Synthesis and Chemical Reactivity of 4‐Oxo‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxaldehyde

4‐Oxo‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxaldehyde (chromone‐3‐carboxaldehyde or 3‐formylchromone) 1 is an important biologically active compound. It can serve as a precursor in the synthesis of a wide range of heterocyclic systems having chromone moiety, many of which exhibit broad spectrum of biological activities such as anti‐mutagenisity, cytotoxicity, thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor, and anti‐HIV activity. During the last decade, the title compound was studied extensively. The review presents an overall survey of the synthesis, chemical reactivity, and biological activities of 4‐oxo‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐3‐carboxaldehydes and some of its derivatives.