Solubilization of elemental sulfur by surfactants promotes reduction to H2S by thiols

Abstract

Elemental sulfur (S₈) may contribute to sulfane sulfur (S⁰) storage in biological systems. We demonstrate that surfactants can solubilize S₈ in water and promote S₈ reduction to H₂S by thiols. Moreover, anionic and cationic surfactants interact differently with intermediate S⁰ carriers, highlighting how specific hydrophobic microenvironments impact reactive sulfur species.