Synthesis of novel chromenyl phosphonates <i>via</i> nano-ZnO-catalyzed microwave method: Exploring potential anti-diabetic agents through molecular docking, ADMET analysis, and <i>α</i> -amylase inhibition

A more efficient and environmentally friendly approach has been developed for synthesizing phosphonates through the Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction, catalyzed by nano-ZnO in a solvent-free environment, utilizing microwave irradiation. Before synthesis, each compound underwent in silico ADMET analysis and molecular docking to assess drug-like characteristics and their potential to inhibit α-amylase. The structure of the newly synthesized compounds was validated using spectroscopic analysis, and their in vitro inhibitory effects on α-amylase were assessed. Among the compounds, dimethyl 2-(anthracen-10-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-6-yl-6-phosphonate (6j), dimethyl 2-(naphthalen-1-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-6-yl-6-phosphonate (6h), and dimethyl 2-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-6-yl-6-phosphonate (6e) displayed the highest inhibitory activity compared to the reference substance, acarbose. Additionally, compounds dimethyl 2-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-4-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-6-yl-6-phosphonate (6i), dimethyl 4-oxo-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-6-yl-6-phosphonate (6a), and dimethyl 2-(1H-indol-5-yl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-6-yl-6-phosphonate (6g) exhibited nearly equivalent effective inhibitory activity when compared to the standard. The remaining compounds demonstrated moderate to good enzyme inhibition.