A series of compounds related to ethyl 4-benzyloxybenzoate was synthesized and evaluated for potential hypolipidemic activity in rats. Structure-activity relationships are discussed in terms of cholesterol-lowering activity together with effects on body weight gain and liver lipids. A number of the compounds inhibited cholesterol and free fatty acid biosynthesis from [l-14C] acetate in rat liver slices in vitro. Ethyl 4-benzyloxybenzoate, ...