Zn(II) metal complex of Benzedrine derivatives

Zinc(II) metal complexes of Benzedrine (amphetamine) derivatives represent a novel frontier in coordination chemistry with potential implications for neuropharmacology. Amphetamine, chemically 1- phenyl-2-aminopropane, possesses an amine group capable of coordinating with Zn(II), a d10 metal ion known for forming tetrahedral or octahedral complexes with nitrogen donors. This study explores the theoretical synthesis, structural characterization, and stability of such complexes analogous to known Zn(II)- amine complexes. Modifications to the amphetamine backbone, including phenyl ring substitutions with electron-donating (e.g., methyl, methoxy) or electronwithdrawing (e.g., fluoro) groups, are investigated to enhance coordination strength and tune electronic properties. Computational modelling, employing density functional theory, predicts binding affinities and coordination geometries, while spectroscopic techniques such as IR, NMR, and UV-Vis are proposed to confirm amine-Zn(II) interactions and complex purity. Although direct evidence for these complexes is absent in current literature, zinc’s biological role in modulating amphetamine’s dopamine transporter activity suggests a chemical basis for their feasibility. These complexes could potentially stabilize amphetamine derivatives, or reduce toxicity, offering new therapeutic avenues for conditions like attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder. Challenges include the weak ligand properties of amphetamine’s amine group and potential instability in aqueous environments. This work highlights the need for experimental synthesis and crystallographic studies to validate theoretical predictions. By bridging coordination chemistry with pharmacological insights, Zn(II) complexes of Benzedrine derivatives may pave the way for innovative drug delivery systems or targeted neuropsychiatric treatments, warranting further interdisciplinary research to explore their chemical and biological potential.