A new synthetic route for the preparation of β-acyloxy mercaptans via the addition of thioacids to epoxides

A new synthetic route for the preparation of S-benzylated β-acyloxy mercaptans starting from the one-pot reaction of thioacids and epoxides using a silica gel/Et3N combined catalyst is described. The thiol functionality in the crude product is then protected via benzylation and the corresponding thioethers are isolated after chromatography.