The present invention relates to new specific enol esters of formula (I) as well as to a process for their production by acylation of the corresponding dihydroretinal analogue. In formula (I) R is —COR′ where R′ is a C.sub.1-C.sub.16 alkyl group.

##STR00001##

A method for preparing a compound of formula (I)

##STR00001## in which R1 is selected from H and alkyls, R2 is selected from H, alkyls, OR′ where R′ is selected from alkyls, silyls, CO-alkyl, R3 is selected from the acyl groups of the CO(R″) type, and the CO(OR″), CO(NR″R′″), PO(OR″)(OR′″), PO(OR″)(R′″) groups where R″ and R′″, independently of each other, are selected from H and alkyls, R represents a C(R4)═C(R5)(R6) group where R4, R5 and R6, independently of each other, are selected from H, linear or cyclic alkyls and alkenyls, aryls, alkylaryls, or R4 and R5 together form a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted ring, from a compound of formula (II)

##STR00002## or a compound of formula (ill)

##STR00003## in which, R, R1, R2 and R3 have the above definition.

This application relates to compounds prepared from cosmetically acceptable ingredients, methods of preparation thereof, and use thereof. Compounds are of formula (I) U—C—B, or salts thereof, wherein U, C and B are moieties of cosmetically acceptable ingredients U′, C′ and B′. In living tissues, the compounds can release at least one of U′, C′ and B′. The bond between C and U and/or between C and B is labile in living tissues. In particular, the compounds comprise moieties derived from salicylic acid, retinol and retinoic acid or nicotinic acid.

The present disclosure relates to biomimetic nanomaterials, compounds, compositions, and methods for delivery of therapeutic, diagnostic, or prophylactic agents (for example, a nucleic acid).

Processes for synthesizing new compounds that may usefully be employed in organic synthesis, especially in the synthesis of vitamin A or -carotene and derivatives thereof, e.g. canthaxanthin, astaxanthin or zeaxanthin are disclosed. The new compounds are especially useful as intermediates (building blocks) in the synthesis of vitamin A or -carotene, preferably vitamin A.

Processes for synthesizing new compounds that may usefully be employed in organic synthesis, especially in the synthesis of vitamin A or -carotene and derivatives thereof, e.g. canthaxanthin, astaxanthin or zeaxanthin are disclosed. The new compounds are especially useful as intermediates (building blocks) in the synthesis of vitamin A or -carotene, preferably vitamin A.

Disclosed are cationic lipids comprising a vitamin substructure and an ionizable nitrogen-containing group. Cationic lipids provided herein can be useful for delivery and expression of mRNA and encoded protein, e.g., as a component of liposomal delivery vehicle, and accordingly can be useful for treating various diseases, disorders and conditions, such as those associated with deficiency of one or more proteins.

Disclosed are cationic lipids comprising a vitamin substructure and an ionizable nitrogen-containing group. Cationic lipids provided herein can be useful for delivery and expression of mRNA and encoded protein, e.g., as a component of liposomal delivery vehicle, and accordingly can be useful for treating various diseases, disorders and conditions, such as those associated with deficiency of one or more proteins.

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.