Certain pyridine methylthio acetaldehyde derivatives and non-cyclic and cyclic acetals thereof

摘要

A series of 4-(2-carboxymethylthiomethyl)pyridines and related compounds, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, are disclosed as having antiinflammatory and immunoregulatory activity. Preferred compounds include 4-(2-carboxymethylthiomethyl)pyridine [alternatively named 2-(4-picolylthio)acetic acid] and (C1-C4)alkyl esters thereof, and 4-(1-formylmethylthiomethyl)pyridine [alternatively named 2-(4-picolylthio)-acetaldehyde] and bis(C1-C4)alkyl or cyclic acetals thereof. These acids, esters, aldehydes and acetals also have utility as intermediates in the synthesis of the corresponding 4-(2-hydroxyethylthiomethyl)pyridines.