Microwave assisted Schiff base metal complexes as potential anticancer and antimicrobial agents: A critical review

Schiff bases are organic compounds which contain azomethine group (-C=N-) by reacting primary amines and carbonyl compounds. The presence of an azomethine group in the Schiff base facilitates coordination with transition metal ions. The term Schiff base is normally applied to these compounds when they are being used as ligands to form coordination complexes with metal ions. Such complexes occur naturally, but the majority of Schiff bases are artificial and are used to form many important catalysts. Schiff base metal complexes prepared using microwave irradiation have gained more attention because of their excellent strategy in generating quick and stable products in higher yields by improving the speed of reaction with lesser energy and exhibits various biological activities including antifungal, antibacterial, anti-tubercular, antiviral, antimalarial, anti-diabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, antidiuretic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and anti-HIV agents. Apart from biological applications, they are also used as a catalyst in Aldol reactions, polymerization reactions, oxidation reactions and other chemical reactions. Imine-ligand containing transition metal complexes including copper, zinc and cadmium, have proven to be effective starting points for the synthesis of metal or metal chalcogenide nanoparticles. In this review, various metal complexes derived from Schiff bases synthesised using microwave approaches are discussed along with their antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities.