Synthesis of 3,3´-[methylenebis(3,1-phenylenenitrilo)]bis[1,3-dihydro]-2H-indol-2-one as a novel bis-schiff base

Abstract

Isatin (1H-indole-2,3-dione) was first obtained by Erdman and Laurent in 1841 as a product from the oxidation of indigo by nitric and chromic acids [1]. The synthetic versatility of isatin has led to the extensive use of this compound in organic synthesis. In nature, isatin is found in plants of the genus Isatis [2], in Calanthe discolor LINDL [3]. Isatin is the biologically active chemical produced by an Altermones sp. Strain inhabiting the surface of embryos of the cardiean shrimp Palaemon macrodectylus, which protect them from the pathogenic fungus Lagenidium callinectes [4]. Schiff bases of isatin were reported to possess anti-HIV [5-7], anticonvulsant [8], antibacterial [9-11], antiprotozoal [12,13], antifungal [14-16], antiviral [17-19] and antihelminthic [20,21] activities. The Schiff bases of isatin have also been used as a ligand for complexation of metals such as copper (ІІ) [22]. Based on these facts, we decided to synthesize a new isatin bis-Schiff base as potential biological and complexometric agents. Its biological activities and analytical works are under study.