DFT Study on the Electronic Properties, Spectroscopic Profile, and Biological Activity of 2-Amino-5-trifluoromethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole with Anticancer Properties

M. Abdelbaky M, Garcia-Granda S, Maurya A, Pal M, Siddiqui Z, Shukla R, Pathak SK, Srivastava R, Shukla VK, Prasad O, Sinha L. Structural Characterization, Spectroscopic Profile, Molecular Docking, ADMET Properties, Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies, and Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area Analysis of 5-(Adamantan-1-yl)-4-butyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione as a Potential COX Inhibitor

Employing a synergistic combination of theoretical density functional theory (DFT) and experimental techniques, we conducted a comprehensive analysis elucidating the structural and pharmacological attributes of 5-(adamantan-1-yl)-4-butyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione (5A4BT) as a potent COX inhibitor. The X-ray crystallographic data of 5A4BT showed the pivotal role played by weak interactions, notably π-π and C-H-π interactions, alongside hydrogen bonding, in orchestrating the intricate supramolecular architectures within the crystalline lattice. A quantitative analysis of the arrangement of the crystal structure, as well as both inter- and intramolecular interactions, was conducted using Hirshfeld surfaces and 2D fingerprint plots. Additionally, a comprehensive examination of the IR spectra was undertaken, employing both experimental methods and theoretical DFT techniques, to elucidate the vibrational characteristics of the compound. The strength of intermolecular N-H···S hydrogen bonding and charge transfer within the system was assessed through natural bonding orbital analysis. Moreover, Bader's atoms in molecules theory was employed to estimate the strength of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, revealing strong interactions within the 5A4BT dimer. The title compound exhibited binding affinities of -6.4 and -6.5 kcal/mol for COX1 (PDB 3KK6) and COX2 (1CX2) target proteins, respectively. For the first time, predictions regarding ADMET properties, drug-likeness, and toxicity, including favorable bioavailability, along with 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations, binding free energy, and energy decomposition per residue in the binding cavity of the protein from molecular mechanics generalized born surface area approach, collectively indicate the potential of 5A4BT as a nonselective COX inhibitor.

Adsorption of Methylene Blue Dye and Analysis of Two Clays: A Study of Kinetics, Thermodynamics, and Modeling with DFT, MD, and MC Simulations

The purpose of this research was to learn more about the primary and secondary properties of Moroccan natural clay in an effort to better investigate innovative adsorbents and gain access to an ideal adsorption system. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (SEM-EDX) and X-ray fluorescence were employed for identification. SEM revealed clay grains, including tiny particles and unevenly shaped sticks. First- and second-order rate laws, representing two distinct kinetic models, were applied in the kinetic approach. Adsorption of dye MB onto natural clay was studied, and the results agreed with the 2 s order model. The significant correlation coefficients support the inference that the adsorption process was governed by the Langmuir model. Subsequent DFT analyses demonstrated that the methylene blue dye's HOMO and LUMO surfaces are dispersed across most of the dye's components, pointing to a strong interaction with the clay. To determine how the dye might be adsorbed onto the clay, we employed quantum descriptors to locate its most nucleophilic and electrophilic centers. Endothermic reactions are evident during the MB adsorption process on clay, as indicated by the positive values of ΔH0 and ΔS0 (70.49 kJ mol-1of RC and 84.19 kJ mol-1 of OC and 10.45 J mol-1 K-1 of RC and 12.68 mol-1 K-1 of OC, respectively). Additionally dye molecules on the adsorbent exhibit a higher order of distribution than in the solution, indicating that the adsorption process is spontaneous.

Synthesis, Spectroscopic and Nonlinear Optical Properties, and Antimicrobial Activity of Cu(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) Complexes: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

Currently, we report the preparation of transition metal complexes Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) of hydrazone Schiff base ligands, which are obtained by the condensation reaction of substituted salicylaldehyde and hydrazines. The synthesized hydrazone ligands and their metal complexes were characterized by spectroscopic methods such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV-vis, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR and C13 NMR), and mass spectrometry analyses. All of the quantum chemistry calculations were performed using DFT executed in the Gaussian 09 software package. The geometry was optimized by using the density functional theory (DFT) approximation at the B3LYP level with a basis set of 6-31G (d, p). There was excellent agreement between the FT-IR values obtained experimentally and those obtained theoretically for the test compounds. It is worth noting that none of the optimized geometries for any of the Schiff base and metal complexes had any eigenvalues that were negative, indicating that these geometries represent the true minimum feasible energy surfaces. We also analyzed the electrostatic potential of the molecule and NBO calculation at the same level of theory. Gauss View 6 was utilized for the file organization of the input data. Gauss View 6.0, Avogadro, and Chemcraft were used to determine the data. Additionally, synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus halodurans, Micrococcus luteus) and two fungal strains (Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger). These research findings have established the potential of ligands and their metal complexes as antimicrobial agents. Additionally, the compounds demonstrated promising nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, with potential applications across a wide range of contemporary technologies.

A DFT and QTAIM insight into ethylene oxide adsorption on the surfaces of pure and metal-decorated inorganic fullerene-like nanoclusters

In this industrial era, the use of low-dimensional nanomaterials as gas sensors for environmental monitoring has received enormous interest. To develop an effective sensing method for ethylene oxide (EO), DFT computations are conducted using method ωB97X-D and B3LYP with 6-31G(d,p) basis set to evaluate the adsorption behavior of ethylene oxide gas on the surfaces of pristine, as well as Scandium and Titanium decorated B12N12, Al12N12, and Al12P12 nanocages. Several properties like structural, physical, and electronic are studied methodically to better understand the sensing behavior. Scandium-decorated aluminum phosphate and boron nitride nanocages were shown to perform better in terms of adsorption properties. The short recovery time observed in this study is beneficial for the repetitive use of the gas sensor. The Natural Bond Orbital and molecular electrostatic potential analysis demonstrated a substantial quantity of charge transfer from adsorbate to adsorbents. The bandgap alternation after adsorption shows an influence of adsorption on electronic properties. The interactions of adsorbate and adsorbents are further studied using the ultraviolet-visible predicted spectrum, and quantum theory of atoms in molecules all of which yielded promising findings.

Enhanced therapeutic efficacy of Piperlongumine for cancer treatment using nano-liposomes mediated delivery

Piperlongumine (PL) is a well-known bioactive alkaloid that has been reported as a potent anticancer molecule but has failed to provide potential activity in translational and clinical applications due to some drawbacks like low bioavailability, hydrophobicity, and rapid degradation. However, nano-formulation is a good choice to increase the bioavailability and enhance cellular uptake of PL. In this study, PL loaded nano-liposomes (NPL) were formulated using the thin-film hydration method and analyzed by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in order to treat cervical cancer. The NPL were thoroughly characterized using particle size, PDI, zeta potential, drug loading capacity, encapsulation efficiency, SEM, AFM and FTIR. Different assays viz. MTT, AO/PI, DAPI, MMP, cell migration, DCFDA and apoptotic assay using Annexin V-FITC/PI were performed for anticancer potential of NPL in human cervical carcinoma cells (SiHa and HeLa). NPL showed enhanced cytotoxicity, diminished cell proliferation, reduced cell viability, enhanced nuclear condensation, reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited cell migration, increased ROS level and promoted more apoptosis in both human cervical cancer cell lines. These findings demonstrated that NPL may be a potential therapeutic option for cervical cancer.

Synthesis and Theoretical Studies of Biologically Active Thieno Nucleus Incorporated Tri and Tetracyclic Nitrogen Containing Heterocyclics Scaffolds via Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reaction

A new series of thieno nucleus embellished trinuclear (19, 20) and tetranuclear (21-24) nitrogen heteroaryl have been synthesized by the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction using bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) dichloride. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, ¹ H-NMR, ¹³ CNMR and Mass spectral properties. In vitro antibacterial studies of the synthesized compound were conducted using broth microdilution assay employing Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀ ) was determined. The result showed that compound 20 possess best antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli with IC₅₀ values of 60 μg mL^-1 and 90 μg mL^-1 . Further to determine the mode of antibacterial action, compounds 20 and 21 were examined for in vitro bacterial dehydrogenase inhibitory assay. To understand the binding affinity of the synthesized compounds, the docking study was performed in the bacterial dehydrogenase enzyme by AutoDock Vina software and structure was confirmed by Discovery Studio Visualizer. All the synthesized compounds were docked in a good manner within the active sites of the bacterial dehydrogenase enzyme and exhibited good binding energies.

A novel series of pyrazole derivatives toward biological applications: experimental and conceptual DFT characterization

A new series of 13 pyrazole-derivative compounds with potential antifungal activity were synthetized with good yields. The series have the (E)-2-((1-(R)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)diazenyl)phenol general structure and were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis, FTIR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and two-dimensional NMR experiments. This experimental characterization was complemented by DFT simulations. A deep insight regarding molecular reactivity was accomplished employing a conceptual DFT approach. In this sense, dual descriptors were calculated at HF and DFT level of theory and GGV spin-density Fukui functions. The main reactive region within the molecules was mapped through isosurface and condensed representations. Finally, chemical descriptors that have previously shown to be close related to biological activity were compared within the series. Thus, higher values of chemical potential ω and electrophilicity χ obtained for compounds 10, 9, 8, 6 and 7, in this order, suggest that these molecules are the better candidates as biological agents.

Synthesis and photophysical properties of benzoxazolyl-imidazole and benzothiazolyl-imidazole conjugates

Materials that have higher fluorescence emission in the solid state than molecules in solution have recently been paid more attention by the scientific community due to their potential applications in various fields. In this work, we newly synthesized benzoxazolyl-imidazole and benzothiazolyl-imidazole conjugates, which show aggregation-induced emission (AIE) features in their solid and aggregate states. It was found that oxygen and sulfur substitutions can dramatically influence the molecular structures and polarities of the dyes, leading to different degrees of the AIE phenomenon. The benzothiazolyl-imidazole molecule has lower polarity compared to that of benzoxazolyl-imidazole; therefore, the dye bearing a benzothiazolyl group shows higher emission intensity and dual emission in aqueous solution. Theoretical calculation results suggest that the benzothiazolyl-imidazole molecules might have electrostatic interactions between sulfur and nitrogen atoms, explaining the experimental observations of lower critical aggregation concentration and photophysical properties both in solution and in the solid state. The theoretical calculations agree with the experimental data, thus demonstrating a potent strategy to gain a deep understanding of the structure–property relationships to design solid-state fluorescent materials.

The effect of heteroatoms on the structural and photophysical properties of donor-π-acceptor molecules, comprising imidazole and benzoxazolyl as well as imidazole and benzothiazolyl units, was investigated.