Synthesis of ?-Trimethylsilyloxythioethers and ?-Hydroxythioethers by the Reaction of Epoxides with Aryl- and Alkylthiotrimethylsilanes

Abstract
As part of our research into methods for the synthesis of leukotrienes (LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4)1, important natural mediators of allergic asthma, we have sought to develop mild and stereo-selective procedures for the preparation of complex β-hydroxythio-ethers. We have recently described the reaction of the S-trimethylsilyl derivative of N-trifluoroacetylglutathione dimethyl ester with the highly reactive epoxide, leukotriene A4, as a key step in the synthesis of LTC4 2. We now wish to report on the general synthetic utility and some mechanistic aspects of this novel reaction.