Molecular structure and quantum descriptors of cefradine by using vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman), NBO, AIM, chemical reactivity and molecular docking.

This study aims to investigate the structural and vibrational features of cefradine (the first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic) based on spectroscopic experiments and theoretical quantum chemical approach. The fundamental structural aspects of cefradine have been examined based on optimized geometry, spectroscopic behavior, intermolecular interaction, chemical reactivity, intramolecular hydrogen bonding, and molecular docking analysis. The most stable minimum energy conformer of the title molecule was identified by performing a one-dimensional potential energy surface scan along the rotational bonds at B3LYP/6-311++G (d,p) level of theory. The vibrational features of the molecule and information about the coupled modes were predicted. The chemical reactivity and stability of all the possible conformers of cefradine were estimated based on the HOMO-LUMO energy gap and NBO approach. The overall picture of accumulation of charges on individual atoms of the molecule was predicted by molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface map which in turn identifies the nucleophilic and electrophilic region or sites. The quantitative analysis of electrophilicity and nucleophilicity indices was done by Hirshfeld charge analysis and it was found that N8 atom is the most prominent site for nucleophilic attack while C14 atom is feasible for electrophilic attack. QTAIM study has also been performed to investigate the nature and strength of hydrogen bonding interactions. Besides, molecular docking studies were performed to examine the active binding residues of the target.