3- (or 4) – Akyl (or Aryl) Coumarins – A source for diverse Biological activity.

(+)-calonolide A (a 4 – propyl Coumarin)¹, costatolide (a 4 - propylcoumarin)² and inophyllum B (a 4-Phenyl Coumarin)³ are emerging as most potent non-nucleoside HIV-! Reverse transcriptase inhibitors. 4- Aryl coumarins, as viral agents, useful in the treatment of genital and labial herpes and other infections due to DNA viruses⁴. Some 4- phenyl coumarins have potential use as electroluminiscent materials⁵ and as  antiviral agents^6. 3-Substituted coumarins has potential use as laser dyes⁷ and in sun screen formulations⁸. Some natural 3-or-4- arylcoumarins are reported to possess insecticidal, insect-antifeedant,^9,10 and antifungal activity against plant-pathogenic fungi are also reported¹¹. Free radical scavenging activity of coumarins are reported¹¹

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4. Chem. Abst., 135, P152720d.
5. Chem Abst., 131, P235545u.
6. Chem Abst., 135, P152720d.
7. Chem. Abst., 126, 132636s.
8. Chem. Abst., 134, P9143a
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10. Tetrahedron Lett., 1964, 2817
11. Chem. Abst., 131, 223003c.