(2-Alkyl-1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)carboxylic acids as potential hypolipidemic agents

1,2-Diphenols reacted with 2-alkyl-3-chloro-1,2-epoxypropane to give a mixture of 1,4-benzodioxane, V, and 1,5-benzodioxepine, VII, alcohols. From potassium permanganate oxidation of benzodioxane compounds V the corresponding (2-alkyl-1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)carboxylic acids II were obtained. In a preliminary pharmacological evaluation benzodioxane acids II did not show any effect on plasma cholesterol, while producing a moderate lowering of triglycerides.