Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) of protonated 3-formylchromone (3-FC) shows loss of H2 as a major fragmentation route to yield a ketene cation, which on reaction with water forms a protonated carboxylic acid. The invivo salubrious effects of 3-FC against nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) mediated early hepatocellular carcinogenesis has been investigated. Synthesis and characterization of 3-FC and its derivatives has been reported.