Reversible Photochemical Modifications in Dicarbene‐Derived Metallacycles with Coumarin Pendants

Molecular rectangles were obtained from two bis(NHC) ligands, each featuring two terminal coumarin groups and two Ag⁺, Au⁺, or Cu⁺ ions. Upon UV irradiation (λ=365 nm), the dinuclear complexes undergo photochemical modification through a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of two adjacent coumarin moieties to give a macrocyclic tetra(NHC) ligand. The photodimerization of the coumarin pendants proceeds stereoselectively to give the syn‐head‐head isomers in all cases. Subsequent irradiation at λ=254 nm initiates a photocleavage reaction with reconstitution of the initial dinuclear complexes with coumarin pendants.     

Enantioselective Intramolecular [2+2] Photocycloaddition Reactions of 4‐Substituted Coumarins Catalyzed by a Chiral Lewis Acid

Eight coumarins, which carry a terminal alkene tethered by a CH₂XCH₂ group to their 4‐position (X=CH₂, CMe₂, O, S, NBoc, NZ, NTs, NBn), were synthesized in overall yields of 51–80 %. Starting materials for the syntheses were either commercially available 4‐hydroxycoumarin or 4‐formylcoumarin. The intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of these coumarins gave diastereoselectively products with a tetracyclic 3,3a,4,4a‐tetrahydro‐1H‐cyclopenta[2,3]cyclobuta[1,2‐c]chromen‐5(2H)‐one skeleton. Direct irradiation at λ=300 nm in dichloromethane (c=10 mM ) led to product formation in good yields for most substrates, presumably via a singlet excited state intermediate. Due to the low coumarin absorption at λ >350 nm the photocycloaddition was slow upon irradiation at λ=366 nm. Addition of a chiral oxazaborolidine‐based Lewis acid (50 mol %) increased the reaction rate at λ=366 nm and induced a significant enantioselectivity in the [2+2] photocycloaddition. Six out of eight coumarin substrates (X=CH₂, CMe₂, O, NBoc, NZ, NTs) gave the respective products in yields of 72–96 % and with 74–90 % enantiomeric excess (ee) upon irradiation in dichloromethane (c=20 mM ) at ?75 °C. The Lewis acid presumably acts by coordination to the coumarin carbonyl oxygen atom, which leads to a bathochromic shift (redshift) of the UV absorption and which increases the singlet state lifetime. A second electrostatic interaction of the hydrogen atom at C3 with the oxygen atom of the oxazaborolidine is likely.     

Synthesis and characterization of photocrosslinked poly(ε‐caprolactone)s showing shape‐memory properties

Poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) with a pendent coumarin group was prepared by solution polycondensation from 7‐(3,5‐dicarboxyphenyl) carbonylmethoxycoumarin dichloride and α, ω‐dihydroxy terminated poly(ε‐caprolactone) with molecular weights of 1250, 3000, and 10,000 g/mol. These photosensitive polymers underwent a rapid reversible photocrosslinking upon exposure to irradiation with alternating wavelengths (>280/254 nm) without a photoinitiator. The thermal and mechanical properties of the photocrosslinked films were examined by means of differential scanning calorimetry and stress–strain measurements. The crosslinked films exhibited elastic properties above the melting temperature of the PCL segment along with significant decrease in the ultimate tensile strength and Young's modulus. Shape‐memory properties such as strain fixity ratio (R_f) and strain recovery ratio (R_r) were determined by means of a cyclic thermomechanical tensile experiments under varying maximum strains (ε_m = 100, 300, and 500%). The crosslinked ICM/PCL‐3000 and ‐10,000 films exhibited the excellent shape‐memory properties in which both R_f and R_r values were 88–100% for tensile strain of 100–500%; after the deformation, the films recovered their permanent shapes instantaneously. In vitro degradation was performed in a phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.2) at 37 °C with or without the presence of Pseudomonas cepacia lipase. The presence of the pendent coumarin group and the crosslinking of the polymers pronouncedly decreased the degradation rate. The crosslinked biodegradable PCL showing a good shape‐memory property is promising as a new material for biomedical applications. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 2422–2433, 2009     

Synthesis of star‐shaped poly(n‐butyl acrylate) oligomers with coumarin end groups and their networks for a UV‐tunable viscoelastic material

Solvent‐free isothermal tuning of viscoelasticity of polymer materials is important for an emerging photochemical molding technology and photoreversible adhesives. In this study we designed a four‐armed star‐shaped poly(butyl acrylate, BA) oligomer having four coumarin end groups. The irradiation of UV at the wavelength of 365 nm (UV₃₆₅) to the viscous poly(BA) oligomer under a solvent‐free condition produced a solid network material along with the progress of dimerization reaction with coumarin end groups. The subsequent irradiation of UV at the wavelength of 254 nm (UV₂₅₄) caused dimer dissociation reaction to attain change in the mixing degree of star and network architectures in the material. Moreover, viscoelasticity of the network material was tunable by repetitive UV₃₆₅ and UV₂₅₄ irradiations. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 9–15     

Design and Synthesis of Novel C4‐Linked Substituted 2H‐Chromen‐2‐one‐hypoxanthine Hybrids as Potential Antimicrobial Agents: An Approach to Molecular Docking Studies

We present here design and synthesis of very efficient, high‐yielded and simple approach of a series of C₄‐linked coumarin–hypoxanthine pharmacophores 1 ( a–j ) with moderate to excellent in vitro antimicrobial activity. According to earlier studies, potential modification at C₄‐position of coumarin ring provided excellent bioactive molecules. All the titled compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analyses. Titled compounds have been developed via systematic tuning of coumarin ring substitutions, which are prepared from the well‐known Pechmann condensation reaction. The addition of a pendent nucleobase in hypoxanthine group improved the in vitro antimicrobial activity. Computational studies were also mimicking the potent biomolecules. A good pharmacokinetic profile is suggested by theoretical calculation of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion properties. Therefore, synthesis of these titled compounds provided an insight towards better antimicrobial agents.     

A Versatile Long‐Wavelength‐Absorbing Scaffold for Eu‐Based Responsive Probes

Coumarin‐sensitized, long‐wavelength‐absorbing luminescent Eu^III‐complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The lanthanide binding site consists of a cyclen‐based chelating framework that is attached through a short linker to a 7‐hydroxycoumarin, a 7‐B(OH)₂‐coumarin, a 7‐O‐(4‐pinacolatoboronbenzyl)‐coumarin or a 7‐O‐(4‐methoxybenzyl)‐coumarin. The syntheses are straightforward, use readily available building blocks, and proceed through a small number of high‐yielding steps. The sensitivity of coumarin photophysics to the 7‐substituent enables modulation of the antenna‐absorption properties, and thus the lanthanide excitation spectrum. Reactions of the boronate‐based functionalities (cages) with H₂O₂ yielded the corresponding 7‐hydroxycoumarin species. The same species was produced with peroxynitrite in a ×10⁶–10⁷‐fold faster reaction. Both reactions resulted in the emergence of a strong ≈407 nm excitation band, with concomitant decrease of the 366 nm band of the caged probe. In aqueous solution the methoxybenzyl caged Eu‐complex was quenched by ONOO^?. We have shown that preliminary screening of simple coumarin‐based antennae through UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy is possible as the changes in absorption profile translate with good fidelity to changes in Eu^III‐excitation profile in the fully elaborated complex. Taken together, our results show that the 7‐hydroxycoumarin antenna is a viable scaffold for the construction of turn‐on and ratiometric luminescent probes.     

Tailor‐made and chemically designed synthesis of coumarin‐containing benzoxazines and their reactivity study toward their thermosets

Coumarins are used as a natural renewable resource to synthesize coumarin‐containing benzoxazine resins. The coumarin‐containing benzoxazines are fully characterized in terms of their chemical structure by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The influence of electronic effects caused by the substituents on the polymerization temperature is also evaluated. Thermal properties of the resulting thermosets are characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, showing good stability and char yields higher than 50%. The coumarin‐containing polybenzoxazine thermosets show T_g values in the range between 160 and 190 °C. Thus, the herein presented coumarin‐containing benzoxazine resins are proven to be competitive monomers when compared with other petroleum‐based benzoxazine resins toward the generation of high‐performance thermoset. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1428‐1435     

An Efficient One‐Pot Synthesis of New Coumarin Derivatives as Potent Anticancer Agents under Microwave Irradiation

An efficient and rapid synthesis of coumarin derivatives was accomplished via reactions of 3‐(3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)acryloyl)‐2H ‐chromen‐2‐one ( 3 ) with different carbon nucleophiles such as ethyl acetoacetate, ethyl cyanoacetate, malononitrile, and ethyl benzoylacetate via conventional heating and microwave irradiation conditions and were used as source of pyran and pyridine derivatives bearing coumarin moiety 4 – 11 . Compound 9a was condensed with different carbon electrophiles triethylorthoformate, phenylisothiocyanate, carbon disulfide, benzoylchloride, and acetylchloride that afforded the corresponding chromen derivatives 12 – 16 . All the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental and spectroscopic evidences. All of synthesized compounds were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity. The preliminary screening results showed that most of the compounds had moderate cytotoxic activity against HCT‐116 and MCF‐7 cell lines. Nevertheless, compound 10 exhibited potent activity against the two cell lines, which was comparable with the standard drug 5‐fluorouracil.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Some New Benzo[f]coumarin Derivatives

Interaction of 2‐(bromoacetyl)‐3H‐benzo[f]coumarin ( 1 ) with salicylaldehyde afforded 2‐(2‐oxo‐2‐(3H‐benzo[f]coumarin‐2‐yl)ethoxy)benzaldehyde ( 2 ) which underwent self‐condensation in refluxing dimethylformamide (DMF) to afford 2‐(2‐benzofuroyl)‐3H‐benzo[f]coumarin (3). Treatment of 1 with o‐aminothiophenol ( 4 ) gave 2‐(2‐((2‐aminophenyl)thio)acetyl)‐3H‐benzo[f]coumarin (5) . Refluxing of 5 in DMF led to formation of 2‐(4H‐[1,4]‐benzothiazin‐3‐yl)‐3H‐benzo[f]coumarin (6). Treatment of 1 with aryl amines 7a–d in boiling DMF gave 1‐aryl‐3‐hydroxybenzo[5,6]chromeno[4,3‐b]pyrrol‐4(1H)‐one ( 10a–d ) . Condensation of 11 with o‐phenylenediamine gave 2‐(2‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐3H‐benzo[f]coumarin ( 12 ). Interaction of 2‐acetyl‐3H‐benzo[f]coumarin ( 11 ) with arylidene malonononitrile gave 4‐hydroxy‐2‐(3H‐benzo[f]coumarin‐2‐yl)‐5H‐dibenzo[c,f]chromen‐5‐one ( 16) . All reaction products were characterized by analytical and spectral data. Novel compounds bioactivity as antitumor were examined for in vitro cytotoxicity against HepG‐2 and MCF‐7.     

Microwave‐promoted Synthesis of Novel Fused Osthole Analogues

Osthole is a natural coumarin derivative and has a broad scope of biological activities. Two series of novel fused osthole analogues were designed, and synthesized through a highly efficient microwave‐promoted synthetic protocol via the reaction of 4‐hydroxycoumarins and β‐ketoesters. The reaction conditions including solvent, catalyst, microwave power and irradiation time were also optimized. The pyrano[3,2‐c]chromene‐2,5‐diones and furo[3,2‐c]coumarins were obtained through two distinct intramolecular cyclization processes, and the proposed mechanism was also discussed.     

“Reduced” Coumarin Dyes with an O‐Phosphorylated 2,2‐Dimethyl‐4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline Fragment: Synthesis,Spectra, and STED Microscopy

Large Stokes‐shift coumarin dyes with an O‐phosphorylated 4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline fragment emitting in the blue, green, and red regions of the visible spectrum were synthesized. For this purpose, N‐substituted and O‐protected 1,2‐dihydro‐7‐hydroxy‐2,2,4‐trimethylquinoline was oxidized with SeO₂ to the corresponding α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde and then reduced with NaBH₄ in a “one‐pot” fashion to yield N‐substituted and 7‐O‐protected 4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐7‐hydroxy‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline as a common precursor to all the coumarin dyes reported here. The photophysical properties of the new dyes (“reduced coumarins”) and 1,2‐dihydroquinoline analogues (formal precursors) with a trisubstituted C=C bond were compared. The “reduced coumarins” were found to be more photoresistant and brighter than their 1,2‐dihydroquinoline counterparts. Free carboxylate analogues, as well as their antibody conjugates (obtained from N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl esters) were also prepared. All studied conjugates with secondary antibodies afforded high specificity and were suitable for fluorescence microscopy. The red‐emitting coumarin dye bearing a betaine fragment at the C‐3‐position showed excellent performance in stimulation emission depletion (STED) microscopy.     

Control of thermoresponsivity of biocompatible poly(trimethylene carbonate) with direct introduction of oligo(ethylene glycol) under various circumstances

Poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) is a well‐known biodegradable polymer with good biocompatible properties which make it suitable for biomedical applications. Poly(5‐[2‐{2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyoxy}‐ethoxymethyl]‐5‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxa‐2‐one) (PTMC‐MOE3OM) and copolymers, bearing oligo ethylene glycol (OEG) at the side chain of PTMC backbone, were selected to investigate the cloud point behavior by solvents such as PBS, water, 10% ethanol solution and various ionic strengths. A pH‐responsive copolymer, poly(TMCM‐MOE3OM‐co‐(5‐methyl‐5‐carboxylic‐1,3‐dioxane‐2‐one)) as carboxylic acid carbonate showed a decreased critical temperature at pH 2. Photo‐responsive copolymer, poly(TMCM‐MOE3OM‐co‐coumarin derivatives) bearing 1% and 10% of photo‐induced molecules (7‐[(5‐(5‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxa‐2‐one)methoxy)]‐methoxy coumarin (TMCM‐coumarin)) exhibited a low cloud point because of the hydrophobic moieties. Meanwhile, alternative coumarin polymer including 2% of 4‐methyl‐7‐[(5‐(5‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxa‐2‐one)methoxy)butoxy)]‐methoxy coumarin (TMCM‐4‐methyl‐coumarin) has been successfully synthesized and copolymerized as a novel molecule. The various combinations of monomers were studied and the significant properties were determined via external triggers after copolymerization. This study showed basically synthetic progress toward designs and trivial rationalization of thermoresponsive copolymers close to body temperature. At present, various pendant groups as side part affect to the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and biodegradable polymer in order to utilize the actual external stimuli application. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3466–3474     

Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Novel Coumarin Derivatives via a Three-component Reaction in Water

An efficient synthesis of novel coumarin derivatives via a three‐component condensation of 4‐hydroxycoumarin, aldehydes and aromatic amines catalyzed by sulfonic acid functionalized ionic liquid L‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐1‐(4‐sulfobutyl)pyrrolidinium hydrogen sulfate ([HYSBPI]·HSO₄) is reported. The condensed product was obtained with excellent yields in water under microwave irradiation condition. The antitumor activities of all the synthesized compounds were assessed on two different human cancer cell lines (A‐549 and MCF‐7), and the results showed that these compounds had weak‐to‐good antitumor activities and their IC₅₀ ranged from 0.05 to more than 100 µmol·L^?1.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of several 3‐(coumarin‐4‐yl)tetrahydroisoxazole and 3‐(coumarin‐4‐yl)dihydropyrazole derivatives

A series of novel 3‐(coumarin‐4‐yl)tetrahydroisoxazoles 5a,b, 7, 9 and 3‐(coumarin‐4‐yl)dihydropyra‐zoles 13a‐d, 14,15a,b were synthesized from coumarin‐4‐carboxaldehyde 1 via the intermediate N‐methyl nitrone 3 and N‐phenyl or N‐methyl hydrazones 11a,b . These coumarin derivatives were isolated, characterized and evaluated in vitro for their ability to inhibit trypsin, β‐glucuronidase, soybean lipoxygenase and to interact with the stable radical 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl. The compounds were tested in vivo as anti‐inflammatory agents in the rat carrageenin paw edema assay. Compound 15a seems to be a lead molecule to be modified in order to improve the lipoxygenase inhibition. The results are discussed in terms of structural characteristics.     

Short‐term UV‐B Dose Stimulates Production of Protective Metabolites in Matricaria chamomilla Leaves

Physiological response of two cultivars of Matricaria chamomilla plants on UV irradiation was studied. The impact of used short‐time UV dose was evaluated in three time points; 2, 24 and 48 h after irradiation. Used UV irradiation immediately resulted in changes in plant oxidative status monitored as increased concentration of H₂O₂. Decrease in chlorophyll a and b indicated the impact on photosynthetic apparatus. For phenolic secondary metabolites, an increase in total soluble phenols and AlCl₃‐reactive flavonols was observed. The activity of main phenolic enzyme, phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase, increased with time after irradiation. Significant changes, mainly decreasing trends, in the content of free coumarins and their glycosidic precursors were observed. Enhanced accumulation in chlorogenic and 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid and in (Z)‐isoform of dicycloethers was detected. From these results, the redirecting precursors of coumarin biosynthesis to biosynthesis of substances with higher antioxidative potential can be assumed. Different reactions in diploid and tetraploid plants were recorded, too.     

Efficient Synthesis of Novel Coumarin‐3‐carboxamides (=2‐Oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxamides) Containing Lipophilic Spacers

The novel coumarin‐3‐carboxamides (=2‐oxo‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxamides) 5a – 5g containing lipophilic spacers were synthesized through the Ugi‐four‐component reaction (Scheme 1). The reactions of aromatic aldehydes 1 , 4,4′‐oxybis[benzenamine] or 4,4′‐methylenebis[benzenamine] as diamine 2 , coumarin‐3‐carboxylic acid (=2‐oxo‐2H‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxylic acid; 3 ), and alkyl isocyanides 4 lead to the desired substituted coumarin‐3‐carboxamides 5a – 5g at room temperature with high bond‐forming efficiency. These novel coumarin derivatives exhibit brilliant fluorescence at 544 nm in CHCl₃.     

Synthesis and Photooxygenation of Furo[3,2‐c]coumarin Derivatives as Antibacterial and DNA Intercalating Agent

Syntheses of 2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐furo[3,2‐c]coumarin and 3‐phenyl‐4H‐furo[3,2‐c]coumarin as angular furocoumarins were carried out through Williamson reaction of 4‐hydroxycoumarin with α‐haloketones followed by cyclization. Photooxygenation of the synthesized furocoumarin derivatives was performed and the photoproducts were isolated and characterized. The affinity of 2,3‐dimethyl‐4H‐furo[3,2‐c]coumarin towards DNA and the antibacterial activity were evaluated and compared with 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP).     

Structural,spectroscopic and first‐principles studies of new aminocoumarin derivatives

The new aminocoumarin derivatives 3‐[1‐(3‐hydroxyanilino)ethylidene]‐3H‐chromene‐2,4‐dione, ( 1 ), 3‐[1‐(4‐hydroxyanilino)ethylidene]‐3H‐chromene‐2,4‐dione, ( 2 ), and 3‐[1‐(2‐hydroxyanilino)ethylidene]‐3H‐chromene‐2,4‐dione, ( 3 ), all C₁₇H₁₃NO₄, were synthesized by reacting an equimolar amount of 3‐acetyl‐4‐hydroxycoumarin and the corresponding aminophenol in absolute ethanol. Structural and spectroscopic analysis of these phases revealed that derivatives ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) are isomers of previously reported ( 3 ) [Brahmia et al. (2013). Acta Cryst. E 69 , o1296]. The crystal structures of meta derivative ( 1 ) and para derivative ( 2 ) were ab initio determined from powder X‐ray diffraction data using the direct‐space approach. Both ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) adopt the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁. These isomers show hydrogen bonds and rich π–π stacking, together with π…H interactions, which are built by conjugated systems of coumarin and phenol rings. In the crystalline lattice, the packing of ( 1 ) and ( 3 ) are mainly stabilized through O—H…O hydrogen bonding between neighbouring coumarin molecules, while hydrogen bonds between coumarin and water molecules build the stable crystal structure of derivative ( 2 ). A big similarity in the skeletons of the IR spectra of these isomers was noticed. Derivative ( 2 ) exhibits two weak bands which were not present in the spectra of the other two derivatives, at 2370 and 2948 cm^?1, which can be assigned to the O—H vibrations of the solvent (H₂O) trapped in the structure of ( 2 ). These aminocoumarin derivatives display absorption maxima in the visible region, attributed to π–π delocalization involving the whole electronic system of the compounds with a considerable charge‐transfer character originating from the aminophenyl ring and pointing towards the coumarin system which is characterized by a high electron‐accepting character. Additionally, the isolated molecular ground‐state geometries were optimized at the PBE0/TZP level and the electronic properties, molecular electrostatic potential and Hirshfeld charges were determined.     

A novel generation of photoactive comb‐shaped polyamides for the photoalignment of liquid crystals

A new approach to the synthesis of photoactive comb‐shaped homo‐ and copolyamides containing azobenzene, cinnamate, and coumarin side groups for photoalignment of liquid crystals was elaborated. Photooptical properties and photoorientational ability of these polymers with respect to liquid crystals were studied. It was shown that polarized UV irradiation of all spin‐coated polyamides leads to orientation of liquid crystalline molecules deposited on the polyamide thin films. The synthesized polymers containing cinnamate and coumarin side groups as well as azobenzene‐containing cyano‐ and nitro‐substituted polymers demonstrated good orientation ability in relation to liquid crystals displaying photoinduced planar orientation with high dichroism values within the range of 0.68–0.72. Contrary to the above‐mentioned polyamides, azobenzene‐containing fluorosubstituted polymers induced a homeotropic orientation of liquid crystals. It was shown that the synthesized photoactive polyamides can be considered as promising photoalignment materials for application in display technology, photonics, and other “smart” optical devices. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 4031–4041     

Synthesis of novel coumarin and benzocoumarin derivatives and their biological and photophysical studies

Several derivatives of coumarin‐3N‐carboxamides ( 3‐21 ) have been prepared via the reaction of the coumarin‐3‐carbonyl chloride ( 1 ) with a number of nucleophiles. Novel double‐headed coumarin‐3N‐carboxamides ( 26‐33 ) were also produced using the same method. The Pechmann‐Duisberg reaction was applied to prepare new benzo[f]‐ benzo[h]coumarins and 4‐(chloromethyl)‐pyrano[3,2‐c]coumarin‐2‐one ( 36‐42 ). The reaction of 1‐chloromethylbenzo[f]coumarins ( 36 ) with cyanide anion under different reaction conditions was also investigated in order to assess its suitability for nucleophilic substitution reactions as well as ring transformation products ( 43‐49 ). Synthesis of 1‐((benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)methyl)‐9‐hydroxybenzo[ f ]coumarin ( 50 ) represented the first example of methylene bridge‐head heterocyclecontaining benzo[f]coumarin. Some of the newly prepared coumarins exhibited anti‐bacterial activity against Gram Positive and Gram negative bacteria. Compound 36d was found to be active against all the screened bacteria. Photophysical studies were performed on selected fluorescent benzo[f]‐ and benzo[h]coumarin and the quantum yields were also calculated. All new compounds were characterized by IR, MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, as well as elemental analysis.