Abstract Coumaric acid and its derivatives are known to inhibit UV-induced melanogenesis, skin erythema, angiogenesis, platelet accumulation and osteoclastogenesis besides regulation of bone formation, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities. The present study is a novel piece of work in which the syntheses of a series of alkyl coumarates (methyl coumarate, ethyl coumarate, propyl coumarate and butyl coumarate) have been achieved ...