Convenient synthesis of linear 2<i>H</i>,6<i>H</i>-pyrano[3,2-<i>g</i>] chromenes from natural occurring compound; visnagin

A simple and convenient rout for the synthesis of linear 2-imino-2H,6H-pyrano[3,2-g] chromen-6-ones and 2H,6H-pyrano[3,2-g]chromene-2,6-diones has been described starting from natural occurring furochromone; visnagin (1). Ring opening of 1 yielded 6-formyl-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-methylchromone (2), which underwent reaction with different acetonitrile derivatives furnished 2-imino-2H,6H-pyrano[3,2-g] chromen-6-ones (5a–h). Acid hydrolysis of 5a–h led to the formation of 2H,6H-pyrano[3,2-g]chromene-2,6-diones (6a–h). Structures of the synthesized compounds were clarified based on their elemental analyses and spectral data. The entire target compounds were selected for in vitro anticancer activity against 60 human cancer cell lines at a single dose (10−5 M) by the National Cancer Institute (NCI, Bethesda, USA).