tioliryhmään

tioliryhmän is a Finnish term that translates to "thiol group" in English. It refers to a functional group in organic chemistry characterized by the presence of a sulfur atom bonded to a hydrogen atom, with the general formula R-SH, where R represents an organic substituent. Thiol groups are also known as sulfhydryl groups.

The sulfur atom in a thiol group is similar to the oxygen atom in an alcohol group (R-OH), making thiols sometimes referred to as mercaptans. However, the sulfur atom's larger size and different electronegativity lead to distinct chemical properties compared to alcohols. Thiols are generally more acidic than alcohols and are more prone to oxidation.

Thiol groups play significant roles in various biological processes. For instance, the amino acid cysteine contains a thiol group, and the disulfide bond formed by the oxidation of two thiol groups is crucial for the structure and stability of many proteins. This disulfide bond formation and breakage is a key mechanism in regulating protein function. Thiols are also involved in enzyme catalysis and as antioxidants. In industrial applications, thiols are used in the production of polymers, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides.