Compounds of the formula ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, independently are alkyl groups having 2 to 8 carbons; R.sub.3 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; X is S, O or N--R.sub.4 where R.sub.4 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; Y is phenyl or pyridyl, thienyl, furyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, and pyrazinyl; A is (CH.sub.2).sub.n where n is 0-5, or lower branched chain alkyl, alkenyl having 2 to 6 carbons and 1 or 2 double bonds, alkynyl having 2 to 6 carbons and 1 or 2 triple bonds; B is hydrogen, COOH or a salt thereof, COOR.sub.5, CONR.sub.6 R.sub.7, --CH.sub.2 OH, CH.sub.2 OR.sub.8, CH.sub.2 OCOR.sub.8, CHO, CH(OR.sub.9).sub.2, CHOR.sub.10 O, --COR.sub.11, CR.sub.11 (OR.sub.9).sub.2, or CR.sub.11 OR.sub.10 O, where R.sub.5 is alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons, or cycloalkyl of 5 to 10 carbons, or R.sub.5 is phenyl or lower alkylphenyl, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 independently are hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons, or cycloalkyl of 5 to 10 carbons, or phenyl or lower alkylphenyl, R.sub.8 is alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons, phenyl or lower alkylphenyl, R.sub.9 is lower alkyl, R.sub.10 is divalent alkyl radical of 2-5 carbons and R.sub.11 is alkyl, cycloalkyl or alkenyl containing 1 to 5 carbons, have retinoic acid like activity.