Generation of reactive oxygen species by a persulfide (BnSSH)

Hydropersulfides (RSxSH) have been implicated as important intermediates in the cell-killing action of the anticancer natural products leinamycin and varacin. It has been suggested that persulfides can mediate the conversion of molecular oxygen to reactive oxygen species (O2-, H2O2, and HO). Here, experiments with synthetic benzyl hydrodisulfide (BnSSH) provide direct evidence that persulfides readily decompose to produce reactive oxygen species under physiologically relevant conditions.