NBu4SH provides a convenient source of HS− soluble in organic solution for H2S and anion-binding research

Abstract

We report here a simple method to prepare and characterize analytically-pure NBu ₄SH, which provides access to an organic-soluble source of HS ⁻.

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H ₂S) has gained significant interest within the scientific community due to its expanding roles in different (patho)physiological processes. Despite this importance, the chemical mechanisms by which H ₂S exerts its action remain under-scrutinized. Biomimetic investigations in organic solution offer the potential to clarify these mechanisms and to delineate the differential reactivity between H ₂S and HS ⁻. However, such studies are hampered by the lack of readily-available sources of HS ⁻ that are soluble in organic solution. Here we present a simple method for preparing analytically pure tetrabutylammonium hydrosulfide (NBu ₄SH), which we anticipate will be of significant utility to researchers in the H ₂S and anion-binding communities.