Polymers with Dithiobenzoate End Groups Constitutively Release Hydrogen Sulfide upon Exposure to Cysteine and Homocysteine

Matthew C. Urquhart, Nam V. Dao, Francesca Ercole, Ben J. Boyd, Thomas P. Davis, Michael R. Whittaker, John F. Quinn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Dithioesters are well-established as efficient reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agents. More recently, certain small molecule dithioesters have been reported to release the biological signaling molecule hydrogen sulfide (H2S) upon exposure to cysteine. Herein, we examine the propensity of polymers synthesized using RAFT with a dithioester chain transfer agent to release H2S via reaction of cysteine with constitutive dithioester end-groups. Homocysteine-triggered release of H2S from these materials is also observed, with evidence suggesting that the mechanism is analogous to the reaction with cysteine.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)553-557
Number of pages5
JournalACS Macro Letters
Volume9
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Apr 2020

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