Record Information
Version2.0
StatusDetected and Quantified
Creation Date2022-06-17 20:22:59 UTC
Update Date2025-10-07 16:09:44 UTC
Metabolite IDMMDBc0056332
Metabolite Identification
Common Nametetrathionate
DescriptionTetrathionate is a member of the chemical class of thiosulfates, characterized by its unique sulfur oxidation state. Its chemical structure consists of four sulfur atoms, typically represented as S4O6^2-, indicating a chain of sulfur atoms with varying oxidation states. In biochemical pathways, tetrathionate plays a significant role as an electron acceptor in anaerobic respiration, particularly utilized by certain bacteria such as Salmonella, which can reduce tetrathionate to thiosulfate (PMID:40346343 ). Additionally, it is involved in energy metabolism, where its oxidation can enhance the formation of elemental sulfur, especially in the presence of specific oxidizing reactions (PMID:40517928 ). Tetrathionate's presence in selective culturing methods aids in the detection of pathogens such as Salmonella, highlighting its utility in diagnostic applications (PMID:40618012 ). Furthermore, it is implicated in various metabolic processes, including the suppression of denitrification and enhancement of acetoclastic methanogenesis, demonstrating its multifaceted role in microbial ecology (PMID:40450938 ). Overall, tetrathionate serves as a crucial metabolite in both environmental and clinical microbiology contexts.
Structure
Synonyms
ValueSource
[O3SSSSO3](2-)ChEBI
[S4O6](2-)ChEBI
TetrathionatChEBI
Tetrathionate ion(2-)ChEBI
Tetrathionic acid ion(2-)Generator
Tetrathionic acidGenerator
Molecular FormulaO6S4
Average Mass224.24
Monoisotopic Mass223.858869576
IUPAC Name(sulfodisulfanyl)sulfonate
Traditional Nametetrathionate(1-)
CAS Registry NumberNot Available
SMILES
[O-]S(=O)(=O)SSS([O-])(=O)=O
InChI Identifier
InChI=1S/H2O6S4/c1-9(2,3)7-8-10(4,5)6/h(H,1,2,3)(H,4,5,6)/p-2
InChI KeyHPQYKCJIWQFJMS-UHFFFAOYSA-L