Abstract: A compound of formula (I) wherein X is O, C?O or S; Y is N or CH; R2 and R4 are each independently H, —(CH2)pCOOH, —(CH2)pCON(R5)2 or —(CH2)pCOOC1-6alkyl; or R2 and R4 together form a 6-membered phenyl ring fused to the five membered ring; each R1 is independently selected from H, halo (e.g. fluoro or chloro), C6-10aryl, C7-12arylalkyl, C2-12 alkenyl; OC1-12 alkyl, OC2-12 alkenyl or a C1-12 alkyl group; each R5 is H or C1-6 alkyl; each p is 0 to 3; n is 1 to 4; or a salt, ester, solvate, N-oxide, or prodrug thereof, e.g. a salt thereof.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a polyunsaturated thiol comprising: (1) reacting a polyunsaturated alcohol in the presence of a compound of formula R2—SO2Hal wherein R2 is a C1-20 hydrocarbyl group, such an C1-10 alkyl group, to form a polyunsaturated sulphonyl ester; (2) converting the polyunsaturated sulphonyl ester to a polyunsaturated thioester by reacting with an anion of formula ?SC(?O)R4 wherein R4 is a C1-20 hydrocarbyl group; (3) converting the polyunsaturated thioester to form a polyunsaturated thiol optionally in the presence of an antioxidant, e.g. using a metal carbonate. (4) reacting said polyunsaturated thiol with a compound (LG)R3COX wherein X is an electron withdrawing group and R3 is an alkylene group carrying a leaving group (LG), such as LG-CH2— forming where X is an electron withdrawing group and LG is a leaving group; optionally in the presence of an antioxidant, so as to form a polyunsaturated ketone compound.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I?) wherein R6 is H, C1-6alkyl, —(CH2)pCOOH, —(CH2)pCOOC1-6alkyl, —(CH2)pCONH2, —(CH2)pCONHC1-6alkyl, —(CH2)pCON(C1-6alkyl)2, R7 is as defined for R6; or R6 and R7 taken together with the atoms joining them can form a 6-membered aromatic or non aromatic, saturated or unsaturated, carbocyclic or heteroatom containing (e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of certain polyunsaturated compounds employing a particular application of the Mitsonobu reaction in the presence of at least one anti-oxidant. We have found a method of making a pharmaceutically-acceptable polyunsaturated ester or thioester compound directly, which can ultimately be converted to the advantageous ketone compounds, in which unwanted oxidation and cis/trans isomerization are substantially reduced or eliminated using particular Mitsonobu chemistry.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) wherein X is O, C?O or S; Y is N or CH; R2 and R4 are each independently H, —(CH2)pCOOH, —(CH2)pCON(R5)2 or —(CH2)pCOOC1-6alkyl; or R2 and R4 together form a 6-membered phenyl ring fused to the five membered ring; each R1 is independently selected from H, halo (e.g. fluoro or chloro), C6-10aryl, C7-12arylalkyl, C2-12 alkenyl; OC1-12 alkyl, OC2-12 alkenyl or a C1-12 alkyl group; each R5 is H or C1-6 alkyl; each p is 0 to 3; n is 1 to 4; or a salt, ester, solvate, N-oxide, or prodrug thereof, e.g.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a polyunsaturated thiol comprising: (1) reacting a polyunsaturated alcohol in the presence of a compound of formula R2—SO2Hal wherein R2 is a C1-20 hydrocarbyl group, such an C1-10 alkyl group, to form a polyunsaturated sulphonyl ester; (2) converting the polyunsaturated sulphonyl ester to a polyunsaturated thioester by reacting with an anion of formula ?SC(?O)R4 wherein R4 is a C1-20 hydrocarbyl group; (3) converting the polyunsaturated thioester to form a polyunsaturated thiol optionally in the presence of an antioxidant, e.g. using a metal carbonate. (4) reacting said polyunsaturated thiol with a compound (LG)R3COX wherein X is an electron withdrawing group and R3 is an alkylene group carrying a leaving group (LG), such as LG-CH2— forming where X is an electron withdrawing group and LG is a leaving group; optionally in the presence of an antioxidant, so as to form a polyunsaturated ketone compound.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I?) wherein R6 is H, C1-6alkyl, —(CH2)pCOOH, —(CH2)pCOOC1-6alkyl, —(CH2)pCONH2, —(CH2)pCONHC1-6alkyl, —(CH2)pCON(C1-6alkyl)2, R7 is as defined for R6; or R6 and R7 taken together with the atoms joining them can form a 6-membered aromatic or non aromatic, saturated or unsaturated, carbocyclic or heteroatom containing (e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of certain polyunsaturated compounds employing a particular application of the Mitsonobu reaction in the presence of at least one anti-oxidant. We have found a method of making a pharmaceutically-acceptable polyunsaturated ester or thioester compound directly, which can ultimately be converted to the advantageous ketone compounds, in which unwanted oxidation and cis/trans isomerization are substantially reduced or eliminated using particular Mitsonobu chemistry.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) wherein X is O, C?O or S; Y is N or CH; R2 and R4 are each independently H, —(CH2)pCOOH, —(CH2)pCON(R5)2 or —(CH2)pCOOC1-6alkyl; or R2 and R4 together form a 6-membered phenyl ring fused to the five membered ring; each R1 is independently selected from H, halo (e.g. fluoro or chloro), C6-10aryl, C7-12arylalkyl, C2-12 alkenyl; OC1-12 alkyl, OC2-12 alkenyl or a C1-12 alkyl group; each R5 is H or C1-6 alkyl; each p is 0 to 3; n is 1 to 4; or a salt, ester, solvate, N-oxide, or prodrug thereof, e.g.