Abstract: To provide novel steroid derivatives having an antitumor action which can be synthesized efficiently and stereoselectively by means of synthetic organic chemistry. A steroid derivative represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 13 carbon atoms, A is a hydroxyl group or a group easily hydrolyzable to a hydroxyl group, X and Y together form an oxo group or an alkylenedioxy group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, X is a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a group easily hydrolyzable to a hydroxyl group, Y is a hydrogen atom or an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, with the proviso that when X is a hydroxyl group or a group easily hydrolyzable to a hydroxyl group, Y is a hydrogen atom, and when X is an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, Y is an alkoxy group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A naphthothiopyranone derivative represented by the formula: ##STR1## (wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms) and an acid addition salt thereof have more excellent antagonist effect at serotonin 3 receptors than the prior art compounds and the effects based thereon, e.g. anti-vomiting effect, gastrointestinal movement regulating effect and anti-anxiety effect.

Abstract: N-substituted amide derivative represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein A is --CH(OH)-- or --C(.dbd.O)--, R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or an lkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and R.sup.2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, are disclosed. These compounds are useful for prevention and therapy for liver diseases.

Abstract: Novel styrene derivatives of the general formula ##STR1## wherein X is hydrogen or halogen, X.sup.1 is halogen, R is hydrogen or methyl, Y is hydroxymethyl, carboxyl, --COOR.sup.1 or --COR.sup.2 wherein R.sup.1 is prenyl, geranyl, farnesyl, cyclohexyl, phthalidyl, straight or branched chain alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or said alkyl substituted with hydroxy, methoxy, pyridyl or alkanoyloxy having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, and R.sup.2 is amino, hydroxyamino mono-(or di-)alkylamino in which the alkyl moiety contains 1 or 2 carbon atoms, ethoxycarbonylmethylamino, carboxymethylamino, thiazolylamino, cyclohexylamino, pyridylamino, morpholino, N-methylpiperazino, phenylamino, phenylamino substituted with one or two of halogen, hydroxy, methyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl or carboxyl at the phenyl ring, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof when Y is carboxyl are disclosed. These compounds exhibit high and long-lasting anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic activity.

Abstract: A process for producing 1-(p-prenylphenyl)ethanol, which comprises reacting p-chloroprenylbenzene with magnesium at a temperature between 100.degree. C. and 150.degree. C. to form a Grignard reagent, and then reacting it with acetaldehyde.

Abstract: A process for producing an .alpha.-arylalkanoic acid ester represented by the general formula ##STR1## wherein Ar represents an aryl group which may optionally be substituted, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, independently from each other, represent a lower alkyl group,which comprises reacting a Grignard reagent prepared from an aryl halide of the general formulaAr--X.sup.1 (II)wherein Ar is as defined above and X.sup.1 represents a halogen atom,and magnesium, with an .alpha.-haloalkanoic acid ester of the general formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are as defined above, and X.sup.2 represents a halogen atom,said reaction of the Grignard reagent with the .alpha.-haloalkanoic acid ester of general formula (III) being carried out in the presence of a nickel compound.

Abstract: A novel carboxylic acid ester having the following general formula ##STR1## wherein R is alkoxyalkyl having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having 5 or 6 carbon atoms, tetrahydrofurfuryl, or alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms optionally substituted with 1 or 2 hydroxyl groups, is a useful anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent.