Reactive sulfur species: aqueous chemistry of sulfenyl thiocyanates

Sulfenyl thiocyanate (RSSCN) derivatives of penicillamine (PENSCN) and glutathione (GSSCN) have been synthesized in situ at pH = 0 from equilibrium mixtures that consists of hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN), thiocyanogen ((SCN)2), and trithiocyanate ((SCN)3-). The electrophilic thiocyanating agent N-thiocyanatosuccinimide (NTS) also reacts with PEN and GSH to yield the corresponding RSSCN derivatives. PENSCN and GSSCN were characterized by NMR, ES-MS, and IR spectroscopy. While stable at pH = 0, at higher pH the RSSCN derivatives decompose to give products that are consistent with hydrolysis and formation of reactive sulfenic acids.