Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025

Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
Published on: April 9, 2018
Thioglucose-derived tetrasulfide, a unique polysulfide model compound.
Stephen Lindahl1, Meg Shieh1, Tianli Zhang2
1Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
Researchers developed a novel carbohydrate-based polysulfide, thioglucose tetrasulfide (TGS4). This stable, water-soluble compound effectively releases hydrogen sulfide and persulfides, aiding redox biology research.
Area of Science:
- Redox Biology
- Carbohydrate Chemistry
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- Polysulfides are crucial precursors to hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and persulfides, increasingly important in redox biology.
- Current research is limited by the availability of suitable polysulfide compounds, primarily derived from cysteine and glutathione.
- A need exists for novel polysulfide donors for broader biological investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel carbohydrate-derived polysulfide.
- To evaluate the potential of this new compound as a tool for studying polysulfide-related biological processes.
- To assess its stability, solubility, and biological activity.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of thioglucose tetrasulfide (TGS4) from thioglucose.
- Assessment of TGS4's stability and water solubility.
- Evaluation of H₂S and persulfide production from TGS4 in biological systems.
- Measurement of cellular sulfane sulfur levels and antioxidant properties.
Main Results:
- Successfully prepared and characterized thioglucose tetrasulfide (TGS4), the first carbohydrate-based polysulfide.
- TGS4 demonstrated high stability and excellent water solubility.
- TGS4 effectively released H₂S and persulfides, exhibiting antioxidant properties.
- TGS4 significantly increased cellular sulfane sulfur levels, promoting hydropersulfide/trisulfide formation.
Conclusions:
- Thioglucose tetrasulfide (TGS4) is a novel, stable, and water-soluble carbohydrate-based polysulfide.
- TGS4 serves as an effective donor of H₂S and persulfides, with demonstrated antioxidant capacity.
- TGS4 represents a valuable new tool for advancing research in polysulfide biology and redox signaling.
More Related Videos
09:16Synthesis of Terpolymers at Mild Temperatures Using Dynamic Sulfur Bonds in PolyS-Divinylbenzene
Published on: May 20, 2019
08:50Preparation of Large-area Vertical 2D Crystal Hetero-structures Through the Sulfurization of Transition Metal Films for Device Fabrication
Published on: November 28, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Structure and Nomenclature of Thiols and Sulfides
Preparation and Reactions of Thiols
Exceptions to the Octet Rule
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals II
Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...