Substituted oxazolinylflavons and oxazolinylflavanones were synthesized in order to compare their anti-picornavirus activities with those of related natural and synthetic compounds. The antiviral potencies of the new compounds were evaluated against rhinovirus type 1B and poliovirus type 2 by a plaque reduction assay in HeLa cell cultures. Among the substituted flavanones only 6-chloro-4'-oxazolinylflavanone showed activity against both viruses. A comparison of the effects of 3-substituted flavones indicated that the presence of a 3-methoxy group enhances the activity against rhinovirus, while the presence of a 3-hydroxy group enhances the activity against poliovirus.