Fourier transform infrared spectra and normal mode analysis of drug molecules: Zidovudine

The FTIR spectra of zidovudine molecule have been recorded in the range 4000–400 cm−1. The title compound is used as a drug against AIDS or HIV. The molecular structure, fundamental vibrational frequencies and intensities of vibrational bands are evaluated using density functional theory (DFT) using BLYP, B3LYP, B3PW91 and MPW1PW91 methods with 6-31+G(d,p) standard basis set. Comparison of simulated spectra with the experimental spectrum provides important informations and the ability of the computational method to describe the vibrational modes. These calculations have allowed finding most stable conformational structure of AZT. Calculated results of the title compound indicate that the drug molecule has syn orientation. The glycosidic bond in AZT and a minimum-energy structure in which the glycosy torsion angle χ and torsion angle γ values are consistent with those in the conformation of AZT in the AZT5-triphosphate bound to HIV RT is determined.