Zearalin ethers

A compound having the structural formula ##STR23## wherein Y may be a single bond or a double bond;

• A is selected from the group consisting of --CH.sub.2 --, >C.dbd.O, and >CH-OR.sub.1 ;
• R represents substituents on each of the aromatic rings in either the 2 or 4 positions, and is selected from the group consisting of --H and --OR.sub.1 ;
• R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl of from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, lower acyl of from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, monocyclic aryl of about 6 to 8 carbon atoms, monocyclic aralkyl in which the alkyl group has 1 to about 5 carbon atoms and the aryl group has about 6 to 8 carbon atoms;
• R.sub.2 represents a substituent common to each of the aromatic rings at either of the 2 or 4 positions which are not substituted by R, and is represented by the formula --OR.sub.3 O--, wherein R.sub.3 is a straight chain or branched chain hydrocarbon of from 1 to about 16 carbon atoms;
• and the substituents on the 3 and 5 positions are selected from the group consisting of H and halogen atoms.