Butanethiol

• Mercaptan C4
• 1- butyl mercaptan
• Butane-1 -thiol

Colorless liquid with an unpleasant odor

Liquid

0.84 g · cm -3

-116 ° C

98 ° C

40 mbar (20 ° C)

Very slightly soluble in water ( 0.597 g · l-1 at 20 ° C)

1.4425 (20 ° C, 589 nm)

Risk

1500 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Butanethiol (specifically, 1- butanethiol ) is a chemical compound selected from the group of thiols.

Occurrence

Butanethiol occurs naturally as part of Stinktiersekret.

Production and representation

Butanethiol can be obtained by reaction of but- 1-ene with hydrogen sulfide in the presence of a catalyst.

Also possible is the extraction from the reaction of 1 -bromobutane with sodium hydrogen sulfide.

Properties

Butanethiol is a light-and air-sensitive, volatile, colorless liquid with an unpleasant odor of rotten onions or skunk, which is very slightly soluble in water. It decomposes when heated, whereby sulfur oxides are formed.

Use

Butanethiol is used as solvent, intermediate in the manufacture of insecticides, acaricides and herbicides, and to prevent feeding damage by deer in trees and shrubs. It is also used for the odorization of natural gas.

Safety

The vapors of butanethiol form explosive mixtures with air (flash point -1 ° C).