12: N,N'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis-(substituted) benzylidene derivatives with enhanced anticancer activity

Abstract: Schiff bases derived from aromatic aldehydes and diamines are widely studied due to their versatility and applications in coordination chemistry, catalysis, and materials science. N,N'-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(1-substitutedbenzylmethanimine) (1a–l) is a symmetrical bis-imine compound formed by the condensation of substituted benzaldehydes with ethylenediamine. The presence of two azomethine (–C=N–) groups linked by an ethylene bridge enables the molecule to function as an efficient bidentate or tetradentate ligand, stabilizing various metal ions. These compounds are widely used as ligands in transition metal complexes, contributing to catalytic processes such as oxidation and carbon–carbon bond formation. Additionally, some derivatives exhibit notable biological activities, including antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. The intriguing structure of compounds 1a–l makes them an important class of compounds in both research and applied chemistry. In this study, we synthesized a series of bis-(substituted) benzylidene derivatives and elucidated their structures using various spectrometric techniques (NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry). Furthermore, their anticancer activity (cytotoxicity) was evaluated against four cancer cell lines. In addition to cytotoxicity determination, enzyme inhibitory activity and apoptosis analysis were also performed. In conclusion, compounds 1a–l exhibit improved anticancer activity along with newly reported and significant enzyme inhibitory potential.