Charge-transfer chemistry of azithromycin, the antibiotic used worldwide to treat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Part II: Complexation with several π-acceptors (PA, CLA, CHL)

Charge-transfer chemistry of two corticosteroids used adjunctively to treat COVID-19. Part II: The CT reaction of hydrocortisone and dexamethasone donors with TCNQ and fluoranil acceptors in five organic solvents

Hydrocortisone (termed as D1) and dexamethasone (termed as D2) are corticosteroids currently used to treat COVID-19. COVID-19 is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Exploring additional chemical properties of drugs used in the treatment protocols for COVID-19 could help scientists alike improve these treatment protocols and potentially even the vaccines (i.e., Janssen, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech). In this work, the charge-transfer (CT) properties of these two corticosteroids (D1 and D2) with two universal acceptors: 7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (termed as TCNQ) and fluoranil (termed as TFQ) in five different solvents were investigated. The examined solvents were MeOH, EtOH, MeCN, CH2Cl2, and CHCl3. The CT interactions formed stable corticosteroid CT complexes in all examined solvents. Several spectroscopic parameters were derived, and the oscillator strength (f) and transition dipole moment (μe.g. ) values revealed that the interaction between the investigated corticosteroids with TCNQ acceptor is much stronger than their interaction with TFQ acceptor. The CT interactions were proposed to process via n → π* transition.

Interligand Charge-Transfer Processes in Zinc Complexes

Electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complexes are characterized by charge-transfer (CT) processes between electron-rich and electron-poor counterparts, typically resulting in a new absorption band at a higher wavelength. In this paper, we report a series of novel 2,6-di(imino)pyridine ligands with different electron-rich aromatic substituents and their 1:2 (metal/ligand) complexes with zinc(II) in which the formation of a CT species is promoted by the metal ion coordination. The absorption properties of these complexes were studied, showing the presence of a CT absorption band only in the case of aromatic substituents with donor groups. The nature of EDA interaction was confirmed by crystallographic studies, which disclose the electron-poor and electron-rich moieties involved in the CT process. These moieties mutually belong to both the ligands and are forced into a favorable spatial arrangement by the coordinative preferences of the metal ion.

Charge-transfer chemistry of two corticosteroids used adjunctively to treat COVID-19. Part I: Complexation of hydrocortisone and dexamethasone donors with DDQ acceptor in five organic solvents

COVID-19 is the disease caused by a novel coronavirus (CoV) named the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (termed SARS coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2). Since the first case reported in December 2019, infections caused by this novel virus have led to a continuous global pandemic that has placed an unprecedented burden on health, economic, and social systems worldwide. In response, multiple therapeutic options have been developed to stop this pandemic. One of these options is based on traditional corticosteroids, however, chemical modifications to enhance their efficacy remain largely unexplored. Obtaining additional insight into the chemical and physical properties of pharmacologically effective drugs used to combat COVID-19 will help physicians and researchers alike to improve current treatments and vaccines (i.e., Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Janssen). Herein, we examined the charge-transfer properties of two corticosteroids used as adjunctive therapies in the treatment of COVID-19, hydrocortisone and dexamethasone, as donors with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone as an acceptor in various solvents. We found that the examined donors reacted strongly with the acceptor in CH2Cl2 and CHCl3 solvents to create stable compounds with novel clinical potential.

Quinine Charge Transfer Complexes with 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-benzoquinone and 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane: Spectroscopic Characterization and Theoretical Study

The molecular charge transfer reactions of quinine (Q) with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) and 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) as a p-acceptor to form charge transfer (CT) complexes have been studied. The CT complexes were characterized by infrared spectra, NMR, mass spectrometry, conductometry and spectrometry. The Q-DDQ and Q-TCNQ charge transfer complexes were monitored at 480 and 843 nm, respectively. The results confirm the formation of CT complexes. The molar ratio of Q:DDQ and Q: TCNQ assessed using Job’s method was 1:1, which agrees with the results obtained by the Benesi-Hildebrand equation. The stability of the formed CT complexes was assessed by measuring different spectroscopic parameters such as oscillator strength, transition dipole moment, ionization potential, the energy of CT complex, resonance energy, dissociation energy and standard free energy change. The DFT geometry optimization of quinine, DDQ and TCNQ, its charge transfer complex, and UV theoretical vs. experimental comparative study were carried out. The theoretical and experimental results agreed. DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory was used for the investigation of charge transfer between quinine as electron donor and (DDQ and TNCQ) as electron acceptors. The geometric structures, orbital energies, HOMO, LUMO and energy gaps were determined. The transition energies of the charge transfer complexes were computed using the TD-DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The computed parameters were comparable to the experimental parameters, and the computational results aided in the analysis of the data.

Charge-transfer complexation of TCNE with azithromycin, the antibiotic used worldwide to treat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Part IV: A comparison between solid and liquid interactions

Finding a cure or vaccine for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the most pressing issue facing the world in 2020 and 2021. One of the more promising current treatment protocols is based on the antibiotic azithromycin (AZM) alone or in combination with other drugs (e.g., chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine). We believe gaining new insight into the charge-transfer (CT) chemistry of this antibiotic will help researchers and physicians alike to improve these treatment protocols. Therefore, in this work, we examine the CT interaction between AZM (donor) and tetracyanoethylene (TCNE, acceptor) in either solid or liquid forms. We found that, for both phases of starting materials, AZM reacted strongly with TCNE to produce a colored, stable complex with 1:2 AZM to TCNE stoichiometry via a n → π* transition (AZM → TCNE). Even though both methodologies yielded the same product, we recommend the solid-solid interaction since it is more straightforward, environmentally friendly, and cost- and time-effective.

Development of UV-visible spectrophotometric methods for the quantitative and in silico studies for cilazapril optimized by response surface methodology

For cilazapril (CLZ), analytical methods based on donor-acceptor phenomenon that are simple, rapid with broad linear dynamic range for the quantification of drug are not available in the literature. Considering the requirement for the methods, in this study, two economic, potent analytical methods based on the complexation of CLZ with π-acceptors, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) and 2,5-dichloro-3,6-dihydroxy-p-benzoquinone (CA) were developed, validated, and studied spectrophotometrically. Various analytical data were discussed. The effects of experimental variables were optimized from the results of in silico technique, i.e. Box-Behnken design under response surface methodology. Linear dynamic range was significantly good in the range of 6-60 µg mL^-1 and 20-260 µg mL^-1 for DDQ and CA methods. Moreover, molecular docking studies corroborated the experimental results. Further, the methods were supplemented by the pharmaceutical and biological application for the quantitative assay of CLZ. Collectively, the results of the reported method of the analysis suggest that the developed approach is simple, sensitive, accurate and precise.

Charge-transfer chemistry of azithromycin, the antibiotic used worldwide to treat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Part III: A green protocol for facile synthesis of complexes with TCNQ, DDQ, and TFQ acceptors

Investigating the chemical properties of molecules used to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is of vital and pressing importance. In continuation of works aimed to explore the charge-transfer chemistry of azithromycin, the antibiotic used worldwide to treat COVID-19, the disease resulting from infection with the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, in this work, a highly efficient, simple, clean, and eco-friendly protocol was used for the facile synthesis of charge-transfer complexes (CTCs) containing azithromycin and three π-acceptors: 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ), and tetrafluoro-1,4-benzoquinone (TFQ). This protocol involves grinding bulk azithromycin as the donor (D) with the investigated acceptors at a 1:1 M ratio at room temperature without any solvent. We found that this protocol is environmentally benign, avoids hazardous organic solvents, and generates the desired CTCs with excellent yield (92-95%) in a straightforward means.