Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Physicochemical Characterization of Two Ni(II)-Famotidine Metal Complexes

The coordination ability of the antisecretor agent Famotidine (FMT) was explored using Ni(II) as central ion. [NiFMTH-2] and [Ni(FMT)2]Cl2 were obtained by the solvent evaporation method from the corresponding starting solutions at pH 8 and 4, respectively; the crystal structure was elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction in both cases.[NiFMTH-2] resulted in a distorted square-planar geometry, where FMT acts as a tetradentate dianionic ligand through nitrogen atoms belonging to the guanidine group, the thiazolic ring and the side chain, and a sulfur atom from the thioether moiety. [Ni(FMT)2]Cl2 exhibits an octahedral environment composed by two FMT molecules that coordinate by nitrogen atoms deriving from guanidine and thiazole ring moieties, and the thioether sulfur atom. The physicochemical characterization was completed by means of FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopies, and thermal analysis. Solubility measurements were performed and the results could be satisfactorily correlated with the solvation Gibbs free energy (ΔGsolv) values in aqueous solution obtained using the SDM model by DFT calculations. Ni(II) and famotidine form an octahedral complex at pH 4 where famotidine acts as a tridentate neutral ligand. In basic medium, it behaves as a tetradentate dianion, resulting in a quasi-planar complex. Spectroscopic and thermal data are consistent with single crystal X-ray diffraction structural elucidation. The relative stabilities were assessed by theoretical studies.