Synthesis, Characterization and Conformational Analysis of Two Novel 4(1H)‑Quinolinones

Quinolinones are a class of organic compounds known as alkaloids found in several plants and also can be synthesized. Their large use in therapies regards their wide biological potential like antitumor, psychiatric and neurological agents. Two substances were structurally characterized: (E)-3-(2-nitrobenzylidene)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-2,3-dihydroquinolin-4(1H)‑one (NMQ), and (E)-3-(2-chlorobenzylidene)-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-2,3‑dihydroquinolin-4(1H)-one (CMQ). These compounds were synthesized, crystallized, characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and theoretical calculations. The NMQ and CMQ crystals are formed by a pair of enantiomers and crystallized in the centrosymmetric group P21/c with similar volume and density. Differences noted on crystal packing and supramolecular arrangement are associated to substituent group chlorine in CMQ and nitro in NMQ. The calculated infrared (IR) spectra show a good agreement with experimental values. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies show CMQ more kinetically stable with a higher resistance to transfer charge than NMQ.