Crystal structures and properties of derivatives of the alkaloid matrine: salts and hydrate forms

We report the crystal structures of three matrine derivatives, namely, the salts (1 R ,2 R ,9 S ,17 S )-6-oxo-7,13-diazatetracyclo[7.7.1.0 2,7 .0 13,17 ]heptadecan-13-ium (2 E )-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate (matrine caffeinate) sesquihydrate, C 15 H 25 N 2 O + ·C 9 H 7 O 4 − ·1.5H 2 O (Matrine–CA), and the 2-hydroxybenzoate (salicylate) monohydrate, C 15 H 25 N 2 O + ·C 7 H 5 O 3 − ·H 2 O (Matrine–SA), as well as the 1.75-hydrate form, (1 R ,2 R ,9 S ,17 S )-7,13-diazatetracyclo[7.7.1.0 2,7 .0 13,17 ]heptadecan-6-one 1.75-hydrate, C 15 H 24 N 2 O·1.75H 2 O (Matrine–H). Each derivative exhibited a consistent molecular conformation for the matrine core, which is notably distinct from that of the anhydrous form. Notably, both salts crystallized in the orthorhombic space group P 2 1 2 1 2 1 , with an asymmetric unit featuring one cation and one anion. Within the two salt structures, intermolecular proton transfer between matrine and the acid is observed, culminating in the formation of a matrine cation protonated at the tertiary amine N site. The Matrine–CA crystal packing is manifested as a three-dimensional (3D) network arising from one-dimensional (1D) supramolecular helical chains, stabilized by N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds. In the case of Matrine–SA, the matrine cation is interconnected via hydrogen bonds with salicylate anions and water molecules, also forming a 1D helical motif. The structure of the hydrate form, Matrine–H, is reported again with the disordered solvent molecules accurately located. To further elucidate the structural attributes, Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots are employed, offering a nuanced perspective on the intermolecular contacts and interactions within these crystalline forms.