2-(4-Nitrophenyl)succinic Acid can be useful in the preparation of aryl substituted 2-(4-nitrophenyl)-4-oxo-4-phenylbutanoates and 3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1-Ph-1,4-butanediols as inhibitors of rat liver microsomal retinoic acid metabolizing enzymes, preparation of 1-??, and 3-??substituted 3-??(4'-??aminophenyl)??pyrrolidine-??2,??5-??diones as selective inhibitors of aromatase, and preparation of diverse lactam carboxamides with potential transcription ??factor inhibitory activity.