PROCESS FOR PREPARING Y-MERCAPTOCARBOXYLIC ACID DERIVATIVES

摘要

.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 the lactones with thiocarboxylates in polar solvents and are converted into the .gamma.-mercaptocarboxylic acid derivatives by ring opening using nucleophilic reagents such as, for example, alkali metal alkoxides. The products are intermediates, for example for the synthesis of leucotriene antagonists.