Abstract

Introduction: A series of schiff bases(3-8) were synthesized by the reaction of cefradine with six different aldehydes/ketones.

Methods: These Schiff bases (3-8) were treated with different bases/salts (NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)₂, Ba(OH)₂, Ag(NO)₃) to get their metal salts. The structures of the products were ascertained by spectroscopic data. The synthesized compounds were tested for biological activities against Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive bacterium) and Escherichia coli (gram-negative bacterium).

Results: In general, low activities in most of the synthesized compounds were observed.

Conclusion: A general reduction in the activities of most of the synthesized compounds in comparison to cefradine can be linked to the unavailability of the free amino group of cefradine by its involvement in the synthesis of imine derivatives.

Keywords: Cefradine, schiff bases, antibacterial activity, S. aureus, E. coli, aldehydes.