Abstract
A series of Schiff bases (N1-N5) derived from aniline and different substituted aromatic aldehydes, was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and various spectroscopic methods (IR and NMR spectroscopy). The crystal structures of compounds N3 and N4 were determined using single crystal X-ray analysis, and their 3D geometries were optimized at hybrid B3LYP level of theory using Triple-Zeta split valence shell plus diffused and polarization function basis sets 6-311++G(d, p) employing tight convergence criteria. The calculated structural parameters as well as the FTIR vibrational frequencies strongly complemented the experimental ones. Based on this knowledge the structure of N5 was predicted using the same theory and basis sets. The preliminary biological evaluation of the precursors and synthesized Schiff bases revealed their negligible potential to inhibit microbial growth but were found significantly cytotoxic at higher concentrations. Moreover, the compounds showed concentration dependent protection against DNA damage. Antioxidant assays showed variable behavior of precursors and derived Schiff bases.