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.