2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid

2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (abbreviated DMPS) or its sodium salt (known as Unithiol) are chelating agents that form complexes with various heavy metals. It is related to dimercaprol, which is another chelating agent.

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The synthesis of DMPS was first reported in 1956 by Petrunkin from Kiev, Soviet Union. The effects if DMPS on heavy metal poisoning, including with polonium-210, were investigated in the following years. DMPS was found to have some protective effect, prolonging the survival time.^[1]

A study was undertaken of DMPS use by workers involved in the production of a calomel skin-bleaching lotion and in direct contact with mercurous chloride and who already showed elevated urine mercury levels. The sodium salt of DMPS was found to be effective in lowering the body burden of mercury and in decreasing the urinary mercury concentration to normal levels.^[2]

References

1. ^ Aposhian, H.V.; Aposhian, M.M. (1990). "Meso-2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid: Chemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties of an orally effective metal chelating agent.". Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology 30 (1): 279-306. doi:10.1146/annurev.pa.30.040190.001431. Retrieved on 2007-07-08.
2. ^ D. Gonzalez-Ramirez, M. Zuniga-Charles, A. Narro-Juarez, Y. Molina-Recio, K. M. Hurlbut, R. C. Dart and H. V. Aposhian (1998). "DMPS (2,3-Dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate, Dimaval) Decreases the Body Burden of Mercury in Humans Exposed to Mercurous Chloride" (free full text). Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 287 (1): 8-12.

See also

• Chelation therapy
• Dimercaptosuccinic acid
• EDTA
• Heavy metal poisoning
• Mercury poisoning