Zasady Schiffa : wybrane syntezy, reakcje i aktywność biologiczna

Schiff bases are compounds with a functional group that contains a carbon- -nitrogen double bond with the nitrogen atom connected to an aryl or alkyl group. Schiff bases are condensation products of primary amines with carbonyl compound. Several studies showed that the presence of a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom of the azomethine determine biological and chemical properties of imines. Schiff bases are generally excellent chelating agents, because of the special properties of C=N bond. Their metal complexes have been widely studied because they possess anticancer in vitro and herbicidal applications. Imines also have biological importance. Schiff bases are common enzymatic intermediates where an amine reacts with an aldehyde or ketone of a cofactor or a substrate. Imines have been reported for their biological properties such as antibacterial (E. coli, S. aureus), antifungal (C. albicans) activities. A large number of different Schiff bases are active against a wide range of protozoan (T. gypseum, P. viticola).