About this Research Topic

Background

Coumarin is a 2H-chromen-2-one oxa-heterocycle, and it has been deeply studied since its structure was found in many biologically active compounds (the anticoagulants acenocoumarin and Warfarin, Umbelliferon and the antibiotic novobiocin). This is probably due to coumarin chemical structure that is planar, aromatic, and lipophilic, but at the same time presents a lactone group, allowing a good binding to diverse targets, thanks to hydrophobic, π–π stacking interactions and also by establishing hydrogen bonds and dipole-dipole interactions. It must also be mentioned the effect of the diverse substituents, introduced thanks to diverse regioselective (also naturally occurring) synthesis, on the coumarin core, those could be responsible for the pharmacological effect of many coumarin derivatives.

Continuous attempts have been performed for the development of new synthetic pathways towards the synthesis of the coumarin nucleus and many of them regard of the use of new catalysts, green reaction conditions and the application of new techniques such as microwaves and ultrasound. High attention has been also directed to the development of new regioselective derivatization through new synthetic approaches able to overcome the limits imposed by the classical Von Pechmann condensation reaction. Aim of this Research Topic is to collect contributions from researchers working on this versatile scaffold looking for new synthetic strategies and new pharmacological applications of coumarin derivatives.

This Research Topic welcomes Original research articles, Reviews, Mini Reviews, and Perspectives. Areas to be covered in this collection may include, but are not limited to:
• New Synthetic approaches for Coumarin preparation.
• Regioselective Synthesis of Coumarin.
• Coumarin Green Chemistry.
• Natural Products Synthesis of Coumarin.
• New pharmacological applications of Coumarin derivatives.

Topic Editor Giovanni Muncipinto works for private company Jnana Therapeutics, holding some of its shares and patents. The other Topic editors declare no conflicting interests.

Keywords: Coumarins, Green Chemistry, Natural Products Synthesis, Biological activity

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