Eight Schiff bases, synthesized by the reaction of 4-aminoantipyrine
with different cinnamaldehydes, were studied in the solid state by
using vibrational spectroscopy (IR) and X-ray diffraction techniques.
The analysis was extended to the solution phase through ultraviolet–vis,
fluorescence spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Finally, the crystal
structures of four compounds (3b, 3d, 3g, and 3h) were determined and studied. In addition
to the experimental study, theoretical calculations using the semiempirical
method PM6/ZDO were performed to understand better the compound’s
molecular properties, UV–vis, and infrared spectra. The primary
difference is the angular conformation of the terminal phenyl rings
around the corresponding linking C–N and C–C σ-bonds.
Furthermore, as a result of extended bonding, the > CN–
azomethine group-containing Cpyr–N(CH)–(CR)(CH)–Cbz chain (with RH for 3b, 3d, and 3h, and RCH3 for 3g) is planar, nearly coplanar, with the mean plane of the pyrazole
ring. Hirshfeld surface (HS) analysis was used to investigate the
crystal packing and intermolecular interactions, which revealed that
intermolecular C–H···O and C–H···N
hydrogen bonds, π···π stacking, and C–H···π
and CO···π interactions stabilize the
compounds. The energy contributions to the lattice energies of potential
hydrogen bonds were primarily dispersive and repulsive. All derivatives
were tested in vitro on LPS-stimulated mouse macrophages
to assess their ability to suppress the LPS-induced inflammatory responses.
Only a slight reduction in the level of NO production was found in
activated macrophages treated with 3h. Additionally,
the derivatives were tested for antimicrobial activity against several
clinical bacteria and fungi strains, including three biofilm-forming
microorganisms. Nevertheless, only Schiff base 3f showed
interesting antibacterial activities with minimum inhibitory concentration
(MIC) values as low as 15.6 μM against Enterobacter
gergoviae. On the other hand, Schiff base 3f and, to a lesser extent, 3b and 3h showed
antifungal activity against clinical isolates of Candida. The lowest MIC value was for 3f against Candida albicans (15.6 μM). It is interesting
to note that the same Schiff bases exhibit the highest activity in
both biological evaluations.