What is "chalcone"

n. 1 (context organic compound uncountable English) The compound 1,3-diphenylpropenone (PhCH=CHCOPh). 2 (context organic chemistry countable English) Any derivative of this compound.

Chalcone is an aromatic ketone and an enone that forms the central core for a variety of important biological compounds, which are known collectively as chalcones or chalconoids. Benzylideneacetophenone is the parent member of the chalcone series. The alternative name given to chalcone are phenyl styryl ketone, benzalacetophenone, β-phenylacrylophenone, ɣ-oxo-α,ɣ-diphenyl-α-propylene and α-phenyl-β-benzoylethylene.

Chalcones and their derivatives demonstrate wide range of biological activities such as anti-diabetic, anti-neoplastic, anti-hypertensive, anti-retroviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, anti-histaminic, anti-malarial, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, anti-obesity, anti-platelet, anti-tubercular, immunosuppressant, anti-arrhythmic, hypnotic, anti-gout, anxiolytic, anti-spasmodic, anti-nociceptive, hypolipidemic, anti-filarial, anti-angiogenic, anti-protozoal, anti-bacterial, anti-steroidal, cardioprotective, etc.

Chalcone is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae.