Phosphonic drugs: Experimental and theoretical spectroscopic studies of fosfomycin

pH and time-dependant changes of fosfomycin molecular structure in an aqueous solution are studied by Raman, NMR, and generalized 2D correlation spectroscopies. Interpretation of the experimental spectra is based on the assumption of formation of different species running on applied physicochemical conditions. Geometries of all possible structures were entirely optimized with the 6-311++G(2df,p) basis set at the B3LYP theoretical level using procedures implemented in the Gaussian ’03 set of programs. Harmonic frequency calculations verified the nature of the studied structures and allowed to simulate obtained Raman spectra. The theoretical NMR shielding was calculated using the GIAO method at the same computational level. In addition, in some cases PCM model was used to monitor the influence of water molecules on the NMR spectra. It is shown that in the pH range of 1–2 of fosfomycin aqueous solution oxirane ring is open sequent to nucleophilic attack and forms 1,2-dihydroxyphosphonic acid with small content of its monodeprotonated species. On the other hand, in pH 7 and higher it appears either as 1,2-epoxypropylphosphonic or 1,2-dihydroxyphosphonic dianion depending upon whether hydrolysis took place or not. It is also discussed that Raman marker bands originating from the individual species of fosfomycin can be used to detect and/or to monitor this antibiotic in an aqueous medium (for example urine samples). Hence, depending upon the structure found in urine one can tell about metabolic processes of this antibiotic in the body.