Recent Advances of Coumarin-Type Compounds in Discovery of Pesticides

Coumarin, a naturally occurring active ingredient with various biological activities in pesticides, is commonly found in plants belonging to the Rutaceae and Apiaceae families. Thanks to its unique structural properties and natural benefits, coumarin and its derivatives exhibit a wide range of physiological activities, including insecticidal, antifungal, antibacterial, herbicidal, and antiviral properties. These compounds have attracted considerable interest in the field of pesticide development, although there is a lack of comprehensive reviews on their use in pesticides. This Review aims to provide a detailed overview of the applications of coumarin and its derivatives in pesticides, covering biological activities, structure–activity relationship analyses, and mechanisms of action. It is hoped that this Review will offer new insights into the discovery and mechanisms of these compounds in pesticide development.