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Perthionitrite-Induced Persulfidation in Binuclear Cobalt(II) Complexes§
Anuj Baran Chakraborty1, Rajib Hazra1, Amit Majumdar1
1School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata700032, West Bengal, India.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|July 30, 2026
Summary
This study shows that perthionitrite (SSNO-) can effectively persulfidate sulfhydryl groups. This finding reveals a new mechanism for persulfidation, potentially important in biological systems.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Chemical Biology
Background:
- Persulfidation of thiols is a crucial physiological process.
- The mechanisms and mediators of biological persulfidation are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of dicobalt(II)-nitrito complexes in generating persulfidated species.
- To explore the potential of perthionitrite (SSNO-) as a mediator in persulfidation reactions.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of dicobalt(II)-nitrito complexes.
- Reaction of complexes with thiols (RC(O)SH) to form persulfidated products.
- Structural and spectroscopic analysis of intermediates and final products.
Main Results:
- Dicobalt(II)-nitrito complexes reacted with thiols to yield persulfidated complexes and nitric oxide.
- Perthionitrite (SSNO-) was identified as a key intermediate species.
- SSNO- effectively mediated the persulfidation of thiocarboxylate intermediates.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates that SSNO- can effectively mediate the persulfidation of sulfhydryl functional groups.
- This finding suggests a novel biological role for SSNO- in persulfidation processes.
- Provides new insights into sulfur-nitrogen crosstalk in biological systems.
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