The ability of the indole–imidazole hybrid ligands to coordinate with the Zn(II) ion and the resulting structures of this new class of coordination compounds were analyzed in order to determine their structural properties and biological functionalities. For this purpose, six novel Zn(II) complexes, [Zn(InIm)2Cl2] (1), [Zn(InMeIm)2Cl2] (2), [Zn(IniPrIm)2Cl2] (3), [Zn(InEtMeIm)2Cl2] (4), [Zn(InPhIm)2Cl2] (5) and [Zn2(InBzIm)2Cl2] (6) (where InIm is 3-((1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-1H-indole), were synthesized by the reactions of ZnCl2 and the corresponding ligand in a 1:2 molar ratio in methanol solvent at an ambient temperature. The structural and spectral characterization of these complexes was performed using NMR, FT–IR and ESI–MS spectrometry and elemental analysis, and the crystal structures of 1–5 were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1–5 form polar supramolecular aggregates by utilizing, for this purpose, the N-H(indole)∙∙∙Cl(chloride) intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The assemblies thus formed differ depending on the distinctive molecular shape, which can be either compact or extended. All complexes were screened for their hemolytic, cytoprotective, antifungal, and antibacterial activities. The results show that the cytoprotective activity of the indole/imidazole ligand significantly increases upon its complexation with ZnCl2 up to a value comparable with the standard antioxidant Trolox, while the response of its substituted analogues is diverse and less pronounced.
In the search for new bioactive compounds, a methodology based on combining two molecules with biological properties into a new hybrid molecule was used to design and synthesize of a series of ten indole derivatives bearing imidazole, benzothiazole-2-thione, or benzoxazole-2-thione moieties at the C-3 position. The compounds were spectroscopically characterized and tested for their antioxidant, antibacterial, and fungicidal activities. The crystal structures were determined for five of them. Comparison of the closely related structures containing either benzothiazole-2-thione or benzoxazole-2-thione clearly shows that the replacement of -S- and -O- ring atoms modify molecular conformation in the crystal, changes intermolecular interactions, and has a severe impact on biological activity. The results indicate that indole-imidazole derivatives with alkyl substituent exhibit an excellent cytoprotective effect against AAPH-induced oxidative hemolysis and act as effective ferrous ion chelating agents. The indole-imidazole compound with chlorine atoms inhibited the growth of fungal strains: Coriolus versicolor (Cv), Poria placenta (Pp), Coniophora puteana (Cp), and Gloeophyllum trabeum (Gt). The indole-imidazole derivatives showed the highest antibacterial activity, for which the largest growth-inhibition zones were noted in M. luteus and P. fluorescens cultures. The obtained results may be helpful in the development of selective indole derivatives as effective antioxidants and/or antimicrobial agents.
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