COMPUTATIONAL INVESTIGATION OF STRUCTURAL, SPECTRAL, ELECTRONIC, AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF 4-TRIFLUOROMETHYL PHENYL THIOUREA AND 4-TRIFLUOROMETHYL PHENYL ISOTHIOCYANATE: INSIGHTS INTO NONLINEAR OPTICAL AND ANTICANCER POTENTIALS

The structural, spectral, thermodynamic, and electronic properties of the two investigated compounds, 4-Trifluoromethyl Phenyl Thiourea (4TFMPTU) and 4-Trifluoromethyl Phenyl Isothiocyanate (4TFMPIC), have been systematically analyzed using computational approach. The optimized molecular geometries confirm the stability and reliability of the calculated bond lengths and bond angles, which align closely with experimental and previously reported values. Spectral investigations, including IR and UV-Vis analyses, further reinforce the presence of functional groups and confirm the vibrational characteristics associated with the C-H, C-N, C-F, and C=S bonds. The UV spectra reveal significant electronic transitions (n → π* and π → π*), indicating the compounds' optical activity and potential applications in photonics and optoelectronics. Mulliken atomic charges and Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) maps offer a detailed understanding of electron distribution and reactive sites. The lower energy gap of 4TFMPTU (2.12 eV) suggests greater chemical reactivity and potential utility in various chemical and biological processes. The higher global softness and electrophilicity index values also indicate that 4TFMPTU is more susceptible to electronic transitions, making it a versatile molecule for further functionalization. Polarizability and hyperpolarizability assessments indicate strong nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, particularly for 4TFMPIC, which exhibits a β value 7.95 times higher than that of urea. These findings highlight its potential in optical applications, such as sensors, switches, and other photonic devices. The docking analysis revealed strong binding affinities of both compounds with multiple target proteins, emphasizing 4TFMPTU as a highly potent breast cancer inhibitor with a binding affinity of -6.0 kcal/mol and several stabilizing interactions. Similarly, 4TFMPIC demonstrated notable binding efficacy, exhibiting a binding affinity of -5.7 kcal/mol. Both compounds displayed low excretion rates, indicating prolonged retention in the body, which may enhance their therapeutic potential. Furthermore, their role as substrates for CYP1A2 suggests improved bioavailability by reducing metabolic degradation. Both 4TFMPTU and 4TFMPIC demonstrate considerable promise as potential drug candidates, particularly for addressing breast cancer.