Dithioerythritol

Dithioerythritol (DTE) is a sulfur containing sugar derived from the corresponding 4-carbon monosaccharide erythrose. It is an epimer of dithiothreitol (DTT). The molecular formula for DTE is C₄H₁₀O₂S₂.

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Like DTT, DTE makes an excellent reducing agent, although its standard reduction potential is not quite as negative, i.e., DTE is slightly less effective at reducing than DTT, presumably because steric repulsion of its OH groups makes the cyclic disulfide-bonded form of DTE less favorable. In DTT, these hydroxyl groups are on opposite sides of the ring, whereas they are on the same side of the ring (and, hence, closer) in DTE.

References

• Cleland WW. (1964) "Dithiothreitol, A New Protective Reagent for SH Groups", Biochemistry, 3, 480-482.