A> erieh of dimet, hyl, trimethyl, hydrosymethyl, atid formyl derivatives of benz [a] anthracene structurally i, elated to i he cai, cinogenic 7-methy1-, 12-methyl-, and 7, 12-dimetjhylbenz [a] anthracene and to the adreno-(~ oi. ticolytic Th~ d~ osymethyl-l~-meth~ lbenz [a] aiithrac~ e~ ie were synthesized.> le; irtbstjitution outside the" criticnl" regioii (i,~., the 6, 7, X, and 12 pwitions) was shown to block sarcomagenic, activity when iii the 1, 2,:!, 4, aiiti 5 positioiis ( ...