描述
Ethanethiol, also known as ethyl-mercaptan or ethanethiol sodium salt, is a member of the class of compounds known as alkylthiols. Alkylthiols are organic compounds containing the thiol functional group linked to an alkyl chain. Ethanethiol is soluble (in water) and a very weakly acidic compound (based on its pKa). Ethanethiol is a fruity and sulfurous tasting compound found in potato, which makes ethanethiol a potential biomarker for the consumption of this food product. Ethanethiol may be a unique S.cerevisiae (yeast) metabolite. Ethanethiol, commonly known as ethyl mercaptan, is a clear liquid with a distinct odor. It is an organosulfur compound with the formula CH3CH2SH. Abbreviated EtSH, it consists of an ethyl group (Et), CH3CH2, attached to a thiol group, SH. Its structure parallels that of ethanol, but with sulfur in place of oxygen. The odor of EtSH is infamous. Ethanethiol is more volatile than ethanol due to a diminished ability to engage in hydrogen bonding. Ethanethiol is toxic. It occurs naturally as a minor component of petroleum, and may be added to otherwise odorless gaseous products such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to help warn of gas leaks. At these concentrations, ethanethiol is not harmful .