(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.