Abstract Friedel Crafts reaction of itaconic anhydride (III) with 2, 4-difluorobiphenyl (II) afforded unsaturated acid IV which was hydrogenated to give 4-(2', 4'-difluorobiphenyl-4-yl)- 2-methyl-4-oxobutanoic acid (I). A series of functional derivatives and salts of the acid I has been prepared. The antiinflammatory effect of these compounds was compared with that of acid I using selected experimental inflammation models. The analgesic activity in the ...