Utility of charge-transfer complexation for the assessment of macrocyclic polyethers: Spectroscopic, thermal and surface morphology characteristics of two highly crown ethers complexed with acido acceptors

A Short Review on Structural Concepts of Metal Complexes of Proton Transfer Salts of Pyridine-2-Carboxylic Acid

In this study, a brief review of the proton transfer salts synthesized from the reaction of piperazine with pyridine-2-carboxylic acid and their metal complexes since 2009 was made. The metals in the studied compounds are mostly d-block metals. In complexes, the anionic component of the salt is coordinated to the metal, while the cationic component is present only as a complementary ion in a complex.

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 (μ_e.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.

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.

Charge Transfer Complex between O-Phenylenediamine and 2, 3-Dichloro-5, 6-Dicyano-1, 4-Benzoquinone: Synthesis, Spectrophotometric, Characterization, Computational Analysis, and its Biological Applications

UV-vis electronic absorption spectroscopy was used to investigate the new molecular charge transfer complex (CTC) interaction between electron donor O-phenylenediamine (OPD) and electron acceptor 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ). The CTC solution state analysis was carried out by two different polarities. The stoichiometry of the prepared CTC was determined by using Job's, photometric, and conductometric titration methods and was detemined to be 1:1 in both solvents (at 298 K). The formation constant and molar extinction coefficient were determined by applying the modified (1:1) Benesi-Hildebrand equation. The thermodynamic parameter ΔG° result indicated that the charge transfer reaction was spontaneous.The stability of the synthesized CTC was evaluated by using different spectroscopic parameters like the energy, ionization potential, oscillator strength, resonance energy, dissociation energy, and transition dipole moment. The synthesized solid CTC was characterized by using different analytical methods, including elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, TGA-DTA, and powder X-ray diffraction. The biological evolution of the charge transfer (CT) complex was studied by using DNA binding and antibacterial analysis. The CT complex binding with calf thymus DNA through an intercalative mode was observed from UV-vis spectral study. The CT complex produced a good binding constant value (6.0 × 10⁵ L.mol^-1). The antibacterial activity of the CT complex shows notable activity compared to the standard drug, tetracycline. These results reveal that the CT complex may in future be used as a bioactive drug. The hypothetical DFT estimations of the CT complex supported the experimental studies.

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)

Finding a vaccine or cure for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) responsible for the worldwide pandemic and its economic, medical, and psychological burdens is one of the most pressing issues presently facing the global community. One of the current treatment protocols involves the antibiotic azithromycin (AZM) alone or in combination with other compounds. Obtaining additional insight into the charge-transfer (CT) chemistry of this antibiotic could help researchers and clinicians to improve such treatment protocols. Toward this aim, we investigated the CT interactions between AZM and three π-acceptors: picric acid (PA), chloranilic acid (CLA), and chloranil (CHL) in MeOH solvent. AZM formed colored products at a 1:1 stoichiometry with the acceptors through intermolecular hydrogen bonding. An n → π* interaction was also proposed for the AZM-CHL CT product. The synthesized CT products had markedly different morphologies from the free reactants, exhibiting a semi-crystalline structure composed of spherical particles with diameters ranging from 50 to 90 nm.

Charge Transfer Complex of Neostigmine with 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-Dicyano-1,4-Benzoquinone: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity, and Theoretical Study

BACKGROUND

Electron donor-acceptor interactions are important molecular reactions for the activity of pharmacological compounds. The aim of the study is to develop a charge transfer (CT) complex: synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial activity, and theoretical study.

METHOD AND RESULTS

A solid CT complex of neostigmine (NSG) with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) was synthesized and characterized by infrared spectra, NMR, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The results confirm the formation of a CT complex. The stability of the CT complex between NSG and DDQ in acetonitrile was determined in solution via spectrophotometric measurement, ie, by calculating the formation constant, molar extinction coefficient, and different spectroscopic parameters. The stoichiometry of the formed NSG-DDQ complex was determined using Job's method. The absorption band of the NSG-DDQ complex can be used for the quantification of NSG.

CONCLUSION

The DFT geometry optimization of NSG, DDQ, and the CT complex and the UV comparative study of both theoretical and experimental structures are presented. The experimental results confirm the charge transfer structure. The bacterial study shows that the NSG-DDQ complex has good antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as antifungal activity against Candida albicans.