Preparation of 2,3,4-Trihydroxybutylarsonic Acid: A Starting Compound for Novel Arsonolipids

Abstract

Possible routes for the preparation of 2,3,4-trihydroxybutylarsonic acid, a key compound for the synthesis of novel arsonolipids, were experimentally evaluated. The best substrate was found to be 3,4-epoxybutane-1,2-diol. Its reaction with alkaline sodium arsenite, “Na ₃ AsO ₃ ,” gave the arsonic acid in ∼ 50% yield, as two pairs of diastereoisomers, each pair being a racemic mixture.

Keywords:

• 2,3,4-Trihydroxybutylarsonic acids
• 3,4-epoxy-1-butene
• 3,4-epoxybutane-1,2-diol
• 3,4-butene-1,2-diol
• 1,3-butadiene diepoxide
• chloramine T
• trichloroisocyanuric acid