Product Overview
Ethyl mercaptan CAS 75-08-1 is a colorless, volatile organic sulfur compound with an intensely pungent odor, commonly associated with the smell of skunk spray or rotten cabbage. As a vital industrial odorant and key chemical intermediate, ethyl mercaptan is primarily used as an additive to odorless gases for leak detection, owing to its extremely low odor threshold. Additionally, its reactive thiol group makes it valuable in the synthesis of various chemicals, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and other organosulfur compounds. The safe handling and precise formulation of ethyl mercaptan are essential across industries due to its flammability, toxicity, and strong odor.
Basic Information
| CAS No. | 75-08-1 |
| UN No. | UN2363 (Ethyl mercaptan) |
| Molecular Formula | C₂H₅SH |
| Hazard Classification | 3 (Flammable liquid), 6.1 (Toxic substance) |
Key Attributes & Parameters
| Purity | ≥98.5% (standard industrial grade), with higher purity grades available for specific applications. |
| Physical State | Colorless to pale yellow liquid at room temperature with a strong, repulsive odor. |
| Boiling Point | 35°C (95°F) |
| Flash Point | -17°C (1.4°F) (closed cup) |
| Odor Threshold | As low as 0.0003 ppm (parts per million) in air, making it one of the most potent odorants available. |
| Density | ~0.839 g/mL at 20°C |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water; highly soluble in organic solvents like ethanol and ether. |
Features & Advantages
Highly Effective Odorant
Its extremely low odor threshold makes ethyl mercaptan the industry standard for odorizing natural gas, propane, and other fuel gases, ensuring rapid leak detection and enhancing safety.
Versatile Chemical Reactivity
The thiol (-SH) group allows ethyl mercaptan to participate in various chemical reactions, including alkylation, oxidation, and addition, serving as a precursor in organic synthesis.
Cost-Effective and Stable
It is produced efficiently on an industrial scale and remains stable under proper storage conditions, ensuring consistent performance as an odorant or intermediate.
Regulatory Compliance
Widely approved for use as an odorant in fuel gases under international standards, ensuring safe and legal applications.
Functional Characteristics
As a volatile thiol, Ethyl mercaptan CAS 75-08-1 functions primarily as a warning agent due to its intense odor, enabling the detection of otherwise odorless hazardous gases. In chemical synthesis, it acts as a nucleophile or reducing agent, facilitating the introduction of ethylthio groups into target molecules. It is typically stored and transported in sealed, corrosion-resistant containers under inert atmospheres to prevent oxidation and degradation. For odorization, it is precisely injected into gas streams at controlled concentrations (e.g., 1–4 pounds per million cubic feet of natural gas).
Primary Application Fields
Gas Odorization
The dominant use of Ethyl mercaptan CAS 75-08-1 is as an additive to natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other industrial gases to provide a distinct smell for leak detection and safety.
Chemical Synthesis
Serves as an intermediate in producing pesticides (e.g., insecticides and fungicides), pharmaceuticals (e.g., certain antibiotics), and other sulfur-containing compounds like ethyl sulfide.
Petroleum Industry
Used in refining processes as a scavenger for hydrogen sulfide and as a catalyst modifier.
Research and Laboratories
Employed as a reagent in organic synthesis and analytical chemistry for thiol-group reactions.
Customer Collaboration Case
A major natural gas distribution company partnered with us to enhance the safety and reliability of their odorization system across an extensive urban network. The company required a consistent, high-purity supply of ethyl mercaptan to meet strict regulatory standards for gas leak detection. We provided a customized solution featuring automated injection systems, real-time monitoring of odorant levels, and a just-in-time delivery schedule to ensure uninterrupted supply. Our high-quality ethyl mercaptan maintained stable odor intensity despite varying pipeline conditions, improving leak detection response times by 20%. This collaboration not only ensured regulatory compliance but also strengthened public safety, reducing potential hazards associated with gas leaks. The customer reported enhanced operational efficiency and a significant decrease in incident-related costs, demonstrating the critical role of reliable ethyl mercaptan in gas distribution safety.
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