Preparation of dl-2,3,4-trihydroxybutylarsonic acid and dl-2,3-dihydroxybutane-1,4-bis(arsonic acid): starting compounds for novel arsonolipids

The reaction of dl-1,3-butadiene diepoxide and of dl-1,4-dibromo-2,3-butanediol with aqueous alkaline sodium arsenite, “Na3AsO3”, gave mixtures of the title arsonic acids which can be separated by anion exchange resin. Characterization of by-products leads to a better understanding of these reactions. These compounds are valuable intermediates for the preparation of novel arsonic acids and bis(arsonic acids).