Computer Graphics / Molecular Mechanics Studies of Quinolones Geometry Comparison with X-ray Crystal Structures

Geometries for several representative quinolone carboxylate type antibacterials have been calculated by computer graphics/molecular mechanics energy minimization procedures using both MM2 and AMBER force fields. The calculated geometries were found to be in reasonable agreements with the corresponding X-ray crystal structures. It has been pointed out that notwithstanding the weaknesses associated with calculating the resonance and hydrogen bonding contributions, the employed methods are capable of generating credible ring geometries and torsional angle dispositions of N(1)-ethyl and 3-carboxylate substituents of the quinolones.