-METHYL-2H-1-BENZOPYRAN-3-YL)HEPTA-2,4,6-TRIENOATE DETHYLE

The effects of retinoids on cell differentiation and proliferation, as well as on the inflammatory process, have been well documented, but s o far their clinical use has been affected by teratogenicity and hyper vitaminosis A [Loeliger, Bollag & Maier (1980). Eur. J. Med. 15, 9-151 . The need for safer drugs led to the synthesis of new oxaretinoids. T he title compound, (2E,4E,6E)-ethyl methyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-yl)hepta- 2,4,6-trienoate, C]9H20O3, is an oxaretinoid resulting from the integr ation of the fourth double bond of retinoic acid into a pyran ring. Th e structural analogy with retinoic acid is reinforced by the similar d istances found between the geometrical centre of the rings and the 0 a tom of the carbonyl group.