Theoretical Investigation of (E)-1-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]prop-2-en-1-one Molecule As a Possible Potential COVID-19 Drug Candidate: Molecular Docking and DFT Calculations

Abstract: In this study, a potential new drug to fight against the COVID-19 virus, (E)-1-(2,4-dichlorophen-yl)-3-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]prop-2-en-1-one molecule has been investigated via computational assessment and molecular docking approach. From the conformer analysis and optimization, the most stable structure is determined. For this structure, geometrical parameters, Frontier molecular orbitals analysis, chemical reactivity descriptors, nonlinear optical properties, natural bond orbital, mulliken population analysis, molecular electrostatic potential map and thermodynamic properties of molecule were calculated with standard functional at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) method. The geometric parameters (bond lengths and bond angles) are in good agreement with the experimental values available in the literature. The stability, structural and electronic properties obtained for the molecule can be a significant contribution to the future experimental and theoretical studies. The molecular docking mechanisms between the molecule and 7ALI protein points out that the protein-ligand systems are hydrogen bonding, π-stacking, and hydrophobic interactions.