The reactivity of complexed thiolates with Ellman’s reagent: An NMR spectroscopic study

The Ellman’s based thiol–disulfide exchange process used to quantify sulfhydryl groups in biology and medicine is interrogated using 1H NMR methods. Although not as accurate as the spectrophotometric assay NMR spectroscopy has value for the study of complex mixtures as it can identify all the key species in the mixture including the mixed disulfides of Ellman’s reagent and its sulfenic acid. We have used NMR to analysis complex mixtures involving metal (arsenic, lead, palladium) thiolates where we are able to show that Ellman’s reagent can exchange with coordinate thiolate but at the expense of the accuracy of the analysis.

Graphical abstractThe Ellman’s based thiol–disulfide exchange process is interrogated using 1H NMR methods and used to study complex mixtures involving metal (arsenic, lead, palladium) thiolates.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide