Abstract
Schiff-base derivatives are widely used organic compounds and their metal complexes have been drawing much attention to chemists due to interesting structural features and unique properties. The presence of nitrogen containing imine groups (-C=N-) in Schiff-bases as well as in their metallic complexes and the chelating properties of these compounds are responsible for their many unique biological properties. In this review, we have summarized various acyclic Schiff-base ligands and their different metallic complexes which have been reported in the last one decade. Schiff-bases and their metal complexes have shown a broad range of biological activities, including antifungal, antibacterial, antimalarial, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antipyretic properties. We have reviewed and arranged the reported Schiff-base derivatives according to their diverse biological applications, especially their anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities, anti-tumor and anti-cancer activities, anti-oxidant activities, anti-inflammatory activities and other therapeutic and medicinal properties. The other component of this work as a review of the molecular structures of various Schiff-bases since their molecular structures play a primary role in the biological properties. The presence of heteroatoms such as nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen with free electron pairs and aromatic rings in the structure of the Schiff-bases play significant roles in determining their properties.