108. 2 : 3-Dimercaptopropanol (“British Anti-Lewisite”) and related compounds

Abstract

Work on the reaction between arsenical compds. and proteins suggested that the toxicity of As to living cells is due to its combination with two neighboring -SH groups in an essential amine to form a stable ring. It was thus possible that 1:2- or l:3-dithiols might displace As from tissue receptors by giving more stable 5- or 6-membered rings. Preliminary expts. with toluene-3:4-dithiol, etc. showed this compd. capable of affording effective protection in vitro and in vivo against "lewisite." The final choice of antidote depended on toxicity. Aryl-and l:3-dithiols were the least satisfactory and 2:3-dimer-captopropanal (BAL) was considered worth making on a commercial scale. Condensation products with carbonyl compds. and dichloroarsines are described.