Charge-transfer interactions between antibiotics and small organic acids: Spectroscopic characterization and computational investigation

Abstract

Six new charge-transfer complexes using ofloxacin (OFL) and sulfamethazine (SMR) as electron donors and coumaric acid (COA), cinnamic acid (CNA), and salicylic acid (SAA) as acceptors via equimolar mixture have been synthesized. The experiment used UV–vis spectroscopy to determine the formation of the complex in methanol through the presence of a new broad absorption band with a maximum wavelength in the 200–400 nm range. The molecular composition of the charge-transfer complexes was determined by the spectrophotometric titration method and found to be 1:1 (donor: acceptor). These complexes have been characterized by infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the FTIR spectra, the CT complexes showed a wavelength shift compared to the reactants. The complexes exhibited various morphologies by SEM, including spherical particles, short rods, and flattened shapes. Additionally, quantum chemical calculations at the DFT/B3LYP level of theory investigated the complexes’ steady-state structures, energies, and charge densities. The intermolecular binding energies was negative, indicating that the reactions of the six complexes proceeded spontaneously. There was strong van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds between the donor and acceptor, which contributed to the complexes’ strong molecular stability. The C–N and N–H groups in the donor molecule, and the -COOH group in the acceptor molecule, played key roles in the complexation process. DFT calculation results were appropriate to support our experimental results. This study highlights the molecular mechanisms of donor and acceptor action in charge-transfer interactions, providing a theoretical basis for the synthesis of antibiotic complexes and the removal of antibiotics.