organosulfur

Organosulfur compounds are organic molecules that contain carbon–sulfur bonds. They form a broad and chemically diverse class, including simple thiols and thioethers as well as derivatives with higher oxidation states, such as sulfoxides and sulfones, sulfonates and sulfonic acids, thioesters, and sulfur-containing heterocycles.

Common functional classes include thiols (R–SH), also called mercaptans; thioethers or sulfides (R–S–R′); disulfides (R–S–S–R′); sulfoxides (R–S(=O)–R′) and sulfones (R–S(=O)2–R′). Sulfonic acids (R–S(=O)2–OH) and their esters (sulfonates) represent highly oxidized forms. Thioesters (R–C(=O)–S–R′) are important in metabolism, while sulfur-containing heterocycles such as thiophene and thiazole are common in natural products and pharmaceuticals.

Biology and biochemistry highlight the importance of organosulfur chemistry. Many amino acids contain sulfur, notably cysteine and methionine; cysteine residues form disulfide bonds that help stabilize protein structure. Coenzyme A and glutathione carry reactive thiol groups, enabling essential redox and acyl-transfer reactions. Sulfur-containing vitamins and cofactors also play key roles in metabolism.

Industrial and ecological relevance is broad. Organosulfur compounds occur in natural products and essential oils, contribute to appealing and sometimes strong odors, and are used in vulcanization of rubber and in various synthetic transformations. Their reactivity is characterized by nucleophilicity and a wide range of oxidation states, enabling transformations from thiols to sulfoxides, sulfones, and sulfonates.

See also: thiol, thioether, disulfide, sulfoxide, sulfone.