Intramolecular hydrogen bond between 4-oxo and 3-carboxylic groups in quinolones and their analogs.: Crystal structures of 7-methyl- and 6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxocinnoline-3-carboxylic acids

Crystal structures of two cinnoline analogs of quinolones and statistics on quinolones molecular forms observed in the crystal state have been determined. It has been shown that common quinolones may be divided into two main types, depending on presence of proton acceptor, usually aliphatic amine group, capable of protonation under mild conditions. Quinolones lacking amine group or having one(s) bound to an aromatic system exist at physiological pH mainly in a free acid form, in which acidic hydrogen atom is locked into an intramolecular hydrogen bond. The phenomenon enhances permeability of quinolones through lipophilic cell membranes but decreases the concentration of carboxylate form capable of specific binding with bacterial DNA. Molecular (neutral) form was observed exclusively in the crystalline state for these quinolones. The dominant forms seem different for quinolones having amine substituents with unconjugated lone pair electrons at N atom. Even in the crystalline state, they may exist also in a zwitterionic form, which was found to dominate in secondary amines crystallised at neutral pH. Our limited data suggest that position and order of amine group may play important role in controlling quinolones absorption, transport and concentration and thus their biological profile. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.