Mannich reaction: A versatile and convenient approach to bioactive skeletons

This review gives an insight into the recent applications of Mannich reaction and its variants in the construction of bioactive molecules. Emphasis is given to the Mannich reaction that provides bioactive molecules and/or modifies the property of an existing bioactive molecule. The role of Mannich reaction in the construction of antimalarial, antitumour, antimicrobial, antitubercular, antiinflammatory and anticonvulsant molecules and also the significance of aminoalkyl Mannich side chain on the biological property of molecules is discussed here.