Fluorinated derivatives of tetrahydroaltersolanol molecule on COVID-19, HIV, and HTLV protease by DFT and molecular...

Structural, optoelectronic, and biological properties of tetrahydroaltersolanol (C₁₆H₂₀O₇) and fluorinated derivatives are calculated using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular docking approaches. It is shown that the pure C₁₆H₂₀O₇ molecule has a direct HOMO-LUMO energy gap about 3.1 eV. The substitution of F atom at A category decreases the electronic energy gap, while it is constant at B category. In A category, the behavior of the pure molecule changed from insulator to semiconductor with various substitution of F atom. The electronic properties were depended on the F sites in the pure molecule. The molecular electrical transport properties and charge-transfer possibilities increase with decreasing energy gap. The pure C₁₆H₂₀O₇ molecule with high energy gap has low chemical reactivity and substitution of F atom at considered molecule increases chemical reactivity. Obtained results show that F-O bonds in trifurcation bonds of C₁₆H₁₉O₇(F14), C₁₆H₁₉O₇(F16), and C₁₆H₁₉O₇(F17) molecules play a key role in confronting with COVID-19, HIV, and HTLV proteases, respectively. Optical spectra, such as the dielectric functions, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, refractive index, extinction coefficient, and reflection spectra show that fluorinated derivatives of C₁₆H₂₀O₇ at B category can be used in the new drugs.