Protection of immobilized sulfhydryl groups against autooxidation by alterations in their microenvironment.

Immobilized sulfhydryl groups were prepared by partial thiolation of NH2-glass beads. The microenvironment of the immobilized SH groups was varied by different chemical modifications of neighboring NH2 groups. Introduction of a strong charge in the surroundings of immobilized sulfhydryls results in their dramatic stabilization against autooxidation. This effect is due to the salting of O2 from the surface microlayer of the thiolated beads.