1-Aryl-3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propan-1-ol esters: synthesis, anti-Candida potential and molecular modeling studies

Synthesis, structure elucidation, and antifungal potential of certain new benzodioxole-imidazole molecular hybrids bearing ester functionalities

Background

The incidence of fungal infections is a growing serious global health burden. There is an urgent medical demand to acquire new antifungal drug-like compounds having azole nuclei to get rid of the drawbacks of the currently available azole antifungal agents.

Methods

The target compounds 5a-r were synthesized in a four-step reaction sequence using the appropriate acetophenone derivative as a starting material. The antifungal potential of the title compounds was assessed using DIZ and MIC assays according to the reported standard procedures.

Results

The newly synthesized oximino esters 5a-r were identified with the aid of various spectroscopic approaches. Their assigned chemical structures were confirmed via single-crystal X-ray structure of compound 5o. The molecular structure of compound 5o was crystallized in the triclinic, P–1, a=9.898 (3) Å, b=10.433 (3) Å, c=11.677 (4) Å, α =86.886 (6)°, β =87.071 (7)°, γ  =64.385 (6)°, V=1,085.2 (6) Å3, Z=2. The synthesized compounds 5a-r were in vitro evaluated for antifungal potential against four fungal strains. Compounds 5l and 5m bearing a trifluoromethylphenyl moiety showed the best anti-Candida albicans activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 0.148 μmol/mL, while compound 5b displayed the best activity toward Candida tropicalis with MIC value of 0.289 μmol/mL. Compounds 5o and 5l were the most active congeners against Candida parapsilosis and Aspergillus niger, respectively.

Conclusion

Single-crystal X-ray analysis of compound 5o confirmed without doubt the assigned chemical structures of the title compounds as well as confirmed the (E)-configuration of their oximino group. Compounds 5b, 5l, 5m, and 5o emerged as the most active compounds against the tested fungi and they could be considered as new antifungal lead candidates.

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Identification of Certain Imidazole-Semicarbazone Conjugates Bearing Benzodioxole Moieties: New Antifungal Agents

During the last three decades the extent of life-threatening fungal infections has increased remarkably worldwide. Synthesis and structure elucidation of certain imidazole-semicarbazone conjugates 5a–o are reported. Single crystal X-ray analysis of compound 5e unequivocally confirmed its assigned chemical structure and the (E)-configuration of its imine double bond. Compound 5e crystallized in the triclinic system, P-1, a = 6.3561 (3) Å, b = 12.5095 (8) Å, c = 14.5411 (9) Å, α = 67.073 (4)°, β = 79.989 (4)°, γ =84.370 (4)°, V = 1048.05 (11) ų, Z = 2. In addition, DIZ and MIC assays were used to examine the in vitro antifungal activity of the title conjugates 5a–o against four fungal strains. Compound 5e, bearing a 4-ethoxyphenyl fragment, showed the best MIC value (0.304 µmol/mL) against both C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis species, while compounds 5c (MIC = 0.311 µmol/mL), 5k, and 5l (MIC = 0.287 µmol/mL) exhibited the best anti-C. albicans activity.

Synthesis, Single Crystal X-ray Structure, DFT Computations, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis and Molecular Docking Simulations on ({[(1E)-1-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propylidene]amino}oxy)(furan-2-yl)methanone: A New Antifungal Agent

The development of drug-resistance and high morbidity rates due to life-threatening fungal infections account for a major global health problem. A new antifungal imidazole-based oximino ester 5 has been prepared and characterized with the aid of different spectroscopic tools. Single crystal X-ray analysis doubtlessly identified the (E)-configuration of the imine fragment of the title compound. Compound 5, C18H15N3O5, was crystallized in the monoclinic, P21/c, a = 10.4067 (5) Å, b = 6.8534 (3) Å, c = 23.2437 (12) Å, β = 94.627 (2)°, V = 1652.37 (14) Å3, Z = 4. Spectral and electronic features of compound 5 have been thoroughly explored with the aid of density function theory (DFT) simulations and the data were compared with the experimental results. In addition, Hirshfeld surface analysis and molecular docking simulations were executed on the target compound. Molecular docking results are fairly consistent with the experimental in vitro antifungal potential of the oximino ester 5.

Synthesis, X-ray Single Crystal Structure, Molecular Docking and DFT Computations on N-[(1E)-1-(2H-1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propylidene]-hydroxylamine: A New Potential Antifungal Agent Precursor

Mycoses are serious health problem, especially in immunocompromised individuals. A new imidazole-bearing compound containing an oxime functionality was synthesized and characterized with different spectroscopic techniques to be used for the preparation of new antifungal agents. The stereochemistry of the oxime double bond was unequivocally determined via the single crystal X-ray technique. The title compound 4, C₁₃H₁₃N₃O₃·C₃H₈O, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁with a = 9.0963(3) Å, b = 14.7244(6) Å, c = 10.7035(4) Å, β = 94.298 (3)°, V = 1429.57(9) ų, Z = 2. The molecules were packed in the crystal structure by eight intermolecular hydrogen bond interactions. A comprehensive spectral analysis of the title molecule 4 has been performed based on the scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field obtained by density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. A molecular docking study illustrated the binding mode of the title compound 4 into its target protein. The preliminary antifungal activity of the title compound 4 was determined using a broth microdilution assay.