The design or investigation of fluorescence probes continues to receive attention with respect to the diverse applications of spectrofluorometry. Depending on the highly sensitive character, fluorescence spectroscopy-based methodologies have been widely used in recent years in different sciences, including analytical, environmental, and medicinal chemistry areas. In our previous works, we have shown the iron (III) selective on-off sensor properties of benzo[c]chromen-6-one derivatives. In this study, we have extrapolated this research to 4-substituted analogues and investigated both fluorescent and metal interaction properties. Following the synthesis and structure identification studies, (±)-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-3-hydroxy-4-(1-hydroxyethyl)benzo[c]chromen-6-one was found as a fluorescent molecule displaying fluorescence enhancement in the presence of metals. This feature has been found quite different in comparison to the previous urolithins investigated. This finding suggested the substituent dependent effects and variations on the fluorescent properties of benzo[c]chromen-6-one system.

The research studies worldwide on the identification of novel molecules having the potential to inhibit cholinesterase enzymes generated many compounds with promising results for some of them. With respect to the limited number of drugs corresponding to the central nervous system active cholinesterase inhibitory potential, these research studies continue. Within the scope of this study, four 2-phenoxy-N-substituted-acetamide derivatives were synthesized and their structures were identified employing spectroscopic techniques. The title molecules were further evaluated for their cholinesterase inhibitory potential in modified Ellman’s method. The results displayed that the compounds have moderate activity and the simple scaffold employed might be used in future studies for more promising compounds.