Design, structural analysis, Hirshfeld surface study, and molecular docking of an o-dianisidine-based compound for pharmaceutical applications

• A novel ligand based on Thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde and o-dianisidine was synthesized. • The structure of the ligand was studied in detail, both experimentally and theoretically. • Hirshfeld surface (HS) analysis was recorded to explore various intermolecular interactions within the crystal structure. • Molecular docking demonstrated strong ligand interactions with 5IKT, 1IYL, and 2V5Z, suggesting broad therapeutic potential. In this study, we describe the synthesis of a novel Schiff base ligand, L, by reacting o-dianisidine with 2-thiophene carboxaldehyde in a 1:2 molar ratio in an alcoholic medium. The ligand was structurally analyzed using a variety of analytical and spectroscopic techniques, including elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, along with single-crystal X-ray crystallography revealing its three-dimensional structure. Furthermore, theoretical studies were conducted to explore the electronic properties of the ligand. Additionally, molecular docking simulations were performed to investigate its potential interactions with three biological targets: 5IKT, 1IYL, and 2V5Z. The binding affinities and interaction patterns of ligand L were compared with those of well-known medicinal drugs, including Ibuprofen, fluconazole (Diflucan), and Vitamin C. These findings indicate that the described ligand demonstrates significant biological activity, suggesting its potential applications in developing anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antioxidant medications.