Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides02:26

Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides

5.5K
Sulfides are the sulfur analog of ethers, just as thiols are the sulfur analog of alcohol. Like ethers, sulfides also consist of two hydrocarbon groups bonded to the central sulfur atom. Depending upon the type of groups present, sulfides can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical sulfides can be prepared via an SN2 reaction between 2 equivalents of an alkyl halide and one equivalent of sodium sulfide.
5.5K
Sulfur Assimilation01:20

Sulfur Assimilation

223
Sulfur is an essential element in biological systems, contributing to synthesizing key biomolecules, including amino acids such as cysteine and methionine, and cofactors such as coenzyme A and biotin. Microorganisms primarily assimilate sulfur as sulfate (SO₄²⁻) from the environment, which must undergo a series of biochemical transformations before it can be incorporated into cellular components. As sulfate is highly oxidized, it must undergo assimilatory sulfate reduction to...
223
Structure and Nomenclature of Thiols and Sulfides02:17

Structure and Nomenclature of Thiols and Sulfides

5.5K
Thiols and sulfides are sulfur analogs of alcohols and ethers, respectively, where the sulfur atom takes the place of the oxygen atom. Thus, thiols are generally represented as RSH, where R is an alkyl substituent and —SH is the functional group. On the other hand, in sulfides, the central sulfur atom is bonded to two hydrocarbon groups on either side. Depending upon the type of group, sulfides can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical. Both thiols and sulfides display a bent geometry,...
5.5K
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Sulfonation of Benzene01:22

Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Sulfonation of Benzene

7.4K
Sulfonation of benzene is a reaction wherein benzene is treated with fuming sulfuric acid at room temperature to produce benzenesulfonic acid. Fuming sulfuric acid is a mixture of sulfur trioxide and concentrated sulfuric acid.
7.4K
The Sulfur Cycle01:22

The Sulfur Cycle

51.4K
Sulfur, an important element in the chemical makeup of proteins, is recycled through the atmosphere and aquatic and terrestrial environments. Found in the atmosphere as sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfur is released by decaying organisms, weathered rocks, geothermal vents, volcanos, and burning fossil fuels. It is deposited into the ecosystem, cycled through the biotic community, and either released back into the atmosphere as gas or deposited in marine sediment for long-term storage and eventual...
51.4K
Exceptions to the Octet Rule02:55

Exceptions to the Octet Rule

36.2K
Many covalent molecules have central atoms that do not have eight electrons in their Lewis structures. These molecules fall into three categories:
36.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Synchrotron X-rays elucidate the intracellular storage of the iodide and bromide antioxidant system in the kelp Laminaria digitata.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2026
Same author

Exploring the fascination of metal-sulfur bonds, vivid colors, and electron transfer through proteins: A tribute to Harry B. Gray.

Journal of inorganic biochemistry·2025
Same author

The power supply for biological nitrogen fixation.

Nature chemical biology·2024
Same author

Nature's nitrite-to-ammonia expressway, with no stop at dinitrogen.

Journal of biological inorganic chemistry : JBIC : a publication of the Society of Biological Inorganic Chemistry·2021
Same author

A [3Cu:2S] cluster provides insight into the assembly and function of the Cu<sub>Z</sub> site of nitrous oxide reductase.

Chemical science·2021
Same author

Histidine-Gated Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer to the Cu<sub>A</sub> Site of Nitrous Oxide Reductase.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2020

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 10, 2025

Synthesis of Terpolymers at Mild Temperatures Using Dynamic Sulfur Bonds in PolyS-Divinylbenzene
09:16

Synthesis of Terpolymers at Mild Temperatures Using Dynamic Sulfur Bonds in PolyS-Divinylbenzene

Published on: May 20, 2019

8.0K

Sulfur, the Versatile Non-metal.

Martha E Sosa Torres, Alfonso Rito Morales, Alejandro Solano Peralta

    Metal Ions in Life Sciences
    |August 28, 2020
    PubMed
    Summary

    Sulfur is a vital element for life, playing key roles in biochemistry and energy conservation through its diverse chemical properties and compounds. Its unique reactivity enables crucial biological processes and catalysis, highlighting its fundamental importance.

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry and Geochemistry
    • Element Abundance and Properties

    Background:

    • Sulfur is the fifth most common element on Earth and tenth in the universe.
    • Inorganic sulfur forms include elemental sulfur, sulfate, and sulfide.
    • Sulfur's variable oxidation states (+6 to -2) are crucial for its biological roles.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore the multifaceted roles of sulfur in biochemistry and life.
    • To highlight sulfur's importance in biomolecules, microbial metabolism, and catalysis.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of sulfur's chemical properties and occurrence in biomolecules.
    • Examination of sulfur's involvement in microbial energy conservation pathways.
    • Analysis of transition metal sulfur complexes and enzyme catalysis.

    More Related Videos

    Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
    12:30

    Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework

    Published on: April 9, 2018

    9.5K
    Preparation of Large-area Vertical 2D Crystal Hetero-structures Through the Sulfurization of Transition Metal Films for Device Fabrication
    08:50

    Preparation of Large-area Vertical 2D Crystal Hetero-structures Through the Sulfurization of Transition Metal Films for Device Fabrication

    Published on: November 28, 2017

    9.5K

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Dec 10, 2025

    Synthesis of Terpolymers at Mild Temperatures Using Dynamic Sulfur Bonds in PolyS-Divinylbenzene
    09:16

    Synthesis of Terpolymers at Mild Temperatures Using Dynamic Sulfur Bonds in PolyS-Divinylbenzene

    Published on: May 20, 2019

    8.0K
    Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
    12:30

    Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework

    Published on: April 9, 2018

    9.5K
    Preparation of Large-area Vertical 2D Crystal Hetero-structures Through the Sulfurization of Transition Metal Films for Device Fabrication
    08:50

    Preparation of Large-area Vertical 2D Crystal Hetero-structures Through the Sulfurization of Transition Metal Films for Device Fabrication

    Published on: November 28, 2017

    9.5K

    Main Results:

    • Sulfur is integral to enzymes, proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites.
    • Microbial sulfur metabolism provides insights into energy conservation.
    • Sulfur complexes are key in metalloenzymes for activating inert molecules and catalyzing organic transformations.

    Conclusions:

    • Sulfur's versatile chemistry makes it a fundamental element for life.
    • Evolution has effectively utilized sulfur's properties for essential biological functions.
    • Further study of sulfur metabolism and catalysis continues to advance biological understanding.