| abstract |
Polyenes of formula (I) (in which one of R1 and R2 = halogen or lower alkyl the other = halogen or lower alkoxy; R3 and R5 = H, lower alkyl or halogen; R4 = lower alkoxy, amino mono-or di(lower) alkyl-amino or halogen; R6 = formul, hydroxymethyl, alkoxymethyl, alkanoyloxymethyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkenoxycarbonyl, alkinoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, mono- or di-(lower)alkylcarbamoyl or N-heterocyclylcarbonyl), may be used for topical and systemic therapy and prophylaxis of benign and malignant neoplasias and pre-malignant lesions. They may also be used for topical and systemic therapy of acne. psoriasis and other dermatosis connected with increased or pathologically-altered cornification and of inflamed and allergic dermatological affections. (I) may also be used against disorders of mucus membranes with inflamed, degenerative or metaplastic alterations. The toxicity of (I) is ver low and tumor-inhibitory activity is significant. Dimethylanthracene- and croton oil-induced tumors regress in the papilloma test. Cpds. (I) are prepd. by reacting cpds. (II) and (III) in which one of A and B = oxo, the other either -P Y 3+Z- or Y = aryl; Z = the anion of an inorganic or org. acid; X = alkoxy; R7 (when B = oxo) = alkoxymethyl, dialkoxymethyl, alkanoyloxymethyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkenoxycarbonyl or alkinoxycarbonyl. (II) and (III) are coupled using Witting reaction in the presence of acid-binding agent or an opt. alkyl-substd. alkeneoxide and opt. in solvent. Alternatively a Hormer reaction may be used with base and inert solvent. Carboxylic acids obtd. may be esterified or amidated, esters may be hydrolysed or either may be reduced to alcohols which may be etherified or esterified, then either saponified or oxidised. |