Page 181 - Encyclopedia of Chemical Compounds 3 Vols

BUTYL MERCAPTAN

Butyl mercaptan. White atoms
are hydrogen; black atoms are
carbon; and the turquoise atom
is selenium. PU BL I S HERS
RESOURCE GRO U P

All three isomers of butyl mercaptan are mobile liquids
(liquids that flow easily) with very strong skunk-like odors.
At one time, chemists thought that the butyl mercaptans
were responsible for the distinctive odor of skunk spray.
Research has now shown that some mercaptans are found
in skunk spray, but the butyl mercaptans are not among
them.

HOW IT IS MADE
A number of methods are available for the production
of the butyl mercaptans. The most common method
involves the reaction between an iodobutane (a butane
molecule with one iodine atom, such as CH 3 CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 I)
andasulfhydryl compound,suchasKSH.Inthisreaction,

130 CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS