Antioxidant activity of Schiff base ligands using the DPPH scavenging assay: an updated review

Abstract

Schiff base ligands, formed from primary amines and carbonyl compounds, are potential antioxidants because they scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and single electron transfer (SET) routes. This review aims to help design, synthesize, and discuss the antioxidant activity of Schiff base ligands based on their structure. This study critically discussed the solvent effect and the structural changes of Schiff base ligands responsible for DPPH scavenging activity, such as proton donating, electron-donating, and electron-withdrawing substituents, conjugation and ring structure. The ligands with electron-donating substituent groups in the phenolic ring demonstrated greater activity by readily stabilizing the radical and some of them showed higher activity than the standard. The activity also depends on the solvent used; the activity increases in those solvents that promote the proton and electron donation of the Schiff base. Schiff bases are most important due to their versatile applications, which can be explained by their antioxidant activity. The data led to the conclusion that the Schiff base ligand will serve as a source of synthetic antioxidants. There should be lots of scope for research on the antioxidant activity of Schiff bases. This review will assist researchers in studying Schiff base-based antioxidants and their applications. All the data analyzed in this paper was found from in vitro tests; for more clearance supplementary tests and in vivo investigations are crucial.