Synthesis and Chemical Reactivity of 4-Oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxaldehyde

4-Oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxaldehyde (chromone-3-carboxaldehyde or 3-formylchromone) 1 is an important biologically active compound. It can serve as a precursor in the synthesis of a wide range of heterocyclic systems having chromone moiety, many of which exhibit broad spectrum of biological activities such as anti-mutagenisity, cytotoxicity, thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor, and anti-HIV activity. During the last decade, the title compound was studied extensively. The review presents an overall survey of the synthesis, chemical reactivity, and biological activities of 4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxaldehydes and some of its derivatives.