Designing, DFT, biological, & molecular docking analysis of new Iron(III) & copper(II) complexes incorporating 1-{[-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)methylene]amino}-5,5-diphenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (PHNS).

The exploration encompassed the synthesis and characterization of two innovative complexes, namely FePHNS and CuPHNS, employing a diverse array of analytical techniques such as elemental analysis, infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, molar conductivity measurements, magnetic susceptibility assessments, and thermal analysis (TGA). In the spectral domain, infrared spectroscopy substantiated the tridentate ONS coordination of the PHNS ligand to the central metal atom. Thermal analysis offered valuable insights into the distribution and content of water molecules within the complexes. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were harnessed to validate the molecular structures of both the PHNS ligand and its complex entities, providing an intricate comprehension of their quantum chemical parameters. The investigation extended to an evaluation of the in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant efficacy of the PHNS ligand and its complexes, revealing heightened biological activities for the complexes in comparison to the free PHNS ligand, notably with the CuPHNS complex demonstrating the highest activity, while the PHNS ligand exhibited the lowest. To delve into potential physiological activities, molecular docking studies were conducted, predicting the binding affinity of the compounds to proteins 2vf5 (Glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase in complex with glucosamine-6-phosphate) from Escherichia coli, 3cku (rate oxidase from Aspergillus flavus complexed with its inhibitor 8-azaxanthin and chloride) from Aspergillus flavus, and 5IJT (Crystal structure of Human Peroxiredoxin 2 Oxidized). The ensuing analysis of protein-ligand interactions and binding energies underscored the promising physiological activities of the investigated compounds, warranting further exploration for their potential in novel drug development.