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

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.