Chromones: Important Templates for Pesticide Development

Abstract The chromone moiety is a fundamental component of various plant pigments, including flavones, xanthones, anthocyanins, and anthocyanidins, which are well-known for their distinctive colors and play a significant role in plants by creating visually appealing patterns that attract pollinators. Furthermore, chromones contribute to the plant's defense mechanisms by providing protection against UV radiation and fungal infections. Chromones offer excellent templates for structural modifications, enabling the synthesis of a wide range of compounds with diverse pharmacological properties. This feature makes chromones highly valuable in the field of medicinal chemistry. Their structural characteristics, combined with their ease of synthesis and versatility, position them as favored structures for drug development. The accessibility and structural diversity of chromones contribute to their significance in the development of new pharmaceutical compounds. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that synthesized chromones exhibit a diverse array of biological effects. These effects encompass various properties such as antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, immunostimulatory, insecticidal, anti-malarial, nematicidal, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antioxidant activities. Extensive research has been carried out on chromone and its derivatives, which has proved the pharmacological importance of this heterocyclic nucleus. The present review focuses on the synthetic chemistry and pesticidal activities of chromone derivatives in the current literature with an update of recent research findings on this nucleus and the perspectives that they hold for future research.