An Unexpected Access to a New Sphingoid Base Containing a Vinyl Sulfide Unit

Abstract

An unexpected access to a new sphingoid base containing a vinyl sulfide unit is described. The process involves the 'onepot' regioselective opening of an epoxide with a thiolate, followed by intramolecular acyl transfer, base-promoted elimination, and final hydrolysis. Excess sodium hydride and high dilution conditions are required for optimal yields. The process is amenable to a variety of thiolates. The resulting compounds can be regarded as new hybrid sphingoid bases that combine some structural motifs present in other reported sphingolipid analogues.