A method for the synthesis of the 2-propanone (I) is described starting from alkoxide (II) through the lactone (IV). ##STR1## Excellent control of the location of the substitution on the phenyl ring is achieved and the reaction proceeds in high yield.
Retinoid like activity is exhibited by compounds of the formula ##STR1## where R.sub.1 -R.sub.3 independently are hydrogen, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl or lower alkenyl, A and B independently are hydrogen, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, lower alkenyl, SR.sub.4 or OR.sub.4 where R.sub.4 is lower alkyl, cycloalkyl or lower alkenyl; Y is selected from a group consisting of pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl or oxazolyl; E is lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower cycloalkyl, lower branched chain alkyl, or is characterized by the formula (CH.sub.2).sub.n where n is 0-5, and Z is H, OH, OR.sub.5, OCOR.sub.5, --COOH or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or amide thereof, --CH.sub.2 OH, CH.sub.2 OR.sub.6, CH.sub.2 OCOR.sub.6, or --CHO, CH(OR.sub.7).sub.2, CHOR.sub.8 O, or COR.sub.9, CR.sub.9 (OR.sub.7).sub.2, CR.sub.9 OR.sub.8 O where R.sub.5 is lower alkyl, phenyl or lower alkylphenyl, R.sub.6 is lower alkyl, phenyl or lower alkylphenyl, R.sub.7 is lower alkyl, R.sub.8 is a divalent alkyl radical of 2-5 carbons, and R.sub.9 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkenyl group containing 1 to 5 carbons.
