Synthetic strategies and pharmacological activities of chromene and its derivatives: An overview

•Chromene, a naturally occurring heterocycle is frequently used in therapeutics and diagnostics•Numerous synthetic approaches for chromene and its derivatives are deliberated•Diverse pharmacological activities of chromene and its derivatives are discussed Chromene is commonly found in nature and is considered one of the most frequently used scaffolds in heterocyclic chemistry for the designing of chemical probes for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. The chromene nucleus comprises an oxine ring fused with a phenyl ring. Owing to existing several useful biological applications of chromenes have generated wide interest among chemists to synthesize its derivatives frequently. Here, in this review, we have compiled and analysed various recently reported synthetic strategies of chromene and its derivatives through numerous approaches such as microwave-assisted, catalyst based, green solvents, solvent-free conditions, etc. along with their biological applications such as anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, AChE inhibition, antiviral, and antioxidant activities. Chromene derivatives cover a wide range of biological activities obtained from natural sources as well as synthetic compounds. The present review focuses on the compilation and analyses of various recently reported synthetic strategies of chromene and its derivatives along with their biological applications. [Display omitted] .