New routes are described for the synthesis of diethyl arylsulfonylmalonic esters and various conveniently substituted derivatives of 3-arylsulfonyl-4-hydroxycoumarin and 3-arylsulfonyl-4-hydroxy-1H-quinolin-2-one. The latter were prepared by thermal condensation of diethyl arylsulfonylmalonic esters with substituted phenols and N-substituted aniline. Study of their anti-HIV-1, anti-HIV-2, and various other antiviral properties did not reveal interesting activity.