Delving Into the Schiff Base Polymers: a Short Review

Abstract

“Hugo Schiff” in 1864 developed condensation products of primary amine and carbonyl compounds known as Schiff Base. The main characteristic of this compound is the presence of azomethine (>C=N–) linkage. Schiff bases also have remarkable applications due to their potential biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant and many more. In recent years, Schiff base paves its ways in polymer chemistry remarkably. Due to the globalization and advancement in technology and the polymer field, it is very important to prepare polymers which withstands with the challenges like thermal stability, long shelf life, durability, etc. by modifying their physical and chemical properties. Literature survey indicated that Schiff bases are the best moieties to enhance the properties of polymers prepared. The extensive research is still going on in the polymer field and Schiff base is found to be more prominent scaffold hence it is necessary to overview the previous research which makes the future outcome more advanced and sustainable. This paper gives a short review of the synthesis of various Schiff base polymers, their resultant structures and application in various domains. Obstacles in the path of the Schiff base polymer synthesis have been discussed. Meanwhile, some future recommendations have also been proposed to mitigate the challenges that will be faced.