alkanetiolien

Alkanethiols, also known as alkyl thiols or mercaptans, are a class of organosulfur compounds with the general formula R-SH, where R is an alkyl group and SH is the thiol functional group. They are characterized by the presence of a sulfur atom bonded to a hydrogen atom and an alkyl chain. The thiol group is analogous to the hydroxyl group in alcohols, with sulfur replacing oxygen.

These compounds are typically colorless liquids with strong, unpleasant odors, often described as resembling rotten eggs or garlic, though the intensity and specific smell vary with chain length. Alkanethiols are generally insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. They are weaker acids than alcohols and can be readily deprotonated by strong bases to form thiolate anions (RS-).

Alkanethiols are used in various industrial applications. They serve as intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and polymers. Some alkanethiols are used as odorants in natural gas to help detect leaks due to their distinct smell. They also play roles in the formation of self-assembled monolayers on metal surfaces, which have applications in nanotechnology and materials science. The oxidation of alkanethiols can lead to the formation of disulfides (R-S-S-R), which are important in biological systems, such as the formation of disulfide bridges in proteins.