An unstable [t1/2 at 37 degrees = 32 +/- 2 (SD) sec] intermediate, thromboxane A2, was detected in the conversion of prostaglandin G2 into 8-(1-hydroxy-3-oxopropyl)-9,12L-dihydroxy-5,10-heptadecadienoic acid (thromboxane B2) in platelets. The intermediate was trapped by addition of methanol, ethanol, or sodium azide to suspensions of washed human platelets incubated for 30 sec with arachidonic acid or prostaglandin G2. The structures of the resulting derivatives demonstrated that the intermediate possessed an oxane ring as in thromboxane B2 but lacked its hemiacetal hydroxyl group. Additional experiments using 18O2 or [2H8]arachidonic acid in the formation of thromboxane B2 and CH3O2H for the trapping of thromboxane A2, together with information on the t1/2 of the intermediate, indicated the presence of an oxetane structure in thromboxane A2. Incubation of arachidonic acid or prostaglandin G2 with washed platelets led to formation of an unstable factor that induced irreversible platelet aggregation and caused release of [14C]serotonin from platelets that had been incubated with [14C]serotonin. The properties and the mode of formation of this factor indicated that it was identical with thromboxane A2. Furthermore, evidence is presented that the more unstable and major component of rabbit aorta contracting substance (RCS) formed in platelets and guinea pig lung is also thromboxane A2.