Ethylenebis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methylimidazolium) Chlorochromate (<Emphasis Type="Italic">EBMICC</Emphasis>): An Efficient and Selective Reagent for the Oxidation of Thiols to Disulfides

Summary. Ethylenebis(N-methylimidazolium) chlorochromate was prepared by addition of N-methylimidazole to 1,2-dibromoethane to form the corresponding dibromide salt and subsequent treatment of this salt with CrO₃ in 6N HCl solution. It is a stable yellow-orange solid, which oxidized thiols to the corresponding disulfides at room temperature. Selective oxidation of thiols in the presence of sulfides and hydroxyl groups was also achieved with this reagent.     

Development of Odorless Thiols and Sulfides and Their Applications to Organic Synthesis

Summary. Development of new odorless thiols (dodecanethiol, 4-n-heptylphenylmethanethiol, 4-trimethylsilylphenylmethanethiol, 4-trimethylsilylbenzenethiol) and an odorless sulfide (1-methylsulfanyldodecane) and their applications to dealkylation, Michael addition, Swern oxidation, and Corey-Kim oxidation are described.     

Kinetic Resolution of sec‐Thiols by Enantioselective Oxidation with Rationally Engineered 5‐(Hydroxymethyl)furfural Oxidase

Various flavoprotein oxidases were recently shown to oxidize primary thiols. Herein, this reactivity is extended to sec‐thiols by using structure‐guided engineering of 5‐(hydroxymethyl)furfural oxidase (HMFO). The variants obtained were employed for the oxidative kinetic resolution of racemic sec‐thiols, thus yielding the corresponding thioketones and nonreacted R‐configured thiols with excellent enantioselectivities (E≥200). The engineering strategy applied went beyond the classic approach of replacing bulky amino acid residues with smaller ones, as the active site was additionally enlarged by a newly introduced Thr residue. This residue established a hydrogen‐bonding interaction with the substrates, as verified in the crystal structure of the variant. These strategies unlocked HMFO variants for the enantioselective oxidation of a range of sec‐thiols.     

COMMUNICATION. B-THIOACYLTHIO-9-BBN AS A THIOACYLATING REAGENT

Abstract

Convenient syntheses of S-aryldithioesters and thioamides are described: thus, thiols and amines are readily thioacylated with the S-borondithioester formed in situ, by the mild reaction of a dithioacid with 9-BBN.     

Albumin‐bound low molecular weight thiols analysis in plasma and carotid plaques by CE

We describe a new method for the quantification of low molecular weight thiols, as homocysteine, cysteine, cysteinylglycine, glutamylcysteine and glutathione bound to human plasma albumin. After albumin isolation and purification by SDS‐PAGE, thiols were freed from protein with tri‐n‐butylphosphine and successively derivatized with 5‐iodoacetamidofluorescein. Samples were then injected and quantified in about 18 min by CE with laser induced fluorescence detection. Precision tests indicate a good repeatability of the method both for migration times (RSD<0.63%) and areas (RSD<2.98%). The method allows to measure all five low molecular weight thiols released from just 3 μg of albumin thus improving the other described methods in which only three or four thiols were detected. Due to the elevated sensitivity (LOD of 0.3 pM for all thiols), also low molecular weight thiols bound to albumin filtered in tissues could be quantified.     

RAFT polymerization of vinyl methacrylate and subsequent conjugation via enzymatic thiol‐ene chemistry

The polymerization of vinyl methacrylate (VMA) allows the synthesis of polymers with pendant double bonds. When this polymerization was undertaken in the presence of 2‐cyanopropyl dithiobenzoate as reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer agent, it led almost exclusively to vinylester functional sidegroups, which were available for further reactions. The vinylester functionality could not be functionalized using common thiol‐ene catalysts, but could be activated using Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL‐B) (Novozyme 435). The reaction between PVMA and various thiols in N, N‐dimethyl formamide in the presence of CAL‐B led exclusively to the formation of the anti‐Markovnikov product. The rate of reaction between PVMA and 1‐butanethiol was monitored using ¹H NMR. The reaction was complete within 72 h. Similar results were obtained with other small‐sized thiols such as 2‐mercaptoethanol, 3‐mercaptopropionic acid, and 2‐(trimethylsilyl)ethanethiol, while more bulky thiols, such as secondary thiols, thiols with long alkyl chains, and sterically demanding thiols, such as mono(6‐deoxy‐6‐mercapto)‐β‐cyclodextrin, only led to lower conversions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

N,N ′-Diiodo-N,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis(p-toluenesulfonamide) as an Efficient Catalyst for Acetylation of Alcohols,Phenols, Amines,and Thiols Under Solvent-Free Conditions

N,N′-Diiodo-N,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis(p-toluenesulfonamide) (NIBTS) is a highly efficient catalyst for the acetylation of alcohols, phenols, amines, and thiols under solvent-free conditions. Primary, secondary, tertiary alcohols; phenols; amines; and thiols can be easily acetylated in good to excellent yields at 80 °C.     

An Efficient and Selective Solid State Oxidation of Thiols to Disulfides with Quinolinium Fluorochromate on Silica Gel

Various kinds of aliphatic (cyclic and acyclic), aromatic, and heterocyclic thiols are converted into the corresponding disulfides by quinolinium fluorochromate (QFC) on silica-gel in excellent yields. Selective oxidation of thiols in the presence of sulfides is also achieved under solid phase conditions.     

Triethylamine-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of trithiocarbonates from carbon disulfide, thiols, and alkyl halides in water

Symmetrical and unsymmetrical trithiocarbonates were prepared by a simple and efficient one-pot reaction of thiols, carbon disulfide, and alkyl halides in the presence of triethylamine in water at room temperature. Correspondence: Barahman Movassagh, Department of Chemistry, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, P.O. Box 16315–1618, Tehran, Iran.     

Poly(N‐Bromobenzene‐1,3‐Disulfonylamide), N,N,N′,N′‐Tetrabromobenzene‐1,3‐Disulfonylamide and DABCO‐Bromine Complex: As Novel Reagents for the Oxidative Coupling of Thiols to Disulfides

An efficient method for the oxidative coupling of thiols to their corresponding disulfides by new reagents poly(N‐bromobenzene‐1,3‐disulfonylamide) PBBS , N,N,N′,N′‐tetrabromobenzene‐1,3‐disulfonylamide TBBDA and DABCO‐bromine complex is described. The reaction was applicable to a variety of thiols with high chemoselectivity.     

Ethylenebis( N -methylimidazolium) Chlorochromate ( EBMICC ): An Efficient and Selective Reagent for the Oxidation of Thiols to Disulfides

Ethylenebis(N-methylimidazolium) chlorochromate was prepared by addition of N-methylimidazole to 1,2-dibromoethane to form the corresponding dibromide salt and subsequent treatment of this salt with CrO₃ in 6N HCl solution. It is a stable yellow-orange solid, which oxidized thiols to the corresponding disulfides at room temperature. Selective oxidation of thiols in the presence of sulfides and hydroxyl groups was also achieved with this reagent.     

Convenient One‐Pot Synthesis of Sulfonamides from Thiols using Trichloroisocyanuric Acid

A convenient synthesis of sulfonamides from thiols is described. In situ preparation of sulfonyl chlorides from thiols is accomplished by oxidation with trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA), benzyltrimethylammonium chloride and water (2.5 equiv). The sulfonyl chlorides are then further allowed to react with excess amine in the same reaction vessel. Triethylamine can be optionally added as acid scavenger.     

Development of a long-wavelength fluorescent probe based on quinone-methide-type reaction to detect physiologically significant thiols

We synthesized a new long-wavelength latent fluorimetric probe BCC (6) to detect physiologically significant thiols. The fluorogenic chemical transformation of BCC triggered by thiols is through a tandem reaction, thiol-induced benzoquinone reduction, and quinone–methide-type rearrangement reaction, which are spontaneous and irreversible at physiological temperature in aqueous media. The fluorescence signal revealed by this process is specific and exhibited in the near-red spectrum region with emission maxima at 595 nm, and it could be competitively inhibited by thiols scavenger, N-ethylmaleimide. The fluorescent response of BCC is insensitive to various non-thiol amino acids and biological reductants. This novel fluorimetric probe demonstrates a good relationship in detecting thiols in 1–100 μM range, which presents to the applicability for the construction of fiber-optic biosensors in the future clinical diagnostic.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Sulfonamides and Sulfonyl Azides from Thiols using Chloramine‐T

A convenient synthesis of sulfonamides and sulfonyl azides from thiols is described. In situ preparation of sulfonyl chlorides from thiols was accomplished by oxidation with chloramine‐T (=N‐chlorotosylamide=N‐chloro‐4‐methylbenzenesulfonamide), tetrabutylammonium chloride (Bu₄NCl), and H₂O. The sulfonyl chlorides were then further allowed to react with excess amine or NaN₃ in the same pot.     

Fast and Selective Modification of Thiol Proteins/Peptides by <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(Phenylseleno)phthalimide

We previously reported that selenamide reagents such as ebselen and N-(phenylseleno)phthalimide (NPSP) can be used to selectively derivatize thiols for mass spectrometric analysis, and the introduced selenium tags are useful as they could survive or removed with collision-induced dissociation (CID). Described herein is the further study of the reactivity of various protein/peptide thiols toward NPSP and its application to derivatize thiol peptides in protein digests. With a modified protocol (i.e., dissolving NPSP in acetonitrile instead of aqueous solvent), we found that quantitative conversion of thiols can be obtained in seconds, using NPSP in a slight excess amount (NPSP:thiol of 1.1–2:1). Further investigation shows that the thiol reactivity toward NPSP reflects its chemical environment and accessibility in proteins/peptides. For instance, adjacent basic amino acid residues increase the thiol reactivity, probably because they could stabilize the thiolate form to facilitate the nucleophilic attack of thiol on NPSP. In the case of creatine phosphokinase, the native protein predominately has one thiol reacted with NPSP while all of four thiol groups of the denatured protein can be derivatized, in accordance with the corresponding protein conformation. In addition, thiol peptides in protein/peptide enzymatic digests can be quickly and effectively tagged by NPSP following tri-n-butylphosphine (TBP) reduction. Notably, all three thiols of the peptide QCCASVCSL in the insulin peptic digest can be modified simultaneously by NPSP. These results suggest a novel and selective method for protecting thiols in the bottom-up approach for protein structure analysis.     

A CE‐LIF method based on long wavelength fluorescence labeling for the analysis of thiols in human urine

A rapid and robust CE method using a long wavelength fluorescent reagent 1,7‐dimethyl‐3,5‐distyryl‐8‐phenyl‐(2‐maleimide)difluoroboradiaza‐s‐indacene as the labeling reagent has been developed for the simultaneous determination of thiols, including glutathione, cysteine, homocysteine, N‐acetylcysteine, cysteinylglycine, and penicillamine. The derivatization reaction was carried out in 14 mmol/L pH 8.5 borate buffer at 30°C for 6 min and the labeled thiols derivatives were separated with the running buffer containing 30 mmol/L pH 7.4 phosphate, 30% v/v acetonitrile and 8 mmol/L SDS within 12 min. Detection limits ranged from 0.4 to 2.4 nmol/L. To demonstrate the capability of this method, it was applied to the analysis of thiols in human urine with recoveries of 92.4–105.6%. The derivatization reaction was much faster at milder conditions, and the analysis was rapider. Moreover, with excitation wavelength at long wavelength region, background interference from samples was reduced effectively. The present method seems to be a potential choice for quantifying thiols in human urine.     

Solvent-Free Thiolysis of Epoxides under Lithium Perchlorate Catalysis

Summary. Solvent-free ring opening of 1,2-epoxides with thiols using catalytic amounts of lithium perchlorate affords high yields of β-hydroxy sulfides. Nucleophilic attack of the thiols occurs regioselectively at the sterically less hindered side of the epoxides.     

Dehydrogenative Coupling Reactions with Oxidized Guanidino‐Functionalized Aromatic Compounds: Novel Options for σ‐Bond Activation

We present a new option for metal‐free σ‐bond activation, making use of oxidized, guanidino‐functionalized aromatic compounds (GFAs). We demonstrate this new option by the homocoupling reactions of thiols and phosphines. The kinetics and the reaction pathway were studied by a number of experiments (including heterocoupling of thiols and phosphines), supported by quantum‐chemical computations. Reaction of the oxidized GFA with p‐dihydrobenzoquinone to give p‐benzoquinone shows that typical proton‐coupled electron‐transfer reactions are also possible.     

Rapid and Convenient Method for the Synthesis of Symmetrical Disulfides

Abstract

We present here the results on the use of 1,3,5-triazo-2,4,6-triphosphorine-2,2,4,4,6,6-hexachloride as an efficient promoter in the conversion of thiols to the corresponding symmetrical disulfides under solvent-free conditions. Aromatic thiols bearing electron donating and electron withdrawing groups, heteroaromatic, and alkyl thiols reacted efficiently to afford excellent yields of disulfides in short reaction times after easy work-up. Different functional groups including carboxyl, methoxy, methylthio, and halogen are tolerated.

Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfer, and Silicon and the Related Elements for the following free supplemental files: Additional figures and tables.     

Determination of N-Acetylcysteine and Thioglycolic Acid in Human Urine

A method for the determination of total N-acetylcysteine and thioglycolic acid in human urine is described. Because these compounds are mainly excreted as disulfides, they are first reduced to the free thiols by treatment with tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride and then derivatized with 2-chloro-1-methylquinolinium tetrafluoroborate. Separation and quantitation of the 2-S-quinolinium derivatives of the thiols were achieved by reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography with UV-detection at 355 nm. Because the method enables simultaneous determination of other endogenous urinary thiols, e.g. cysteine and cysteinylglycine, amounts of these compounds in urine were also studied. Detector responses were linear over the range covering most practical situations, with correlation coefficients for all four analytes better than 0.999. Recovery and imprecision (as RSD) were within 99.77–102.17 and 0.01–7.79%, respectively. The lower limit of detection was 0.25 μmol L⁻¹ urine for thioglycolic acid and N-acetylcysteine, and 0.12 μmol L⁻¹ urine for cysteine and cysteinylglycine. The method was used for analysis of urine samples from 29 healthy individuals to establish reference values for the thiols, normalized to creatinine. 3-Mercaptolactic acid, 2-mercaptopropionic acid, and mercaptoethanol were not present in the urine analyzed.