A Mini-Review: Achievements in the Thiolysis of Epoxides

The β-hydroxy sulfides are an important class of organosulfur compounds that have a key role in the synthesis of bioactive compounds containing biological and natural products. The thiolysis of epoxides is the most common and best route for the synthesis of β-hydroxy sulfides. During the last decade, the applications of a diverse range of catalysts and promoter agents in green and organic mediums as well as under solvent-free conditions for the regioselective ring-opening reactions of epoxides with thiols in order to synthesize β-hydroxy sulfides have been studied by various research groups. This review is focused on the important achievements reported in the literature for the thiolysis of epoxides.