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The mechanism by which cysteine-S-sulfate is formed from the reaction of sulfite with cystine in the absence of a dedicated oxidizing agent is investigated using high-resolution NMR. Changes to reactant ratio, pH, UV light exposure and temperature were evaluated to determine the most effective conditions to achieve the maximum yield of cysteine-S-sulfate without recourse to conventional oxidizing reagents. Herein evidence is provided for both nucleophilic and radical mechanisms, by which cysteine-S-sulfate can be generated with yields of up to 96%.