Chracterization of the complexation between indium(III) and zirocnium(IV) ions with the drug procaine: Spectral analysis, thermal properties, and microscopic imaging

Abstract

This paper investigates the complexation behavior of the drug procaine towards forming stable metal-based complexes. The study examines the chemical reaction between procaine (PC) and two metal ions (In³⁺ and Zr⁴⁺). Controlling the temperature at 70 °C, the pH at approximately 8.5, and the stoichiometry at 1:3 for In³⁺ ion and 1:2 for Zr⁴⁺ ion, the reaction generated white, stable PC-In and PC-Zr complexes. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the structural, compositional, morphological, and thermal properties of the formed metal-procaine complexes, a variety of physicochemical techniques were employed to thoroughly characterize the synthesized complexes, including CHN elemental analysis, conductivity, ultraviolet/visible and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies, powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetry. The study reveals that the manufactured complexes of In³⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ can be represented by the formulae [In(PC)₃(H₂O)₃].Cl₃ and [ZrO(PC)₂(H₂O)₂].Cl₂.4H₂O, respectively. These formulas correspond to the overall compositions of C₃₉H₆₆N₆Cl₃O₉In, and C₂₆H₅₂N₄Cl₂O₁₁Zr, respectively. The high-quality and well-focused TEM images demonstrate that the complexes possessed a uniform and well-structured morphology. The investigation of the complexation behavior of procaine with In³⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ ions provide valuable insights into the formation and properties of these stable complexes, which can have potential applications in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.

KEY WORDS: Drug procaine, Metal ion, Spectral analysis, Thermal decomposition, TEM

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2025, 39(6), 1083-1094.                                                       

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v39i6.5