Abstract Optimized syntheses of 2-coumaranone derivatives and, based thereon, several new representatives of this class of substances are described. They show a clearly visible chemiluminescence under the exposure of a strong base and in the presence of oxygen. The wavelength and intensity of the light emitted depends on both the substituents on the benzo annealed, as well as on the type of base used. A mechanism is presented in which a delocalized enolate is postulated as a key intermediate.