Sulfhydryl ligands synthesis

A. The multisystem toxicity of lead is mediated by several mechanisms, including inactivation or alteration of enzymes and other macromolecules by binding to sulfhydryl, phosphate, or carboxyl ligands, and interaction with essential cations, most notably calcium, zinc, and iron. Pathological alterations in cellular and mitochondrial membranes, neurotransmitter synthesis and function, heme synthesis, cellular redox status, and nucleotide metabolism may occur. Adverse impacts on the nervous, renal, hematopoietic, reproductive, and cardiovascular systems can result. 

By contrast, ligands such as thioethylamidine and thiobuthylamidine form amidine bonds with chitosan. Most of these sulfhydryl-bearing compounds have thiol groups whose p a value is in the range of 8-10 [28]. During the synthesis process, an unintended oxidation of thiol moieties can be avoided by performing the polymer synthesis at a pH < 5. At this pH, the concentration of the reactive form... 

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