The preparation of alpha, alpha-dimethyl analogs of the hypocholesteremic and hypolipemic agent 3-methyl-4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid (beta-benzalbutyric acid, BBA) is described. These compounds were prepared as part of a continuing program directed toward a study of the structure-activity interrelationships of styryl- and phenoxyacetic acid antilipemic agents and the preparation of metabolically resistant analogs of BBA. Preliminary results on the in vitro ability of the compounds to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis indicate that alpha, alpha-dimethyl substitution reduces activity although the potency of the p-chloro analog 6b was comparable to that of BBA.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.