| abstract |
gamma -Mercaptocarboxylic acids and their derivatives, in particular esters and amides, are prepared from gamma -butyrolactones via the corresponding thiolactones. The thiolactones are obtained by reaction of a gamma -lactone with thiocarboxylates in polar solvents and are converted by ring opening using nucleophilic reagents, such as, alkali metal alkoxides, into the gamma -mercaptocarboxylic acid derivatives. These are intermediates, for example, for the synthesis of leucotriene antagonists. |