.alpha..alpha.-TREHALOSE-6,6'-MEDIUM CHAINED LENGHT ALIPHATIC ACID DIESTER AND A PHARMACEUTICAL AGENT CONTAINING THE SAME

摘要

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREDisclosed herein is a novel .alpha.,.alpha.-trehalose-6,6'-medium chain length aliphatic acid diesterrepresented by the following formula (I):(I)in which n represents an integer from 6 to 10.This compound is produced, for instance, byconverting .alpha.,.alpha.-trehalose into 2,3,2',3'-tetra-o-benzyl-.alpha.,.alpha.-trehalose, and then reacting it with a mediumchain length aliphatic acid or an active derivativethereof to form a novel intermediate 2,3,2',3'-tetra-o-benzyl-.alpha.,.alpha.-trehalose-6,6'- medium chain lengthaliphatic acid diester and further reductively de-benzylating it using a reduction catalyst. The compoundaccording to the invention has an excellent antitumoractivity, antibiotic activity and action for delayed-type hypersensitivity, and is useful forpharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutical agents containing an.alpha.,.alpha.-trehalose-6,6'-medium chain length aliphatic aciddiester of the formula (I) as an effective ingredientare also disclosed.