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A multifunctional Schiff base: investigating its Zirconium sensing capabilities and antiproliferative effects

Journal of Molecular Structure

Gurjaspreet Singh; Parul; Brij Mohan2026Elsevier

Key information

Authors:

Gurjaspreet Singh; Parul; Ankush Sheoran; Baljinder Singh Gill; Deepanjali Baliyan; Amarjit Kaur; Daizy Rani Batish; Aditi Rana; Brij Mohan (Brij Mohan)

Published in

January 2026

Abstract

The current investigation is focused on the synthesis of indole-3-carboxaldehyde functionalized Schiff base 5, which was characterized via X-ray crystallographic study, 1H NMR spectroscopy, 13C NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (LCMS) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Compound 5 has been identified as an effective and highly selective Zr(IV) sensor using UV–Visible spectroscopy with a limit of detection (LOD) 3.7 × 10–7 M. Compound 5 exhibited the most significant anticancer activity, reducing cell viability by upto 67.67 % compared to untreated control cells. Experiments on Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) seeds revealed its efficacy as a good plant growth regulator. Molecular docking studies further supported its therapeutic potential by revealing strong interactions with both an anticancer target protein and a plant gibberellin protein, indicating its dual role as potential anticancer agent and a plant growth regulator. The findings from the study provides the foundation for future research into zirconium sensing and anticancer applications, potentially leading to the development of new sensors and anticancer drugs.

Publication details

Authors in the community:

Publisher

Elsevier

Link to the publisher's version

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002228602502695X?via%3Dihub

Title of the publication container

Journal of Molecular Structure

Volume

1350

Fields of Science and Technology (FOS)

chemical-engineering - Chemical engineering

Keywords

  • Schiff base
  • Indole-3-carboxaldehyde
  • Molecular docking
  • Anticancer
  • Zirconium(IV)

Publication language (ISO code)

eng - English

Rights type:

Open access