Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New N,N′-Bis(1-substituted-ethylidene)‎-ethane1,2-diamine and Their Acetyl and Trifluoroacetyl Derivatives as Cytotoxic and Antimicrobial Agents

Abstract EN

Several Schiff bases 2 have been prepared by the condensation of various methyl ketones 1 with 1,2-ethylenediamine.

Subsequent acylation of these Schiff bases with trifluoroacetic anhydride in THF yields the corresponding trifluoroacetyl derivatives 3.

However, o-hydroxy- and o-methoxy-substituted derivatives yielded substituted-trifluoromethylchroman-4-ones.

Additionally, Schiff bases when reacted with acetic anhydride afforded the C-acetylated derivatives 4.

The structures of the isolated compounds were fully determined by spectral methods.

Preliminary biological screening of the prepared compounds revealed significant cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities.