Pharmaceutical significance of Schiff bases: an overview

Schiff bases are a diverse group of organic compounds with great pharmaceutical importance due to the presence of carbon–nitrogen double bonds (–C=N–). These compounds are synthesized by the condensation reaction between a primary amine and an aldehyde or ketone in a suitable solvent such as methanol. These compounds have shown antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities, which have garnered the attention of organic chemists in synthesizing these compounds. Recent advances have been summarized in this review paper mainly including compounds with potential antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. Synthetic schemes are included to provide a better understanding of the Schiff base synthesis mechanism. This review paper will provide a way forward for the pharmaceutical chemist to synthesize new compounds with potential biological activities.