10.1021/ja01649a029
The research aims to explore the synthesis of dimethyl-(α-hydroxy-β-propiothetin) hydrochloride (IIb) and related compounds as part of a broader study on sulfonium compounds as potential lipotropic agents. The researchers used various routes to synthesize IIb, including reactions of dimethyl sulfide with epoxides and acid-catalyzed reactions with lactones. Key chemicals involved include dimethyl sulfide, hydrogen chloride, ethylene oxide, potassium glycidate, ethyl glycidate, and methyl glycidate. The study found that while sulfonium compounds could be obtained from these reactions, yields were generally low (10 to 20%), likely due to competing reactions such as epoxide ring cleavage by hydrogen chloride. The researchers also synthesized related compounds like sulfocholine hydrochloride (IIa), (2-hydroxy-2-carbethoxy)-ethyldimethylsulfonium chloride (IIc), and (1,1-dimethyl-2-hydroxy-2-carbomethoxy)-ethyldimethylsulfonium chloride (IId) through similar methods. The study concludes that while the synthesis of these compounds is feasible, improving yields remains a challenge, and further research is needed to optimize the reaction conditions and explore alternative synthetic routes.