New carboxylic acid derivatives, processes for the preparation thereof and compositions containing the same

摘要

Novel carboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula wherein A is a straight- or branched-chain alkylene radical, X is an oxygen or sulphur atom, R1 is hydrogen or an alkyl radical, R2 is an alkyl radical, and the benzene ring B bears at least one substituent selected from halogen atoms and alkyl and alkoxy radicals; and the esters and amides and salts thereof are prepared by reaction of a metal derivative of the formula wherein M is a metal atom, with a halocarboxylic acid derivative of the formula Z-CR1R2.COOH, wherein Z is a halogen atom, or an ester, amide or salt thereof; or by reaction of a hydroxy or thiol compound of the formula with a carbonyl compound of the formula R1COR2 in the presence of a tri- or tetrahalogenated methane derivative and a strong base; followed optionally by conversion of a resulting acid or salt thereof to an ester or amide thereof, conversion of a resulting ester to an amide or conversion of a resulting ester or amide to the corresponding acid derivative or a salt thereof by hydrolysis. Pharmaceutical compositions, which reduce the concentration of cholesterol and/or triglycerides in blood serum and the level of fibrinogen in blood plasma and also have anti-inflammatory activity, comprise as active ingredient at least one carboxylic acid derivative of the first general formula above or ester, amide or salt thereof in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier therefor.