Trimethylene oxide is cleaved by sulfur anions in the same manner as is ethylene oxide although at a much slower rate. The reaction of thiophenol and aliphatic mercaptans proceeds smoothly in alkaline solution to give good yields of 3-hydroxypropyl sulfides, whereas no reaction occurs with tetrahydrofuran. The reactions of trimethylene oxide are strongly catalyzed by acids. A kinetic study of the reaction with aqueous sodium thiosulfate ...
