Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 26, 2026

Isopropyl mercaptan

Isopropyl mercaptan is a thiol with the formula C3H8S. It is a water-white liquid with an extremely pungent odor resembling skunk spray or rotten eggs. The pungent smell allows it to be used as an odorizer. The FDA has approved it for use as a food additive for its flavor. Another use is as a rubber additive.

Last revised
Jun 26, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
339 w
Citations
5
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Isopropyl mercaptan
source ↗
Names
Other names
  • 2-Propanethiol
  • Propane-2-thiol
  • 2-propanthiol
  • 2-propane thiol
  • Isopropyl mercaptan
  • Isopropanethiol
  • Isopropylthiol
  • 2-Mercaptopropane
  • 2-Propylmercaptan
  • 1-Methylethanethiol
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
605260
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.784
EC Number
  • 200-861-4
KEGG
UNII
UN number 2402
  • InChI=1S/C3H8S/c1-3(2)4/h3-4H,1-2H3
    Key: KJRCEJOSASVSRA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • CC(C)S
Properties
C3H8S
Molar mass 76.16 g·mol−1
Density 0.8143
Melting point −130.7 °C (−203.3 °F; 142.5 K)
Boiling point 52.5 °C (126.5 °F; 325.6 K)
4835 g/L1
Vapor pressure 277.3 mm Hg
Hazards
GHS labelling:2
GHS02: FlammableGHS06: ToxicGHS07: Exclamation mark
Danger
H225, H302, H315, H319, H331
P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P316, P321, P330, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P370+P378, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, P501
Related compounds
Related compounds
 1-Propanethiol
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Isopropyl mercaptan is a thiol with the formula C3H8S. It is a water-white liquid with an extremely pungent odor resembling skunk spray or rotten eggs. The pungent smell allows it to be used as an odorizer.3 The FDA has approved it for use as a food additive for its flavor.4 Another use is as a rubber additive.5

See also

See also

References

References

  1. See: Talkpage
  2. "2-Propanethiol". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
  3. Michanowicz, Drew R.; Leventhal, Olivia M.; Domen, Jeremy K.; Williams, Samuel R.; Lebel, Eric D.; Hill, Lee Ann L.; Buonocore, Jonathan J.; Nordgaard, Curtis L.; Bernstein, Aaron S.; Shonkoff, Seth B.C. (2023-07-25). "Natural gas odorants: A scoping review of health effects". Current Environmental Health Reports. 10 (3): 337–352. doi:10.1007/s40572-023-00403-w. ISSN 2196-5412. PMC 10504204. PMID 37491689. S2CID 260163457.
  4. PubChem. "2-Propanethiol Flavor profile". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  5. Li, Zhiwei; An, Dong; He, Rizheng; Sun, Zhijian; Li, Jiaxiong; Zhang, Zhiyi; Liu, Yaqing; Wong, Chingping (April 2023). "The design of crosslinks in different vulcanized systems to improve crack growth resistance for carbon black/graphene oxide/natural rubber composites". Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials. 6 (2). doi:10.1007/s42114-023-00662-z. ISSN 2522-0128. S2CID 258137193.