An unexpected single crystal structure of nickel(II) complex: Spectral, DFT, NLO, magnetic and molecular docking studies

This work explores the study of a synthesized nickel complex as a possible inhibitor against the main protease (Mpro) of the recent emerging coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Overall, the template reaction of 3-acetyl-2-hydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one with nickel(II) chloride hexahydrate in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) medium leads to the formation of neutral nickel complex. This resulting complex is formulated as [Ni(DHA)(2)(DMF)(2)] on the basis of FT-IR, UV-Vis., single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, magnetic susceptibility and CV measurements as well as DFT quantum chemical calculations. Its single crystal suggests was found to be surrounded by the both pairs of molecules of DHA and DMF through six oxygen atoms with octahedral coordination sphere. The obtained magnetic susceptibilities are positive and agree with its paramagnetic state. In addition to the experimental investigations, optimized geometry, spectroscopic and electronic properties were also performed using DFT calculation with B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. The nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of this complex are again examined. Some suitable quantum descriptors (E(HOMO), E(LUMO), Energy gap, Global hardness), Milliken atomic charge, Electrophilic potion and Molecular Electrostatic Potential) have been elegantly described. Molecular docking results demonstrated that the docked nickel complex displayed remarkable binding energy with Mpro. Besides, important molecular properties and ADME pharmacokinetic profiles of possible Mpro inhibitors were assessed by in silico prediction.