation processes

The increasingly strict standards for petrochemical wastewater treatment and the increasing attention to emerging contaminations (ECs) have exacerbated the problems of limited activity, insufficient mass transfer power and poor pH stability faced by ozonation processes. Adsorption promoted heterologous catalytic ozonation (HCOAP) based on Enteromorpha prolifera-based biochar (EpC) is a clean and efficient technology to overcome the above problems. By exploring the detailed conversion pathways of N, O functional groups during pyrolysis, EpC2-650 with optimal HCOAP activity is obtained, which has the best complementary effect during ECs removal due to the alternating change between adsorption and heterogeneous ozonation processes under different conditions. Besides dominant functional groups, the HCOAP reactivity is also influenced by surface electrostatic potential, CDD (atomic reactivity), and frontier molecular orbital of ECs. Among the representative advantageous structure, the 2p orbitals hybridization on the bonding states orbital and the close charge exchange between pyrrolic-N and *O3 (EA-O3 = -2.9 eV) promote the formation of *O and reduce ROS generation barrier. Specifically, EpC2-650-HCOAP system has the highest production of ⋅OH and ⋅O2-, and maintaining a stable ECs removal rate with only a 3.17 % variation for TC and a 2.93 % variation for PNP across a pH range of 6.5 to 9. Additionally, it achieves higher treatment efficiency for petrochemical wastewater than ozonation and adsorption systems. This study provides reference for the activity prediction of biomass materials, and highlights the potential of ozonation progress in the efficient and stable application for treating ECs.

Bromo substituted aroylhydrazones: Synthesis, crystal structures, Hirshfeld surface analysis, 3D energy frameworks, DNA/BSA binding, and antimicrobial activity

Two bromo substituted aroylhydrazones such as 2-benzoylpyridine-4-bromobenzhydrazone (HBpB) and di-2-pyridyl ketone-4-bromobenzhydrazone (HDpB) were synthesized. The synthesized compounds have been characterized physicochemically using CHNS analysis, FT-IR, UV-vis absorption, 1H NMR and high resolution-mass spectra and the structures have been confirmed with single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. HBpB got crystallized in the monoclinic P21/c space group and the HDpB in the triclinic P1¯ space group. The supramolecular interactions present in the crystal system were studied with Hirshfeld surface (HS) analysis. The energy frameworks have been built by using different intermolecular interaction energies in order to study the stability of the molecule and determine the dominant energy type. The average interaction energy values for compounds HBpB and HDpB are found to be -280.4 and -327.2 kJ mol−1, respectively. Further, the nature of frontier orbitals and the stability of the compounds in the gas phase were theoretically analyzed, and the electrostatic potential surface diagram were plotted on optimized geometries. The binding potentials of HBpB and HDpB with DNA and BSA protein were investigated using spectroscopic, electrochemical, and in silico molecular docking methods. The results showed that HBpB has a higher binding affinity with both DNA and BSA compared to HDpB. Both HBpB and HDpB interact with DNA through a minor groove mode, while their binding to BSA involves mainly hydrophobic type. The ADMET analysis of compounds yielded favorable results for their potential use in pharmacological applications. When assessing the antibacterial capabilities of the tested samples, both the compounds showed good antimicrobial activities towards Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus Subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia Coli.

Electrostatic Surface Potentials and Chalcogen-Bonding Motifs of Substituted 2,1,3-Benzoselenadiazoles Probed via 77Se Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.

Chalcogen bonds (ChB) are moderately strong, directional, and specific non-covalent interactions that have garnered substantial interest over the last decades. Specifically, the presence of two σ-holes offers great potential for crystal engineering, catalysis, biochemistry, and molecular sensing. However, ChB applications are currently hampered by a lack of methods to characterize and control chalcogen bonds. Here, we report on the influence of various substituents (halogens, cyano, and methyl groups) on the observed self-complementary ChB networks of 2,1,3-benzoselenadiazoles. From molecular electrostatic potential calculations, we show that the electrostatic surface potentials (ESP) of the σ-holes on selenium are largely influenced by the electron-withdrawing character of these substituents. Structural analyses via X-ray diffraction reveal a variety of ChB geometries and binding modes that are rationalized via the computed ESP maps, although the structure of 5,6-dimethyl-2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole also demonstrates the influence of steric interactions. 77Se solid-state magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy, in particular the analysis of the selenium chemical shift tensors, is found to be an effective probe able to characterize both structural and electrostatic features of these self-complementary ChB systems. We find a positive correlation between the value of the ESP maxima at the σ-holes and the experimentally measured 77Se isotropic chemical shift, while the skew of the chemical shift tensor is established as a metric which is reflective of the ChB binding motif.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Fluorescence and Theoretical Calculations of Three Zn(II)/Cd(II) Complexes with Bis-dentate N,N-Quinoline Schiff Base.

Three d10 metal complexes, ZnL(OAc)2 (1), CdL(OAc)2 (2) and [CdL2(NO3)2]·CH3CN (3) were synthesized using the ligand (E)-N-(3-methoxy-4-methylphenyl)-1-(quinolin-2-yl)methanimine (L) and characterized by FT-IR spectra, NMR spectra, and CHN elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that complexes 1 and 2 are isostructural, with the central metal adopting a hexacoordinate octahedral geometry, while complex 3 adopts a triangular dodecahedron geometry. Thermal gravimetric analysis showed that these complexes exhibit good thermal stability. Solid-state fluorescence spectroscopy measurements demonstrated that complexes 1-3 exhibit bright yellow-green fluorescence (λem = 564nm for 1; 524nm for 2; 542nm for 3), suggesting their potential as photoluminescent materials. Furthermore, DFT calculations, including frontier molecular orbitals, energy levels, and surface electrostatic potential, provided insights into the structural and electronic spectral properties of complexes 1-3.

Single crystal, conformational, quantum reactivity, hirshfeld surface, molecular interactions, ADMET, and molecular docking investigations on HIV-1 site of 3-isopropyldiphenyl-1-(2-(thiophen-2yl)acetyl)piperidin-4-one

The 3-isopropyl-2,6-diphenyl-1-(2-(thiophen-2yl)acetyl)piperidin-4-one (IPTP) single crystals were grown by slow evaporation method and the structure is confirmed through FT-IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectral analyses. Single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the title compound having chair conformation of the piperidine ring, with an axial orientation of phenyl rings at C-2 and C-6 positions and an isopropyl group at C-3. Hirshfeld surface analysis was employed to examine intermolecular contacts and strong and weak attractive, repulsive, and van der Waals interactions in the molecule were determined using the reduced density gradient method (RDG). The geometrical parameters obtained through Density Functional Theory are compared with experimental values and also conducted to optimize structural parameters, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), and molecular electrostatic potential surface analysis (MEPS). NBO calculations were employed to investigate intermolecular and intramolecular charge movement, as well as the molecule's stability. Vibrational Energy Distribution Analysis (VEDA) software facilitated potential energy decomposition (PED) analysis using FT-IR wave numbers. The title compound molecular docking data were compared with the markedly available FDA-approved anti-HIV drug of Nelfinavir and their results were discussed, ADME analysis studies were discussed concerning FDA-approved anti-HIV drugs, including Nelfinavir, Betulinic Acid, Haloperidol, and Donepezil.

Investigation on molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy of the novel 2BCA molecule to analyse its biological activities and binding interaction with nipah viral protein

The molecule of 2-Biphenyl Carboxylic Acid (2BCA), which contains peculiar features, was explored making use of density functional theory (DFT) and experimental approaches in the area of quantum computational research. The optimised structure, atomic charges, vibrational frequencies, electrical properties, electrostatic potential surface (ESP), natural bond orbital analysis and potential energy surface (PES) were obtained applying the B3LYP approach with the 6–311++ G (d,p) basis set.. The 2BCA molecule was examined for possible conformers using a PES scan. The methods applied for spectral analyses included FT-IR, FT-RAMAN, NMR, and UV–Vis results. Vibrational frequencies for all typical modes of vibration were found using the Potential Energy Distribution (PED) data. The UV–Vis spectrum was simulated using the TD-DFT technique, which is also seen empirically. The Gauge-Invariant Atomic Orbital (GIAO) approach was employed to model and study the 13C and 1H NMR spectra of the 2BCA molecule in a CDCL3 solution. The spectra were then exploited experimentally to establish their chemical shifts. To predict the donor and acceptor interaction, the NBO analysis was used. The electrostatic potential surface was employed to anticipate the locations of nucleophilic and electrophilic sites. Hirshfeld surfaces and their related fingerprint plots are exploited for the investigation of intermolecular interactions. Reduced Density Gradient (RDG) helps to measure and illustrate electron correlation effects, offering precise insights into chemical bonding, reactivity, and the electronic structure of 2BCA. According to Lipinski and Veber’s drug similarity criteria, 2BCA exhibits the typical physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties that make it a potential oral pharmaceutical candidate. According to the findings of a molecular docking study, the 2BCA molecule has promise as a treatment agent for the Nipah virus (PDB ID: 6 EB9), which causes severe respiratory and neurological symptoms in humans.

Process comparison and performance evaluation of different entrainers for pressure swing extractive distillation refining gasoline additives based on multi-objective optimization and process intensification

As a new gasoline additive, methyl tertiary amyl ether (TAME) can improve the antiknock performance and quality of gasoline. This study uses an energy-saving process for separating TAME/methanol (MeOH)/H2O by pressure-swing extractive distillation with different entrainers based on multi-objective optimization and 4E analysis. The 1entrainers are screened by the difference in relative volatility of components under different entrainer conditions, and the electrostatic potential of the molecular surface of the system and entrainers are analyzed. Multi-objective optimization of the pressure swing extractive distillation process with 5 different entrainers is carried out based on the generation non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-Ⅱ) optimization scheme, and the Pareto frontier is optimized by the minimum distance method. The results indicate that the extraction schemes of 1,3-propanediol (PDO) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) have excellent economic and environmental benefits through comprehensive analysis. As an effective means of process intensification, the application of heat pump technology can further reduce process costs and environmental pollution. The coefficient of heating performance (COP) is used to find the most suitable pairing route for heat pump-assisted processes, achieving the goal of reducing gas emissions and energy use. Then, different processes are evaluated in terms of economy, energy consumption, environment, and exergy loss. The results show that the process intensification scheme based on heat pump technology can effectively improve the economic and environmental benefits of the process, reducing the annual total cost (TAC) and gas emissions by 9.19% and 23.55%, respectively. This study provides the selection and reference for azeotrope separation of TAME and recycling of wastewater.

Monolithic polar conjugated microporous polymers: Optimisation of adsorption capacity and permeability trade-off based on process simulation of flue gas separation

The challenge in developing porous materials that significantly reduce energy consumption in industrial gas separation lies in striking a balance between adsorption capacity and permeability. Herein, the precise anchoring of polar oxygen adsorption sites in a robust porous conjugated backbone is achieved through the directed self-assembly of building blocks, resulting in the formation of oxygen-enriched conjugated microporous polymers (O-CMPs). O-CMPs serve as attractive porous hosts for the synergistic separation of CO2 and PM in exhaust gases emitted from point sources. As analyzed by surface electrostatic potential, the introduction of oxygen-doped π-conjugated systems induced surface charge redistribution, enhancing the CO2 quadrupole-dipole effect within a widely distributed microporous network. The O-CMPs exhibited a high CO2 adsorption capacity of 125.84 mg/g at 273 K and 1.0 bar. The monolithic O-CMPs incorporate permanently integrated hierarchical pores with a high micropore ratio. This transport channel can enhance the transfer rate of gas flow while selectively intercepting CO2 and PM. The rigid conjugated molecular chains and hollow nanotube microstructure effectively prevent material densification, yielding a minimal gas permeation resistance of only 5 Pa. Additionally, O-CMPs also demonstrate outstanding stability and PM separation performance under humid and acid/alkaline condition. The visual process simulations serve to further validate that aforementioned design strategy can optimize the trade-off between adsorption capacity and permeability.

Negative Voltage Electrospinning for the Production of Highly Efficient PVDF Filters

AbstractIn recent years, the demand for filter media has increased dramatically, driven by the need to manufacture personal protective equipment and for various applications in the industrial and civil sectors. Nanofiber‐based membranes are proposed as potential alternatives to commercial filtration devices. This study presents the design and implementation of an innovative pre‐industrial electrospinning setup, combining a negatively charged spinneret and a positively charged counter‐electrode, capable of producing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers with an average diameter of 410 nm and electrostatic surface potential values 3.7 times higher compared to a conventional electrospinning process, eliminating the need for further post‐treatment. These properties are essential for improving mechanical and electrostatic filtration of small particles, including infectious droplets. The surface potential of the membranes is also long‐lasting, as evidenced by tests one year after manufacture. As a case‐study, these filters are used to manufacture surgical masks, reporting excellent performance in terms of bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) up to 99.9%, and breathability (29.8±4.5 Pa cm−2) when compared to commercially available meltblown polypropylene (PP) face masks, and also complied with the stringent European standard (EN14683:2019) for type‐II surgical masks. Furthermore, the pre‐industrial setup allows for increased production capacity of up to 42 000 m2 per year, suitable for large‐scale production.

Integrated quantum chemical calculations, predictive toxicity assessment, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity profiling and molecular docking analysis to unveil the therapeutic potential of non‐oxovanadium(IV) and organotin(IV) complexes targeting breast cancer cells

AbstractIn this work, theoretical calculations of o‐phenylphenol‐based non‐oxovanadium(IV) and organotin(IV) complexes, previously prepared and reported by our group, have been carried out by density functional theory (DFT). Density functional theory quantum chemical computations were used to explore the structural and spectroscopic characteristics of the complexes in this study. The inhibitory nature of complexes were revealed via molecular docking research, which were performed against selected breast cancer cell proteins, 5NWH and 3HB5. The optimization and stability of complexes 1–6, were conducted using optimized DFT/B3LYP/6–311++G (d, p) level. Simulated computations of the molecular electrostatic potential surface were also performed to analyze the reactive behavior of the non‐oxovanadium(IV) and organotin(IV) complexes. The stability and molecular reactivity of the molecules were computed using the HOMO‐LUMO energies, energy gap, chemical potential (μ), electronegativity (χ), hardness (η), and softness (S) values. In silico analysis through molecular docking, ADMET properties and toxicity evaluation was used to assess its anticancer activity, drug‐likeness property and toxicity. The binding constant value, evaluated from molecular docking, was found to be very promising, −10.1 kcal mol−1 observed for vanadium complex 5 and the complexes were found to exhibit inhibition constant as low as 0.0378 μMol. Root‐mean‐square deviation (RMSD) has been carried out to validate molecular docking studies, which have been found to be below 2.0 Å for the complexes, indicating successful docking of the ligand‐protein complex by the program. The complexes, evaluated for their toxicity behavior in terms of Lethal Dose, based on Globally Harmonized System (GHS), have been found to be chemical safe falling under the category III and V and hence can find use as future metallo‐based drugs.

The Structural Basis of the Activity Cliff in Modafinil-Based Dopamine Transporter Inhibitors.

Modafinil analogs with either a sulfoxide or sulfide moiety have improved binding affinities at the human dopamine transporter (hDAT) compared to modafinil, with lead sulfoxide-substituted analogs showing characteristics of atypical inhibition (e.g., JJC8-091). Interestingly, the only distinction between sulfoxide and sulfide substitution is the presence of one additional oxygen atom. To elucidate why such a subtle difference in ligand structure can result in different typical or atypical profiles, we investigated two pairs of analogs. Our quantum mechanical calculations revealed a more negatively charged distribution of the electrostatic potential surface of the sulfoxide substitution. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrated that sulfoxide-substituted modafinil analogs have a propensity to attract more water into the binding pocket. They also exhibited a tendency to dissociate from Asp79 and form a new interaction with Asp421, consequently promoting an inward-facing conformation of hDAT. In contrast, sulfide-substituted analogs did not display these effects. These findings elucidate the structural basis of the activity cliff observed with modafinil analogs and also enhance our understanding of the functionally relevant conformational spectrum of hDAT.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, biological evaluation studies on 6-methoxy-8-nitroquinolinium picrate: A potent lung cancer drug

The compound 6-Methoxy-8-Nitroquinolinium Picrate was synthesized and characterized using FT-IR, FT-Raman, and UV–Vis spectroscopic techniques. Vibrational wavenumbers were calculated and compared with experimental values, while UV–Vis analysis revealed electronic transitions within the molecule. Frontier molecular orbitals, molecular electrostatic potential surface, Mulliken atomic charge distribution, and Natural bond orbitals analyses confirmed the molecule's bioactivity and validated the intramolecular charge transfer within the molecule. Antibacterial testing exhibited activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, while in vitro cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated higher inhibition of A549 cancer cell lines compared to HeLa cell lines. Molecular docking supported the in vitro cytotoxicity findings, suggesting the potential for developing new lung cancer treatments based on this research.