Method of making a second olefm using a first olefin, comprising steps (A) and (B): (A) performing a metathesis reaction with the first olefm in the presence of a metal complex configured to catalyse said metathesis reaction; (B) epoxidizing an olefin contained in the reaction mixture obtained in step (A) to form an epoxide; and deoxygenizing said epoxide to form said second olefin.

The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) and to their use in treating or preventing an inflammatory disease or a disease associated with an undesirable immune response:

##STR00001## wherein R.sup.A1, R.sup.A2, R.sup.A3, R.sup.B, R.sup.C, R.sup.D, m, n and p are as defined herein.

The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) and to their use in treating or preventing an inflammatory disease or a disease associated with an undesirable immune response:

##STR00001## wherein R.sup.A1, R.sup.A2, R.sup.A3, R.sup.B, R.sup.C, R.sup.D, m, n and p are as defined herein.

The present invention provides a process for preparing a compound of the following general formula (2): wherein R.sup.1 represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, the process comprising: subjecting a compound of the following general formula (1): wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent, independently of each other, a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and the wavy bond represents an E-configuration, a Z-configuration, or a mixture thereof, to a Dieckmann condensation in the presence of base to form the compound (2). ##STR00001##

The present invention provides a process for preparing a compound of the following general formula (2): wherein R.sup.1 represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, the process comprising: subjecting a compound of the following general formula (1): wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent, independently of each other, a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and the wavy bond represents an E-configuration, a Z-configuration, or a mixture thereof, to a Dieckmann condensation in the presence of base to form the compound (2). ##STR00001##

The present invention provides a process for preparing a compound of the following general formula (2): wherein R.sup.1 represents a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, the process comprising: subjecting a compound of the following general formula (1): wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent, independently of each other, a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and the wavy bond represents an E-configuration, a Z-configuration, or a mixture thereof, to a Dieckmann condensation in the presence of base to form the compound (2). ##STR00001##

The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds found in Harderian gland secretions, a method of treating dry eye in a human comprising ophthalmically administering an effective amount of a compound, e.g. a lipid compound, found in Harderian gland secretions, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said lipid compounds, as identified by characteristic chemical data and mass spectra of said lipid compounds, said lipid compound in essentially pure form, and an ophthalmic vehicle comprising a therapeutic agent and a compound present in the secretions of the Harderian gland, e.g. a lipid compound, found in the secretions of the Harderian gland, e.g. a rabbit Harderian gland.

The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds found in Harderian gland secretions, a method of treating dry eye in a human comprising ophthalmically administering an effective amount of a compound, e.g. a lipid compound, found in Harderian gland secretions, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said lipid compounds, as identified by characteristic chemical data and mass spectra of said lipid compounds, said lipid compound in essentially pure form, and an ophthalmic vehicle comprising a therapeutic agent and a compound present in the secretions of the Harderian gland, e.g. a lipid compound, found in the secretions of the Harderian gland, e.g. a rabbit Harderian gland.

Method of making a second olefin using a first olefin, comprising steps (A) and (B): (A) performing a metathesis reaction with the first olefin in the presence of a metal complex configured to catalyse said metathesis reaction; (B) epoxidizing an olefin contained in the reaction mixture obtained in step (A) to form an epoxide; and deoxygenizing said epoxide to form said second olefin.

Method of making a second olefin using a first olefin, comprising steps (A) and (B): (A) performing a metathesis reaction with the first olefin in the presence of a metal complex configured to catalyse said metathesis reaction; (B) epoxidizing an olefin contained in the reaction mixture obtained in step (A) to form an epoxide; and deoxygenizing said epoxide to form said second olefin.