Synthesis and biological potential of ketimines of benzylamine

Ketimines of benzylamine (Ia-VIIIa) were synthesized by condensing acetophenone and substituted acetophenones (I-VIII) with benzylamine in equimolar ratio. The products (Ia-VIIIa) were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis and spectral studies and were screened in vitro for their antifungal potential against Alternaria alternate, Fusarium oxysporum, Myrothecium roridum and Colletotrichum capsici by spore germination inhibition method. The compounds were also tested for their nematicidal activity against Ditylenchus myceliophagus and Caenorhabditis elegans by aqueous in vitro screening technique. Phenylethylidenebenzylamine (Ia) has been found to be most potent against all the test fungi. 4-Methoxyphenylethylidenebenzylamine (VIIa) induced more than 50% mortality against D. myceliophagus whereas the compounds VIa and VIIIa showed similar results against C. elegans at 500 ppm. concentration after 96 h exposure.