Synthesis and Anticholinesterase Activity Evaluation of Asymmetric Azines

Abstract

Azines or di-imines are compounds containing R₁R₂C=N-N=CR₃R₄ fragment in its structure. These compounds have received special attention due to their importance as intermediates in the synthesis of drugs and substances with diverse pharmacological activities. In this research, twelve compounds derived of asymmetric azines of aryl aldehydes and aryl ketones were synthesized by microwave assisted irradiation, and their ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme was tested using the Ellman method. Among the evaluated azines, five compounds were able to inhibit AChE, especially compounds (7E, 8E)-1-benzylidene-2-(1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylidene)hydrazine (7) and (7E,8E)-2-(1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylidene)-1-((pyridin-2-yl)methylene)hydrazine (14), which showed percentage inhibition of 18.34% and 17.43% at concentrations of 22.46 and 10 μM, respectively.