Synthesis, spectral correlations and biological activities of some (E)-[4-(substituted benzylidene amino)phenyl] (phenyl) methanones

A series of Schiff’s bases have been synthesized by fly-ash:p-toluenesulfonic acid (fly-ash:PTS) catalyzed microwave assisted oxidative coupling of arylamines and substituted benzaldehydes under solvent-free condition. The synthesized Schiff’s bases are characterized by their physical constants, analytical and spectroscopic data. The group frequencies of imines such as IR (v, cm–1) and NMR (δ, ppm) spectral data was correlated with Hammett substituent constants, F and R parameters using single and multi-linear regression analysis. The antimicrobial activities of these Schiff’s bases have been studied using Bauer-Kirby method.