Benzimidazole – Schiff bases and their complexes: synthesis, anticancer activity and molecular modeling as Aurora kinase inhibitor

A new series of Schiff bases containing benzіmidazole moiety 11–17 were synthesized by the reaction of 4-(1H-benzо[d]іmіdazоl-2-yl)anіline (1) with different aromatic aldehydes (4–10) via conventional heating and microwave irradiation methods. The structures of the novel Schiff bases were characterized by using different spectral data. Also, metal complexes 18–21 of compound 13 were synthesized, and their structure was confirmed by spectral measurements (IR, NMR, UV), molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility and thermo-gravimetric analysis. The novel synthesized ligand 13 and its complexes 18–21 were tested for their in vitro antitumor activities towards breast, liver and lung cancer cell lines. Also, the acute toxicity of the prepared compounds 13 and 18–21 was determined in vivo. The results showed that the newly synthesized compounds 13 and 18–21 exhibited a significant activity against cancer, especially for complex 21, compared to standard drug doxorubicin. The molecular docking of complexes 20 and 21 has been also studied as Aurora kinase inhibitors.