Article Title

Optimization and Structural Characterization of Dimethyl Trisulfide (DMTS) Oxidation Product

Authors

Laura Dirks, South Dakota State UniversityFollow
Brian Peterson, South Dakota State University
Benjamin Walter, South Dakota State University

Faculty Mentor

Brian A. Logue

Abstract

Cyanide poisoning is a public concern, and there are many shortfalls in current cyanide treatments. Dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) is a cyanide antidote candidate that overcomes these shortfalls. Currently, there are limited published reports related to the analysis of DMTS. Therefore, an analytical method to detect and analyze DMTS from a biological matrix is vital for it to become available as a therapeutic agent against cyanide poisoning. The motivation of this project is to develop an HPLC-MS/MS method for analysis of DMTS and its degradation products; however, DMTS is difficult to ionize, a requirement for MS analysis, due to its nonpolar nature. In this study, DMTS was oxidized to a more polar compound that should enable its MS-MS analysis. The oxidation reaction was optimized to maximize product yield and, therefore, improve the accuracy of the analytical technique. The optimized oxidation reaction increased the yield of oxidized DMTS by 17.4% and decreased the amount of un-oxidized DMTS by 88.5%. In addition, initial characterization of the reaction product was preformed, using GC-MS. The preliminary results indicated the DMTS was fully oxidized.

Recommended Citation

Dirks, Laura; Peterson, Brian; and Walter, Benjamin (2015) "Optimization and Structural Characterization of Dimethyl Trisulfide (DMTS) Oxidation Product," The Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 13, Article 7.
Available at: https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/jur/vol13/iss1/7