Key Facts

Other Names:

Three forms of butyl mercaptan exist; see Overview

Formula:

C₄H₁₀S

Elements:

Carbon, hydrogen sulfur

Compound Type:

Mercaptan (organic)

State:

Liquid

Molecular Weight:

90.19 g/mol

Melting Point:

Forms vary greatly; see Overview

Boiling Point:

Forms vary; see Overview

Solubility:

Insoluble or slightly soluble in water (depending on form); soluble in alcohol and ether

Overview

Three isomers of butyl mercaptan (BYOO-til mer-KAP-tan) exist. Isomers are two or more forms of a chemical compound with the same molecular formula, but different structural formulas and different chemical and physical properties. The names and synonyms of the isomers are: n-butyl mercaptan, known as 1-butanethiol, 1-mercapto-butane, or n-butyl thioalcohol; sec-butyl mercaptan, called 2-butanethiol or 1-methyl-1-propanethiol; and tert-butyl mercaptan, also known as 2-methyl-2-propanethiol. The isomers have slightly different expanded chemical formulas: n-butyl mercaptan, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂SH; sec-butyl...