Schiff bases and their transition metal complexes as cornerstones in applied chemistry

Schiff bases are versatile ligands having a number of applications in modern science and industry due to their fine-tuning of molecular properties through various substituents enabled by the advanced eco-friendly synthesis and green chemistry. Over the past decade, in-depth studies have explored their structural diversity and multipurpose behavior, providing a comprehensive understanding of the coordination behavior. Significant antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antitubercular, and anti-Alzheimer activities of Schiff bases and their metal complexes were defined by their biomedical evaluation. Schiff bases are also useful as efficient catalysts for organic reactions, redox processes, polymerization, and coupling reactions for their complexation ability. Shiff bases are also used in functional systems with optoelectronic properties, especially in the polymer and textile industries, while their corresponding metal complexes exhibit improved properties. In the environmental field, Schiff bases and their metal complexes are used for heavy metal detoxification and remediation, supported by mechanistic insights and real-world case studies. Rapid environmental monitoring can be done by their colorimetric and fluorescent sensing abilities. The Potential of Schiff bases and their metal complexes as multipurpose materials is still being expanded by ongoing computational research and new trends, which will support green and sustainable technologies for use in the future. This review covers a wide range (2000–2025) of literature to describe the multifunctional applications of Schiff bases and metal complexes in the field of applied chemistry that bridges fundamental chemistry with practical applications in sustainable and multifunctional materials.