Theoretical Investigation on the Stability and Reactivity of Imidazo [1,2-a] Pyridine <i>N</i>-<i>Acylhydrazone</i> Derivatives Using Density Functional Theory

Abstract

The reactivity and stability of seventeen (17) imidazo [1,2-a]pyridine N-acylhydrazone derivatives were investigated using density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31+ G (d, p) level. Analysis of the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and determination of the dual descriptor revealed that in most cases, the nitrogen atoms of the 6-πelectron conjugation, the oxygen, and the sulfur atom are nucleophilic site. Chemical reactivity of the compounds was assessed through analysis of frontier molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO), energy gap ( Δ ), chemical hardness (η), and the softness (S).Consequently, the compound 9e exhibited the lowest reactivity, least electron donating, and the highest stability. This comprehensive study offers valuable insights into the chemical behavior of these derivatives, crucial for further exploration and potential applications.