Synthesis and characterization of two new schiff base ligands containing curcumin moiety and corresponding complexes with Fe(III) and Zn2+ ions and related anticancer studies

The uses of plants in new drug discovery has been stated in novel reports. Plant have been applied for years in pharmaceuticals, natural therapies and alternative medicine. A plant extract is an active compound that is removed from the tissue of a plant with eligible effects, to be used for a certain purpose [1]. Turmeric is a significant medicinal spice that comes from the root Curcuma longa. The turmeric rhizome contains a variety of pigments among which curcumin is a major pigment that incorporates several functional groups and can be easily dissolved into organic solvent such as methanol, ethanol, and acetone [2]. In this work two new Schiff base ligands, (1 and 2), derived from condensation reaction of 1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, (curcumin), with 2- amino pyridine and 1,2- diamino ethane, and their complexes of Zn2+ and Fe(III) ions were synthesized and characterized. The ligands and complexes were investigated by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, 1H and 13C NMR and Mass analysis.