The development of synthetic anion receptors has been sparked by the need to detect biologically important anions. Our research is targeted toward reactive sulfur species (RSS), a specific class of these biologic anions. For example, HS-, the anionic form of H2S, which has functions in respiration and anti-inflammation. Since the quick reaction times and instability of RSS make them difficult to study, synthetic anion receptors can be used to stabilize RSS in order to further analyze how they function in the body. It was discovered by the Johnson, Haley, and Pluth labs that two-armed urea-based receptors could weakly bind to HS-. To improve this RSS binding affinity, we are synthesizing related receptors with an additional arm and more electron withdrawing groups. Once the receptors are synthesized, we will conduct binding trials between our receptors and both NBu4Cl and NBu4(SH), in order to compare our receptors to the literature.

Receptor synthesis for detection of reactive sulfur species (RSS)

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