a compound with a functional group that contains a carbon-nitrogen double bond with the nitrogen atom connected to an aryl or alkyl group, not hydrogen
Schiff bases in a broad sense have the general formula R1R2C=NR3, where R is an organic side chain.
In this definition, Schiff base is synonymous with azomethine. Some restrict the term to the secondary aldimines (azomethines where the carbon is connected to a hydrogen atom), thus with the general formula RCH=NR'.
