The present invention relates to a class of fatty acid compounds, a preparation method thereof and use thereof. The fatty acid compounds have the structure of the formula I, which has the ability to activate APMK and inhibit the glucose output in mouse primary hepatocytes. The fatty acid compounds can be used in preparing a medicament for the treatment of obesity or diabetes.

##STR00001##

Disclosed herein are palladium-catalyzed dehydrogenation processes of carboxylic acids to make ?, ?-unsaturated carboxylic acids or ?-alkylidene butenolides. The processes allow the chemoselective dehydrogenation of carboxylic acids in the presence of other enolizable functionalities such as ketones, providing reactivity that is inaccessible with existing carbonyl desaturation protocols.

Disclosed herein are palladium-catalyzed dehydrogenation processes of carboxylic acids to make ?, ?-unsaturated carboxylic acids or ?-alkylidene butenolides. The processes allow the chemoselective dehydrogenation of carboxylic acids in the presence of other enolizable functionalities such as ketones, providing reactivity that is inaccessible with existing carbonyl desaturation protocols.

Citraconic acid (CA) or derivative thereof for use as medicament, for example in the treatment of a medical condition associated with inflammation. In another aspect, the invention relates to a citraconic acid derivative according to formulae 1-XIII. In another aspect, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising citraconic acid or derivative thereof with one or more pharmaceutical excipients for use in the treatment of a medical condition, such as those associated with inflammation and/or a non-inflammation associated medical condition.

Citraconic acid (CA) or derivative thereof for use as medicament, for example in the treatment of a medical condition associated with inflammation. In another aspect, the invention relates to a citraconic acid derivative according to formulae 1-XIII. In another aspect, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising citraconic acid or derivative thereof with one or more pharmaceutical excipients for use in the treatment of a medical condition, such as those associated with inflammation and/or a non-inflammation associated medical condition.