Synthesis and biological evaluations of some Schiff-base esters of ferrocenyl aniline and simple aniline

The synthesis and biological studies of some long chain esters containing Schiff bases and their ferrocenyl analogues were carried out. The 4-amino ferrocene was prepared by the reported method. Long chain esters were synthesized by the condensation of different aliphatic acids with the corresponding aldehyde. The esters were then reacted with aniline as well as with 4-aminophenyl ferrocene to give corresponding Schiff bases. All the synthesized compounds were analyzed by elemental, FTIR and proton NMR studies, were also investigated for a range of biological activities. Determined by crown gall tumor inhibition assay. Antioxidant and DNA protective activities were determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay and OH radical induced oxidative DNA damage assay, respectively. Among all test compounds, o-hydroxy-p-n-octadecanoyloxy-benzylidine-p-ferrocenyl aniline (FA2.1: a ferrocene containing Schiff base) showed highest antitumor, DPPH free radical scavenging and DNA protective activities.