The action of bromine in acetic acid on phenyl 2-tetrahydropyryl sulfide (11) results in the formation of di (4bromophenyl) disulfide (111) and a crystalline dibromide, CbH8O2Br2 (IV). As the latter had unusual chemical and pharmacological properties its structure establishment was undertaken. Reduction of IV with lithium aluminum hydride led to 2, 2- dibromo-1, 5-pentandi) 1 (VI), which could be readily hydrolyzed to 2-keto-l, 5-pentandiol ( ...
