Synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopic characterization and anti-fungal activity of Ethyl 2-Oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxylateDerivatives

•A series of ethyl 2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxylate derivatives were synthesized.•All the synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, NMR and MS. The single crystals of the synthesized compounds (3d, 3e, 3f) were characterized by X-ray.•Compounds 3b with electron-donating groups exhibited high anti-fungal activities against Fusarium oxysporum.•Explored the potential antifungal activity of electron-withdrawing groups and electron-donating groups on target compounds. Ethyl 2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxylate derivatives were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, NMR, MS and X-ray crystal diffraction. Compound 3d crystallizes in the triclinic system with space group P-1. Compound 3e crystallizes in the monoclinic system with space group P21/c. The potential anti-fungal activities have been studied against five kinds of common fungi at concentrations of 200 ppm and 500 ppm. The research showed that the target compounds exhibit certain anti-fungal activity against the tested fungal strains. The inhibition rate of compound 3b was the highest against Fusarium oxysporum, up to 60.29% at 500 ppm. Compound 3b is promising to become the lead compound of pesticide in the future, which is worthy of further study. [Display omitted]