Interplay of noncovalent interactions in antiseptic quaternary ammonium surfactant Miramistin

Structural Significance of Hydrophobic and Hydrogen Bonding Interaction for Nanoscale Hybridization of Antiseptic Miramistin Molecules with Molybdenum Disulfide Monolayers

This paper reports an easy route to immobilize the antiseptic drug miramistin (MR) molecules between the sheets of molybdenum disulfide, known for excellent photothermal properties. Two hybrid layered compounds (LCs) with regularly alternating monolayers of MR and MoS₂, differing in thickness of organic layer are prepared and studied by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), density functional theory (DFT) calculations and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) topological analysis. The obtained structural models elucidate the noncovalent interaction network of MR molecules confined in the two-dimensional spacing surrounded by sulfide sheets. It emerged that the characteristic folded geometry of MR molecule previously evidenced for pure miramistin is preserved in the hybrid structures. Quantification of the energetics of bonding interactions unveils that the most important contribution to structure stabilization of both compounds is provided by the weak but numerous CH…S bonding contacts. They are accompanied by the intra- and inter-molecular interactions within the MR layers, with dominating bonding effect of intermolecular hydrophobic interaction. The results obtained in the models provide a comprehensive understanding of the driving forces controlling the assembly of MR and MoS₂ and may lead towards the development of novel promising MoS₂-based photothermal therapeutic agents.

Novel peroxosolvates of tetraalkylammonium halides: the first case of layers containing hydrogen-bonded peroxide molecules

The structures of Et4N+Cl−·2(H2O2) and Et4N+Br−·2(H2O2) formed by globose Et4N+ cations are the first examples of peroxosolvates with 2D layers containing H-bonded peroxides.

Halogen bonding in crystals of free 1,2-diiodo-ethene (C2H2I2) and its π-complex [CpMn(CO)2](π-C2H2I2)

1,2-trans-diiodo-ethene (C2H2I2) – is an overlooked halogen bond donor, which demonstrate the distinct similarity of the geometry and directionality of I···I halogen bonds around the iodine atoms in its native and CpMn(CO)2(C2H2I2) π-complex crystals. Distortion of the planar geometry of C2H2I2 upon the π-coordination result the distortion of the native planar layered geometry of C2H2I2, so that [CpMn(CO)2](π-C2H2I2) features more complex I···I XB assisted 3D network. Unusual structural parallels between the native C2H2I2 crystals and solid iodine are discussed.

Cationic Antiseptics Facilitate Pore Formation in Model Bacterial Membranes

Antiseptics are an essential line of defense against bacterial and viral infections in modern medical practice. Many of them are supposed to act on microbial membranes. However, the detailed mechanisms of their action are still elusive. Here, we utilized coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to investigate interactions of different types of cationic antiseptics (CAs) with a model bacterial membrane. The simulations revealed qualitatively distinct patterns of dynamic and structural alterations of membrane induced by different types of antiseptics although none of them caused disintegration or solubilization of the bilayer even at the highest explored concentration. At the same time, the adsorption of antiseptics rendered membranes more vulnerable to poration under exposure to the external electric field. We further discuss the possible relation of the enhanced pore formation induced by CAs to their cytotoxic action.