[A convenient synthesis of retinal derivatives with a modified trimethylcyclohexene ring]

A method of simultaneous one-stage synthesis of three retinal derivatives (5,6-dioxo-5,6-seco-, 5,6-dihydro-5,6-epoxy-, and 4-oxoretinal) was proposed, with the yield of the first derivative being approximately 50%. These compounds are useful tools for studying the antitumor activity of retinoids, the reconstituted bacteriorhodopsin analogues with changed parameters of photocycle, and the reactivity of retinal derivatives in the processes of oxidation by molecular oxygen. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2002, vol. 28, no. 6; see also http://www.maik.ru.