Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and DFT calculations of N-Methyl-2-(2ʹ-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole derivatives

Unusual Ni⋯Ni interaction in Ni(ii) complexes as potential inhibitors for the development of new anti-SARS-CoV-2 Omicron drugs

Two nickel(ii) coordination complexes [Ni(L)]2(1) and [Ni(L)]n(2) of a tetradentate Schiff base ligand (H2L) derived from 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with ethylenediamine were synthesized, designed, and characterized via spectroscopic and single crystal XRD analyses. Both nickel(ii) complexes exhibited unusual Ni⋯Ni interactions and were fully characterized via single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Nickel(ii) complexes [Ni(L)]2(1) and [Ni(L)]n(2) crystallize in monoclinic and triclinic crystal systems with P21/c and P1̄ space groups, respectively, and revealed square planar geometry around each Ni(ii) ion. The structure of both the complexes have established the existence of a new kind of metal system containing nickel(ii)-nickel(ii) interactions with a square planar-like geometry about the nickel(ii) atoms. Both square planar Ni(ii) complexes were often stacked with relatively short Ni⋯Ni distances. The non-bonded Ni-Ni distance (Ni⋯Ni separation) seems to be 3.356 Å and 3.214 Å from the nickel atoms of [Ni(L)]2(1) and [Ni(L)]n(2), respectively. These distances are shorter than the sum of their van der Waals radii (4.80 Å) but longer than the sum of their covalent radii (2.50 Å), indicating that there is a Ni⋯Ni interaction but not a Ni-Ni bond. The discrete molecules are π-stacked and connected via weak intermolecular interactions (C-H⋯O and C-H⋯N). Cyclic voltammetry measurements were obtained for both the complexes, and their pharmacokinetic and chemoinformatics properties were also explored. Detailed structural analysis and non-covalent supramolecular interactions were investigated using single-crystal structure analysis and computational approaches. Both the unique structures show good inhibition performance for the Omicron spike proteins of the SARS CoV-2 virus. To gain insights into potential SARS-CoV-2 Omicron drugs and find inhibitors against the Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2, we examined the molecular docking of the nickel(ii) complexes [Ni(L)]2(1) and [Ni(L)]n(2) with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike protein (PDB ID: 7WK2 and 7WVO). A strong binding was predicted between Ni(ii) coordination complexes [Ni(L)]2(1) and [Ni(L)]n(2) with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant receptor protein through the negative value of binding affinity. Molecular docking of Nil(ii) complexes [Ni(L)]2(1) and [Ni(L)]n(2) with a DNA duplex (PDB ID: 7D3T) and RNA (PDB ID: 7TDC) binding protein was also studied. Overall, this study suggests that Ni(ii) complexes can be considered as drug candidates against the Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2.

Heterojunction solar cell based on donor-acceptor pi-conjugated naphthalene bisbenzimidazole, perylene bisbenzimidazole, and naphthalene imidazole: A spectroscopic, microscopic and DFT assessment

This study represents detailed vibrational analysis of naphthalene bisbenzimidazole (NBBI), perylene bisbenzimidazole (PBBI), and naphthalene imidazole (NI) by vibrational spectroscopic (Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and Raman), Atomic Force Microscopic (AFM) and quantum chemical studies for the first time. These sorts of compounds provide an opportunity to build potential n-type organic thin film phototransistors which can be used as organic semiconductors. Optimized molecular structures and vibrational wavenumbers of these molecules in their ground states have been calculated by Density Functional Theory (DFT) using B3LYP functional with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. Finally, theoretical UV-Visible spectrum was predicted and Light Harvesting Efficiencies (LHE) were evaluated. AFM analysis revealed that PBBI has the highest surface roughness thus exhibits an increase in high Jsc value and high conversion efficiency.

Two Cu(ii)-triadimenol complexes as potential fungicides: synergistic actions and DFT calculations

Two Cu(ii) complexes, namely, [CuL₄(H₂O)₂]·2NO₃·2CH₃OH 1 and [CuL₂(CH₃COO)₂] 2, (L = (1S,2R)-1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol, triadimenol, a commercial 1,2,4-triazole pesticide) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV-Vis spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal structural analysis shows that the different types of salts (copper acetate is covalent, while copper nitrate is ionic) contribute to different crystal structures: complex 1 consists of one copper cation, four ligands, two coordinated water molecules, two free nitrate anions and two uncoordinated methanol molecules. Complex 2 is composed of one copper cation, two ligands and two acetate anions, without free molecules. The two complexes and the ligand triadimenol were also screened for antifungal activities against four selected fungi. The antifungal results reveal that both the complexes show better bioactivities in comparison with L, and that complex 1 has higher bioactivities than complex 2. To elaborate the reasons of the enhanced bioactivities after complexation, the interaction levels between Cu²⁺ cation and triadimenol, as well as the density functional theory (DFT) method were carried out. The results indicate that three factors made the antifungal activities stronger after forming Cu(ii) complexes: new active site of copper cation, synergic interactions between Cu²⁺ cation and L, and improved penetration of the metal complexes into the lipid membranes.

Two Cu(ii) complexes of triadimenol show greater antifungal activities than the ligand triadimenol. Moreover, the synergistic interactions and DFT calculations were both carried out to elucidate the reasons for the enhanced bioactivities.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel long-alkyl-chain ester-substituted benzimidazole gelator and its octan-1-ol solvate

The synthesis of a novel benzimidazole derivative with a long-chain-ester substituent, namely methyl 8-[4-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenoxy]octanoate, (3), is reported. Ester (3) shows evidence of aggregation in solution and weak gelation ability with toluene. The octan-1-ol solvate, methyl 8-[4-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenoxy]octanoate octan-1-ol monosolvate, C₂₂H₂₆N₂O₃·C₈H₁₈O, (4), exhibits a four-molecule hydrogen-bonded motif in the solid state, with N-H...O hydrogen bonds between benzimidazole molecules and O-H...N hydrogen bonds between the octan-1-ol solvent molecules and the benzimidazole unit. The alkyl chains of the ester and the octan-1-ol molecules are in unfolded conformations. The phenylene ring is canted by 10.27 (6)° from the plane of the benzimidazole ring system. H...C contacts make up 20.7% of the Hirshfeld surface coverage. Weak C-H...π interactions involving the benzimidazole alkyl chain and three aromatic rings are observed.