Molecular orbital calculations for parabens: a possible mechanism of action.

Molecular orbital calculations were carried out on the series benzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, methylparaben, and ethylparaben. The characteristic trends of this entire series of preservatives are demonstrated by these members. The computer program used was Iterated Extended Hückel Theory. These systems were characterized in terms of atomic charge distributions, effect of hydroxyl and ester groups (both sterically and electronically), preferred molecular conformations, and distinguishing features of molecular orbitals. Through this approach, it was hoped that a common mode of action for all members of this series could be detected and that the trend(s) in this feature would correlate with known trends in activity of members of this series.