Zn(II), Mn(III), and Co(III) complexes of Schiff base derived from 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde: Synthesis, spectral surveys, single crystal structure studies, Hirshfeld surface analysis, density functional theory calculation, molecular electrostatic potential, and molecular docking evaluations

A new series of transition metal complexes of bidentate Schiff base compound derived from 2‐hydroxy‐1‐(2‐methoxyethylimino)‐naphthalene (HL) were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and UV–vis spectroscopies. X‐ray single crystal structures of Zn(II), Mn(III), and Co(III) complexes (1–4) have also been determined, and it was indicated that these Zn(II) and Co(III) complexes (1, 4) are in an octahedral geometry. Whereas, it was found that the Zn complex (2) is in quite a regular tetrahedral environment. Also, the Mn center in complex (3) is ligated by two azomethine nitrogen atoms, two ligand oxygen atoms, and one Cl atom of metal salt forming five coordinated tetragonal pyramid geometry around the Mn atoms. The cyclic voltammetry of the complexes specifies an irreversible redox behavior for all complexes (1–4). Next, DFT/B3LYP theoretical method was used to determine the optimal geometrical configurations and comparison between experimental and theoretical data, as well as for calculations of molecular electrostatic potential, highest‐occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)‐lowest‐unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy values of selected compounds. The study of non‐covalent interactions was done by Hirshfeld surface analysis using CrystalExplorer program. Furthermore, molecular docking inspection was carried out to study the binding affinity of the tested complexes towards protein B‐cell lymphorna (PDB ID: 4LXD). Using the results obtained from the molecular docking and the summarized interaction of the binding processes, these structures show the validity of effective inhibition against liver cancer.