Biological Properties of Schiff Bases and Azo Derivatives of Phenols

Aza-derivatives of phenols such as Schiff bases and hydrazones are an important and interesting group of chemical compounds. They exhibit a number of biological activities and play an important role in the regulation of many biochemical processes. Due to these properties, these compounds are potentialy useful for the design and production of novel anticancer, antimalaria, antivirus and antimicrobial drugs. The primary aim of the present review is to compare selected groups of phenol-derivatives containing azo-, heterocyclic, aromatic, alkyl and sugar moieties in view of their potential use and undesired effects, since some of them are widely used as dyes in the industry. Despite the vast number of azo derivatives of phenols which were synthesized and tested with respect to their biological activities, there is a continuous search for compounds of this group which might exhibit interesting, new biological effects.