Regioselective ring opening of 1-trifluoromethyl epoxy ethers 2 was achieved with alkyl and phenyl sodium thiolates to afford new 3-(alkylthio and phenylthio)-1,1,1-trifluoroalkan-2-ones 3-5 in good yields.
α-Thiophenyl ketones are easily available by the regioselective ring-opening of 1-trifluoromethyl-epoxy ethers with phenyl sodium thiolate. Their in situ reduction with NaBH4, followed by oxidation with NaIO4 and thermal decomposition of the resultant sulphoxides, provided allylic trifluoromethyl alcohols in high overall yield.