Synthesis and Characterization of (PTU)I2 (PTU = 6‐n‐propyl‐2‐thiouracil) and (CMBZT)I2 (CMBZT = 5‐chloro‐2‐mercaptobenzothiazole) and Possible Implications for the Mechanism of Action of Anti‐Thyroid Drugs

Direct reaction of 6‐n‐propyl‐2‐thiouracil (PTU), a widely used anti‐thyroid drug against hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease), or 5‐chloro‐2‐mercaptobenzothiazole (CMBZTH) with iodine in a molar ratio of 1:1 resulted in the formation of the charge‐transfer (CT) complexes [(PTU)I2] (1) or [(CMBZT)I2] (2). All reactions were carried out in dichloromethane and water solutions. Compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by elemental analyses, FT‐Raman, FT‐IR, UV/Vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of both complexes were determined by X‐ray diffraction at 120(1) K (1) and 293(2) K (2). The charge‐transfer nature of the bonds in the adducts 1 and 2 was verified by the lengthening of the I−I bond lengths as compared to the S−I bond lengths and by the characteristic CT bands observed in the UV spectra of the complexes. Compound 1 [(C7H10N2OS)I2] [monoclinic with space group P21/c and a = 9.8501(7), b = 10.3101(7), c = 12.0287(8) Å, β = 99.707(6)°, Z = 4] consists of a propylthiouracil ligand bonded with an iodine atom through sulfur. Extended intermolecular N−H···O contacts link the molecules forming a supramolecular assembly. Compound 2 {(C7H4ClNS2)I2} [orthorhombic, space group P212121, a = 4.1650(10), b = 9.691(2), c = 28.471(6) Å, Z = 4] consists of a 5‐chloro‐2‐mercaptobenzothiazole ligand bonded with an iodine atom through sulfur. An extended intermolecular linkage via I···H−N bonds leads to the formation of an extended structure. Attempts to draw conclusions on the behavior of a thioamide — when used as an anti‐thyroidal drug — towards iodine have been made. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)