Ethanethiol

"EtSH" redirects here. For the ICAO code, see Holzdorf Air Base.
Ethanethiol[1][2]
Skeletal structure of ethanethiol
Ball-and-stick model of the ethanethiol molecule
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Ethanethiol
Other names
Ethyl mercaptan
Mercaptoethane
Ethyl sulfhydrate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.762 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 200-837-3
RTECS number
  • KI9625000
UNII
UN number 2363
  • InChI=1S/C2H6S/c1-2-3/h3H,2H2,1H3 checkY
    Key: DNJIEGIFACGWOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C2H6S/c1-2-3/h3H,2H2,1H3
    Key: DNJIEGIFACGWOD-UHFFFAOYAW
  • CCS
Properties
C2H6S
Molar mass 62.13404 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless liquid[3]
Odor Rotten cabbage, flatulence, skunk-like[3]
Density 0.8617 g·cm−3
Melting point −148 °C (−234 °F; 125 K)
Boiling point 35 °C (95 °F; 308 K)
0.7% (20 °C)[3]
Vapor pressure 442 mmHg (20 °C)[3]
Acidity (pKa) 10.6
−47.0×10−6 cm3/mol
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Nauseating
GHS labelling:
GHS02: FlammableGHS07: Exclamation markGHS09: Environmental hazard
Danger
H225, H332, H410
P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P271, P273, P280, P303+P361+P353, P304+P312, P304+P340, P312, P370+P378, P391, P403+P235, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 4: Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily. Flash point below 23 °C (73 °F). E.g. propaneInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
4
0
Flash point −48 °C; −55 °F; 225 K[3]
Explosive limits 2.8–18.0%[3]
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
682 mg/kg (rat, oral)[4]
4410 ppm (rat, 4 hr)
2770 (mouse, 4 hr)[4]
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
 C 10 ppm (25 mg/m3)[3]
REL (Recommended)
 C 0.5 ppm (1.3 mg/m3) [15-minute][3]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
 500 ppm[3]
Related compounds
Related compounds
 Methanethiol
Butanethiol
Ethanol
thiophenol
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Ethanethiol, commonly known as ethyl mercaptan, is an organosulfur compound with the formula CH3CH2SH.[5] It is a colorless liquid with a distinct odor. 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 in high concentrations. 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.

  1. ^ Merck Index, 12th edition, hEllon and 3771
  2. ^ "ICSC 0470 - ETHANETHIOL".
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0280". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  4. ^ a b "Ethyl mercaptan". Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  5. ^ Staley, Dennis; Wilbraham, Antony; Matta, Michael; Waterman, Edward (2017). Pearson Chemistry. United States: Pearson Education, Inc. pp. R25. ISBN 978-1-32-320590-7.