Design and synthesis of guanidine-containing novel retinoids

Guanidine-containing new retinoids 1–4 were synthesized through the addition of guanidine to the activated carboxylic acids (retinoids) promoted by carbonyldiimidazole (CDI). A set of structurally and functionally diverse guanidine derivatives of retinoids were obtained in high yields (78–82%). We are in the process of studying the biological effect of these molecules on retinoic acid signaling pathways.