The synthesis of a series of pentadienoic and hexadienoic acid derivatives is reported. These compounds were tested as inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase (5 LO) and cyclooxygenase (CO) in vitro and as inhibitors of arachidonic acid (AA) induced ear edema in mice in vivo. Their potency is compared with that of the standard inhibitors nafazatrom, BW 755C, NDGA, KME4, quercetine, and L 652,243. The most potent compound in vivo, diethyl 2-hydroxy-5-(ethylthio)-2(Z),4(Z)-hexadienedioate (20) inhibited AA-induced ear edema when administered topically or orally, with an ED50 value of 0.01 mg/ear and 20 mg/kg, respectively. Among the standard compounds tested, L 652,243 was the most active compound in this test with an ED50 value of 0.01 mg/ear and 1 mg/kg po, but unlike this compound, 20 is a selective inhibitor of 5-LO (IC50 = 2 microM) without any significant activity against CO (IC50 greater than 50 microM). Most of the other compounds in this series are also selective 5-LO inhibitors.