Chemically reversible binding of H2S to a zinc porphyrin complex: towards implementation of a reversible sensor via a “coordinative-based approach”

Binding of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to a zinc porphyrin complex and the stabilization of the related zinc hydrosulfido adduct are explored. High-resolution MALDI Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (HR MALDI-FT-ICR) and 1H NMR experiments provide evidence that HS− coordination occurs at the zinc centre. The coordination of HS− occurs in a reversible manner and modulates fluorescence emission of a tetra(N-methylpyridyl)porphine zinc complex (TMPyPZn). The results highlight the potential of TMPyPZn and related systems for the implementation of fast and simple H2S sensors via a coordinative-based approach.