Coumarin

Coumarin or 2H-chromen-2-one is an aromatic organic <a href="/facts/Chemical_compound/37FXqqtv">chemical compound</a> with formula C9H6O2. Its molecule can be described as a <a href="/facts/Benzene/Fguue7nr">benzene</a> molecule with two adjacent <a href="/facts/Hydrogen/BoYHjl0J">hydrogen</a> atoms replaced by an unsaturated <a href="/facts/Lactone/UMgRUFtj">lactone</a> ring −(CH)=(CH)−(C=O)−O−, forming a second six-membered <a href="/facts/Heterocycle/8oYSjJxY">heterocycle</a> that shares two <a href="/facts/Carbon/ukrgQexo">carbons</a> with the benzene ring. It belongs to the <a href="/facts/Benzopyrone/NEST3sDI">benzopyrone</a> chemical class and is considered a lactone.
Coumarin is a colorless <a href="/facts/Crystal/e2R2mk3E">crystalline solid</a> with a sweet <a href="/facts/Odor/WnCopMmH">odor</a> resembling the scent of <a href="/facts/Vanilla/TL21NweG">vanilla</a> and a bitter taste. It is found in many plants, where it may serve as a <a href="/facts/Plant_defense_against_herbivory/2MKbXxUp">chemical defense against predators</a>. While coumarin is not an anticoagulant, its 3-alkyl-4-hydroxy derivatives, such as the fungal metabolite <a href="/facts/Dicoumarol/pokjjlj7">dicoumarol</a>, inhibit synthesis of <a href="/facts/Vitamin_K/dpTFSa4J">vitamin K</a>, a key component in <a href="/facts/Blood_clotting/vnfEevM0">blood clotting</a>. A related compound, the <a href="/facts/Prescription_drug/a2zNYPMq">prescription drug</a> <a href="/facts/Anticoagulant/cARpjm0G">anticoagulant</a> <a href="/facts/Warfarin/kMnH6tb0">warfarin</a>, is used to inhibit formation of <a href="/facts/Blood_clot/vH6FDIQG">blood clots</a>, <a href="/facts/Deep_vein_thrombosis/vX7cGv8J">deep vein thrombosis</a>, and <a href="/facts/Pulmonary_embolism/LPjKCPba">pulmonary embolism</a>.

Coumarin open-in-new

Coumarin