Molecular structure in relation to oestrogenic activity: derivatives of 4 : 4’-dihydroxydiphenylmethane

Abstract

The estrogenic activity of 4 classes of 4:4''-dihydroxydiphenylmethane derivatives was studied. Variation of activity in homologous series was found, and maximum potencies established. The relationships between structure and maximum potency was found parallel to those in other series of synthetic estrogens. The effect of me.thyl groups attached to the aromatic rings was investigated, and the results suggested a biological connection between these groups and other groups on the central carbon atom, since the effects varied in marked manner with alteration of the chain length of the central groups.