A Laconic Review on Chalcones: Synthesis, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant activities

Chalcones and their derivatives have been an area of great interest for several researchers in recent years. Several number of research publications have been published and chalcones continue to show promising effect for novel drug investigations. Chalcone is an advantaged moiety with therapeutic importance as it comprises of receptive ketoethylenic moiety - CO-CH=CH- having a place with flavonoids. Chalcones (1, 3-Diphenyl-prop-2-en-1- one) consists of a three carbon α, β-unsaturated carbonyl system and two or more aromatic rings and acts as precursors for the biosynthesis of flavonoids in plants. The presence of a highly reactive α, β-unsaturated carbonyl system in chalcone and its derivatives is the justification for its pharmacological potencies. However, synthesis in laboratory of broad range of chalcones has also been reported. Chalcones show a wide range of pharmacological impacts like anthelmintic, antileishmanial, antifungal, antimalarial, antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, antiulcer, antimycobacterial, insecticidal, antigout, antihistaminic, antiprotozoal, insecticidal, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic etc. Chalcones can be synthesized through Claisen- Schmidt’s condensation, Heck’s reaction, Aldol condensation reaction, Suzuki’s reaction, from cinnamic acid, Sonogashira Isomerization Coupling reaction, Microwave assisted synthesis etc. The purpose of the present review is to centralize the various and widely employed methods of synthesis of chalcone and their various derivatives and their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.