Synthesis of three potential inhibitors of leukotriene biosynthesis

The syntheses of 7,7-dimethyl- (1), 10,10-dimethyl- (2), and 5,6-benzoarachidonic acid (3), potential substrate analogue inhibitors of leukotriene biosynthesis, are described. Two of these compounds (1 and 2) apparently stimulated, while 3 inhibited, the activity of lipoxygenase from intact human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro when stimulated with Ca2+ and calcium ionophore A23187 in the presence of BSA and arachidonic acid.