Synthesis and Hydrogen Sulfide Releasing Properties of Diaminodisulfides and Dialkoxydisulfides.

Heterosubstituted disulfides are an understudied class of molecules that have been used in biological studies, but they have not been investigated for their ability to release hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The synthesis of two sets of chemicals with the diaminodisulfide (NSSN) and dialkoxydisulfide (OSSO) functional groups was reported. These chemicals were synthesized from commercially available sulfur monochloride or a simple disulfur transfer reagent. Both the diaminodisulfide and dialkoxydisulfide functional groups were found to have rapid rates of H2S release in the presence of excess thiol. The release of H2S was complete with 10 min, and the only byproducts were conversion of the thiols into disulfides and the amines or alcohols originally used in the synthesis of the diaminodisulfide or dialkoxydisulfide functional groups. These results will allow the design of H2S releasing chemicals that also release natural, biocompatible alcohols or amines. Chemicals with the diaminodisulfide and dialkoxydisulfide functional groups may find applications in medicine where a controlled, burst release of H2S is needed.