Application of the Heck reaction in the synthesis of truncated naphthoic acid retinoids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0960-894X(96)00523-9

A series of truncated naphthoic acid retinoids have been prepared using the Heck reaction. These retinoids were evaluated in the RAR transactivation assay in vitro and in the utriculi reduction assay in vivo. It has been found that the naphthalene ring of the retinoids is crucial for their retinoid activity and receptor selectivity.