Intramolecular sulfur-assisted NaBH4 reduction of esters synthesis of 5-oxo-ETE and 5-oxo-12-HETE

Ester groups are reduced very efficiently in sulfur-containing molecules situated at close proximity to the ester group. We have used this procedure to regioselectively, efficiently and in high yield reduce an ester group in the presence of another ester group further removed from the sulfur atom.