Synthesis and hypoglycemic activity of phenacyltriphenylphosphoranes and phosphonium salts

Phenacyl-riphenylphosphorane (1a) and several analogs substituted in the meta position of the phenacyl group lowered blood glucose levels in 48-hr fasted rats. The corresponding phosphonium salts had comparable hypoglycemic activity. Two compounds (1a and 1b) were also hypoglycemic in fed rats, but hypoglycemia could not be elicited in another species.