Fifty five of the title compounds, e.g. (E)-RCOCH:CHCO2H [I; R = Ph, 2-HOC6H4, 4-FC6H4, 4-AcOC6H4, 2-O2NC6H4, 3,4-(HO)2C6H3, 3,4,5-(MeO)3C6H2, 2-furanyl, 2-thienyl, 3-indolyl] were prepared either by Friedel-Crafts acylation or a crotonic condensation.Thus, Friedel-Crafts acylation of PhMe with maleic anhydride and AlCl3-ClCH2CH2Cl gave 53% I (R = 4-MeC6H4).Alternatively, condensation of 3,4-(MeO)2C6H3COMe with HO2CCHO in HOAc gave 47% I [R = 3,4-(MeO)2C6H3].I [R = 2-MeOC6H4, 3,4-(MeO)2C6H3, 3,4,5-(MeO)3C6H2, 2-furanyl] have cytoprotective activity at a very low dose (0.6 mg/kg, p.o.) and antisecretory and antiulcer activity at higher doses.