New (2Z)-1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-2-[(2E)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-ylidene]hydrazine and its V(II) and Ni(II) complexes: synthesis, characterization and in silico sars-CoV-2 inhibition studies

Abstract

Hydrazones are an important family of compounds with an azomethine proton (-NHN=CH-), which have been reported to possess high biological activity such as antioxidants, anti-consultants, analgesics, antimicrobial, anti-protozoals, anti-parasitic, anti-platelets, cardio-protective, anti-diabetic, anti-HIV and anti-helminthic. This research was aimed at synthesizing a new aniline hydrazone and its V(II) and Ni(II) complexes, and in silico SARS-CoV-2 inhibition studies. The (2Z)-1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-2-[(2E)-3-(2-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-ylidene]hydrazine (DNEAA) was synthesized by the reaction of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine and 3-(2-nitrophenyl)prop-2-enal. DNEAA and its V(II) and Ni(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by UV-visible, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy. Molecular docking was performed using Auto Dock Vina software. Spectroscopic analysis suggested that DNEAA coordinated with the metal ions through azomethine nitrogen, NH, two NO₂ and two Cl^-. An octahedral geometry was proposed for the metal complexes. The ability of DNEAA to chelate V(II) and Ni(II) is hereby assured. Molecular docking results gave binding energies >9.5 kcal/mol. Following these findings, it is recommended that biological studies and preclinical and clinical trials against SARS-CoV-2 protease be carried out.

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2025, 39(4), 673-686.                                                        

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v39i4.6