Misoprostol, a 15-deoxy-16-hydroxy-16-methyl analog of PGE1, is an effective agent for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. Efforts to impede metabolic degradation of the alpha chain of misoprostol led to the discovery of a second clinical candidate in this series. Enisoprost, a delta 4Z derivative of misoprostol, is more potent as a gastric antisecretory agent and longer acting than misoprostol. These findings prompted further work to determine the effects that two double bonds in the alpha chain might have on the activity profile of misoprostol. The most promising structure in this series was a 1:1 mixture of 3E,5Z and 3Z,5Z dienes which was about three times more potent than misoprostol in inhibiting gastric secretion in dogs, while the separation of the diarrheogenic effect was significantly improved. Chromatographic separation of the mixture was very difficult, but small amounts of each isomer were obtained by HPLC, and preliminary antisecretory studies indicated that most of the activity resided in the 3E,5Z isomer. A stereospecific synthesis of the 3E,5Z isomer was carried out to provide sufficient quantities for complete pharmacological assessment. The 3E,5Z diene was about three times more potent than misoprostol in inhibiting gastric acid secretion in dogs and also in producing diarrhea in rats.