C2H6O2S

C2H6O2S is the chemical formula for several distinct chemical compounds, all of which share this empirical ratio of atoms. The most commonly encountered substance with this formula is 2-mercaptoethanol, also known as beta-mercaptoethanol. 2-mercaptoethanol is a colorless liquid with a characteristic pungent odor. It is a versatile reagent used in biochemistry and molecular biology, primarily as a reducing agent. It is employed to break disulfide bonds in proteins, which helps in protein denaturation and solubilization. It can also be used to protect thiols from oxidation.

Another compound with the formula C2H6O2S is dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), although it is more commonly represented by the formula C2H6OS. DMSO is a polar aprotic solvent widely used in organic synthesis and as a cryoprotectant for cells. It is a colorless liquid and is miscible with water and many organic solvents. Its ability to penetrate biological membranes makes it useful in drug delivery research.

The existence of multiple isomers for C2H6O2S highlights the importance of precise structural identification in chemistry. The arrangement of atoms significantly influences the physical and chemical properties of a molecule, even when the elemental composition remains the same.