What is chromen?

Chromen is a type of organic molecule that contains a benzopyran ring system, which consists of a benzene ring fused to a pyran (six-membered oxygen-containing ring) ring. It can exist in different structural forms, such as 2H-chromene, 3H-chromene, and 4H-chromene, with variations in the position and/or substitution of the double bond and/or heteroatom.

Chromen and its derivatives have been found in various natural sources, such as plants, fungi, and bacteria, and exhibit diverse biological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective effects. They have also been used as drug leads in medicinal chemistry research and as fluorescent probes in biochemical studies.

Some examples of chromen derivatives include coumarin, flavonoids, and chromanones, which are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and have been implicated in many beneficial health effects. However, some chromen compounds, such as aflatoxins, are highly toxic and carcinogenic.