Synthesis and Characterisation of Coumarins from H-Cardanol

A facile conversion of H-cardanol (side-chain hydrogenated cardanol, 3-pentadecylphenol; renewable fine chemical from the cashew industry) into value added 3-acylcoumarins, including those incorporating (+) menthol or cholesterol, has been achieved. The H-cardanol coumarin hybrid compounds were low melting, lipophilic and soluble in hydrocarbon solvents. They exhibit UV characteristics typical of 7-alkyl-3-acylcoumarins.