Trisulfides over disulfides: highly selective synthetic strategies, anti-proliferative activities and sustained H 2 S release profiles

Temperature- and solvent-induced selective synthesis of trisulfides and disulfides is demonstrated. A remarkable selectivity was achieved using Na 2 S as a sulfur-transfer agent under mild, greener, catalyst-free and additive-free conditions. This study reveals trisulfides as a better model than disulfides in general for a sustained release of H 2 S and potent anti-cancer activities.