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DMSA

C4H6O4S2. Commonly known as DMSA [2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid] or by the trade name “Succimer”, this molecule is a metal complexing agent. DMSA is an FDA-approved drug used as a therapy for the treatment of lead poisoning in children and pregnant women but it is also being investigated as a therapy for the treatment of mercury poisonings.

dmsa

A DMSA molecule has two thiolate and two carboxylates groups, and four ionizable protons.

Highlighting Features

thiolate (R-SH)
carboxylate (COOH)
reset DMSA molecule
DMSA also has two asymmetrical carbons (also called chirality elements or stereocenters). The number two and three carbon are asymmetrical because they each have four different ligands bonded to them. Show asymmetrical carbons