Abstract Hydantoins have widely been used as antiarrythmic, anticonvulsant and antitumor agents but recent research has shown a different and novel cytotoxic activity of hydantoins and its derivatives, ie anti HIV, antibacterial and antifungal. The following research article deals with the synthesis of hydantoins and their derivatives by Mannich reaction viz., 3- (substituted)-5, 5-diphenylimidazolidine-2, 4-dione and 1-(substituted)-3, 5, 5- ...