A nanosized complex includes a nucleic acid and a compound comprising formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is an alkylamino group or a group containing at least one aromatic group; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently an aliphatic group or hydrophobic group; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently H, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an acyl group, or an aromatic group, or a polymer, a targeting group, a detectable moiety, or a linker, or a combination thereof, and at least one of R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 includes a retinoid or retinoid derivative that targets and/or binds to an interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein; a, b, c, and d are independently an integer from 1 to 10; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

A nanosized complex includes a nucleic acid and a compound comprising formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is an alkylamino group or a group containing at least one aromatic group; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently an aliphatic group or hydrophobic group; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently H, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an acyl group, or an aromatic group, or a polymer, a targeting group, a detectable moiety, or a linker, or a combination thereof, and at least one of R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 includes a retinoid or retinoid derivative that targets and/or binds to an interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein; a, b, c, and d are independently an integer from 1 to 10; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

A method for producing derivatives of N-retinoylaminoalkane sulfonic acid, the method comprising providing retinoic acid, chloroformate, aminoalkanesulfonic acid selected from the group consisting of cysteic acid and alkyl ester thereof, cysteinesulfinic acid and alkyl ester thereof, homocysteic acid and alkyl ester thereof, homocysteinesulfinic acid and alkyl esters thereof, taurine and derivatives thereof, and an organic solvent, and a base, mixing said components under substantial absence of oxidizing compounds thereby forming a reaction mixture comprising a liquid phase, wherein the liquid phase is one phase and the derivatives of N-retinoylaminoalkane sulfonic acid are formed in said liquid phase.

The compound represented by formula (IV) or a salt thereof has an inhibitory action on an abscisic acid receptor. The compound or the salt thereof can be used as a plant growth regulator. ##STR00001##
wherein X is an ethylene group, an ethenylene group or an ethynylene group, R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, a phenyl group or a naphthyl group, and the phenyl group and naphthyl group each optionally have a substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 alkyl group substituted with a halogen atom, a C1-6 alkoxy group, an acetyl group, an amino group, an acetylamino group, a phenyl group and a pentafluorosulfanyl group.

The compound represented by formula (IV) or a salt thereof has an inhibitory action on an abscisic acid receptor. The compound or the salt thereof can be used as a plant growth regulator. ##STR00001##
wherein X is an ethylene group, an ethenylene group or an ethynylene group, R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, a phenyl group or a naphthyl group, and the phenyl group and naphthyl group each optionally have a substituent selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 alkyl group substituted with a halogen atom, a C1-6 alkoxy group, an acetyl group, an amino group, an acetylamino group, a phenyl group and a pentafluorosulfanyl group.

A double conjugate molecule made of a retinoid, an organic acid, particularly an a-hydroxy acid, and an alcohol or acyl group, is provided which is useful in treating skin conditions, particularly aging. The retinoid, organic acid, and alcohol/acyl group are preferably linked via ester bonds.

A double conjugate molecule made of a retinoid, an organic acid, particularly an a-hydroxy acid, and an alcohol or acyl group, is provided which is useful in treating skin conditions, particularly aging. The retinoid, organic acid, and alcohol/acyl group are preferably linked via ester bonds.

Compositions of and methods for using synthetic retinal derivatives as retinoid replacements and opsin agonists are provided.

Compositions of and methods for using synthetic retinal derivatives as retinoid replacements and opsin agonists are provided.

A method for producing derivatives of N-retinoylaminoalkane sulfonic acid, the method comprising providing retinoic acid, chloroformate, aminoalkanesulfonic acid selected from the group consisting of cysteic acid and alkyl ester thereof, cysteinesulfinic acid and alkyl ester thereof, homocysteic acid and alkyl ester thereof, homocysteinesulfinic acid and alkyl esters thereof, taurine and derivatives thereof, and an organic solvent, and a base, mixing said components under substantial absence of oxidizing compounds thereby forming a reaction mixture comprising a liquid phase, wherein the liquid phase is one phase and the derivatives of N-retinoylaminoalkane sulfonic acid are formed in said liquid phase.