Triarylpyridylethanols and triarylpyridylethylenes. Chemistry and antifertility effects

Triarylpyridylethanols were prepared by condensing the corresponding diaryl ketones and diarylmethanes. The ethylenes were obtained by the acid-catalyzed elimination of H2O from the ethanols. In the absence of electron-donating substituents, acid treatment of the carbinols resulted in predominant cleavage to starting ketone. The compounds were tested for their antifertility effects in pregnant hamsters. The most active compound was carbinol 3, which, at 30 mg/kg, prevented all of the treated animals from maintaining their pregnancies.