NEW MATERIAL:A compound expressed by formula I [R1, R2 and R3 and X are H or straight chain or branched alkyl, 3W10C cycloalkyl which may have a substituent group or phenyl; further R2, R3 and X are 7W12C aralkyl which may have a substituent group; R2 and R3 together form 4W6C alkylene; X is COR4 (R4 is the respective groups in R2 and R3 except H and alkylene)] and a salt thereof.
EXAMPLE: β-p-Chlorophenyl-α-p-methylbenzoylthiomethyl-γ-butyrolactone.
USE: An immunological regulating agent of very low toxicity useful for treating autoimmune diseases, e.g. rheumatic arthritis, nephritis or systemic lupus erythematosus, and malignant tumors, hyperinfection, etc. due to immunological hypofunction.
PREPARATION: A compound expressed by formula II (R5 is 1W5C straight chain or branched alkyl) is treated with a compound of the formula R4COSM2 (M2 is alkali metal) in a suitable solvent to afford the aimed compound of formula I (X is COR4).
MORINAKA YASUHIRO
KADOWAKI SHIYUUICHIROU
