These compounds are the basis of antisense therapy, e.g., the drugs fomivirsen (Vitravene), oblimersen, alicaforsen, and mipomersen (Kynamro).
[2] Further examples of these include: Variants with P=S double bonds were developed as insecticides because of their reduced mammalian toxicity.
The terminology is used loosely and thiophosphates include P-S single bonds as illustrated by the drug amifostine.
P–S single bonds can be generated through a variety of approaches, starting from thiols, disulfides, sulfinic acids as sulfur sources and various P(III) and P(V) coupling partners.
[3] PS–C bonds can also be formed through many comparable approaches, usually by alkylating a free phosphorus-thioate anion or thioic acid.