Expanding the Sulfur Chemical Toolbox: Synthesis and Study of Small Molecule Carbonyl Sulfide Donors and Hydrogen Sulfide Probes
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Date
2021-04-29
Authors
Levinn, Carolyn
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has recently been recognized as an important biological
signaling molecule, with roles in regulating many biological processes, including
neuromodulation and inflammation, as well as many disease states, such as diabetes and
Alzheimer’s disease. Due to these diverse biological functions, there is great interest in
better understanding the complex roles of H2S in biology and studying how we can utilize
this molecule as a potential therapeutic. To accomplish these goals, researchers need
chemical tools, such as H2S donors and probes, that act with precision in biological
settings.
The research presented in this dissertation falls into primarily two aims: 1)
obtaining a better mechanistic understanding of the thiocarbamate COS/H2S donor
scaffold and developing novel COS/H2S donors, and 2) studying and applying H2S
detection motifs to novel H2S probes. Chapter I is an introduction into the biological roles
of H2S. Chapter II is a review of current H2S donor molecules with an emphasis on COS
delivering systems. Chapter III expands upon previously reported cytotoxic esterase-triggered
thiocarbamate donors, demonstrating that the observed toxicity and rate of COS
release can be attenuated predictably by changing the rate of ester hydrolysis, but not
through electronic modulation of the payload. Chapter IV uses N-methylation to investigate the mechanism of COS release from thiocarbamates and shows that electron poor
payloads have a more complex reaction landscape than previously recognized.
Additionally, Chapter IV describes the application of the N-alkylation strategy to the
development of dithiocarbamate CS2 donors and oligomeric COS donors. Chapter V
reports the development of a COS-releasing Alzheimer’s prodrug.
To address aim 2, Chapter VI provides an overview of detection methods and
probes for H2S. Chapter VII details using a chemiluminescent core to survey different
H2S-senstitive triggering motifs and reports a bright platform for aqueous detection of
H2S. Chapter VIII demonstrates using a nanohoop rotaxane as a fluorescent probe for
H2S. Chapter IX summarizes where the field of H2S research currently stands, and
includes a broader scientific policy argument that highlights the need for increased
transparency and destigmatization around publishing failed results across all of science.
This dissertation includes previously published and unpublished co-authored
materials.
Description
Keywords
Carbonyl Sulfide, Delivery, Detection, Hydrogen Sulfide, Small Molecule, Synthesis