New convenient approach for the synthesis of benzyl 2H-chromenones and their α-amylase Inhibitory, ABTS.+ scavenging activities.

Series of new benzyl 2H-chromenones 6a-n was synthesized by Pechmann condensation of substituted benzyl resorcinols 2a-c and 3a with various β-ketoesters such as ethyl 3-oxobutanoate, ethyl 3-oxo-3-phenylpropanoate, ethyl 4- chloro-3-oxobutanoate, ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-oxobutanoate and ethyl 2-chloro-3-oxobutanoate 5a-e in very good yields. Synthesized compounds 6a-n were screened for their α-amylase inhibitory, and ABTS.+ scavenging activities. In the present series of compounds, compound 8-benzyl-7-hydroxy-4-phenyl-2H-chromen-2-one 6c and 8-benzyl-7-hydroxy-4- methyl-2H-chromen-2-one 6a were most potent ABTS.+ radical scavenging and α-amylase inhibitor. Although compound 6,8-dibenzyl-7-hydroxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromen-2-one 6h displayed potent ABTS.+ free radical scavenging potential, it was found poor in inhibiting pancreatic α-amylase.