Compounds of the formula Y.sub.3 (R.sub.4)--X--Y.sub.1 (R.sub.1 R.sub.2)--Z--Y.sub.2 (R.sub.2)--A--B where the symbols have the meaning defined in the specification, have retinoid, retinoid antagonist or retinoid inverse agonist type biological activity.
式为 Y.sub.3 (R.sub.4)--X--Y.sub.1 (R.sub.1 R.sub.2)--Z--Y.sub.2 (R.sub.2)--A--B 的化合物具有
视黄醇、
视黄醇拮抗剂或
视黄醇反向激动剂类型的
生物活性,其中符号的意义在说明中定义。