International Journal of Medical, Pharmacy and Drug Research (IJMPD) [Vol-1, Issue-2, July-Aug, 2017] AI Publications ISSN: 2456-8015 www.aipublications.com Page | 10 Synthesis and Characterization of Glimepiride Yttrium Complex I.E. Otuokere, K.C. Amadi Department of Chemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria Abstract—Glimepiride is a sulphonylurea drug that is active in the management of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). It stimulates the release of insulin by inhibiting the efflux of K + (K + channel blockers) from pancreatic ß-cells. Glimepiride yttrium complex was synthesized by reaction of glimepiride with yttrium nitrate pentahydrate (Y(NO3)3.6H2O). The metal complex was characterized based on elemental analysis, UV, IR and 13 C NMR spectroscopy. The result of the elemental analysis was found to be in agreement with the calculated values. The ligand’s electronic spectrum showed intra ligand charge transfer (ILCT), resulting from the presence of the chromophores present in the ligand. The electronic spectrum of the complex formed suggested intra ligand charge transfer (ILCT), ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT), and d-d transition. IR spectrum of the yttrium complex showed the complexation of the metal ion to two carbonyls and one amino group. This further showed that the glimepiride acted as bidentate ligand. In the 13 C NMR spectrum, it is evident that the pyrrole ring was involved in coordination to the metal ion. Tetrahedral geometry was proposed for the complex. Keywords— Glimepiride, metal complex, spectrum, synthesis. I. INTRODUCTION Insufficiency of some metals in the body can cause disease. Iron deficiency causes anemia, copper deficiency causes heart disease in children, while zinc deficiency causes retardation of growth [1]. Therefore, iron, copper, and zinc are needed to support biological life [2].The unique characteristics of harmful metals like arsenic, platinum, technetium, and gadolinium are being harnessed by scientists to develop complexes that can be used as diagnostic agents [3]. Biochemistry has been recently considered as the coordination chemistry of living system, this is because one third of all enzymes in the human body contain a metal ion as essential component [4]. Interests in complexes have broadened over the years due to their roles in various biochemical, pharmaceutical, chemical and industrial processes [5]. Using ion specific chelating agents to remove metal overloads in the body is a new evolving science of bioinorganic chemistry [1]. The unique properties of some metals is harnessed in medicinal inorganic chemistry for the design of new drugs [6]. Exposure to toxic heavy metals can occur as a result of metal overload or heavy metal exposure which alter the functions of some body organs like the kidney and liver [7]. Recently, the use of sulphonylureas has been given much attention due to their high complexation ability with metals. Sulphonylureas are used in the management of type 2 diabetes. They enhance insulin secretion from the beta-cells [8].Studies on complexation of glimepiride with yttrium is relatively unavailable. It is therefore important to know the synthesis and complexation of yttrium with glimepiride, and also the structure of the complex formed. This present work focuses on the synthesis and characterization of yttrium with glimepiride. The structure of glimepiride is shown in Figure 1. Fig.1: Structure of Glimepiride II. EXPERIMENTAL 2.1 Chemicals and solvents All chemicals and reagent used in this experimental work were of analytical grade and were imported from E. Merck Co Germany without further purification. The chemicals include pure glimepiride drug and yttrium nitrate pentahydrate(Y(NO3)3.6H2O). 2.2 Physical Measurements The melting points were determined by MPA 160 melting point apparatus. The elemental analysis were carried out following a reported procedure [9]. The molar conductance of the complex was determined in DMSO using MRC