Boosting 3H-Benzo[f]chromen-3-one Chalcone with Anti-inflammatory Drugs: Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Antimicrobial Activity

A series of novel 3H-benzo[f]chromen-3-one derivatives bearing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug moieties were synthesized with good yields. Benzo[f]coumarin chalcone was prepared via Claisen–Schmidt condensation between 2-acetyl-3H-benzo[f]chromen-3-one and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde in basic medium and was then esterified with carboxylic acids (drugs) in the presence of phosphoryl chloride and anhydrous zinc(II) chloride. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by FT-IR and 1H and 13C NMR spectra and elemental analyses and were screened in vitro for their anticancer and antimicrobial activity. Some of the tested compounds showed a good activity in comparison to standard drugs.