A new convenient method has been developed for the synthesis of beta-hydroxy thioethers with aryl disulfides and zinc powder in the presence of catalytic amounts of Bi(OTf)3 and Bi(TFA)3 in acetonitrile. The present method is very simple and the conditions tolerate a variety of acid-sensitive protecting groups. On the other hand, alkyl or benzyl disulfides afforded no corresponding thioethers under similar conditions. Then the observed regio- and chemoselectivity can be considered as a noteworthy advantage of this method.
beta-hydroxy thioethers; epoxides; disulfides; Bi(III) compounds; zinc
