THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CHEMISTRY AND APPLICATIONS OF CHALCONE DERIVATIVES

1.1 Introduction Versatility of Chalcone: a wonder molecule The 1,3- diphenyl – prop -2-en-1-one commonly known as ‘chalcone’ (Fig. 1.0) and its derivatives are versatile molecules with diverse applications. It is well-known that chalcones are also found in nature as precursors of flavonoids. The word chalcone had been derived from the Greek word “chalcos” implying “bronze” due to the brownish yellow colour of most of the naturally occurring chalcones. The name chalcone was coined by Kostanecki and Tambor. Most of the derivatives ofchalcones are ubiquitous in nature; being one of the constituents of fruits, vegetables, tea, spices and soy-based foods. Many of these derivatives were used as ethnomedicines for eg., licorice. The eploretin and its glycosidic derivative phloridizin, chalconarigenin and arbutin were found in apples, tomatotes, pears and strawberry respectively. Moreover, these compounds were also found in tea, coffee, red wine and broccoli in trace amounts. Chalcones are widely distributed in various parts of the plants such as roots, rhizomes, heartwood, buds, leaves, flowers and seeds of the species of the genera Angelica, Sophora, Glycyrrhiza, Mulus, Scullaria, Parartocarpus, Ficus, Dorstenia, Morus, Artocarpus etc.