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Which chemicals in skunk spray produce its powerful odor?

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Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) — skunk Striped skunk (*Mephitis mephitis*).

The powerful and persistent odor of skunk spray is primarily produced by sulfur compounds known as thiols and thioacetates.12

These chemical compounds are highly offensive to both humans and other animals, often causing eyes to tear upon contact. While the specific chemical composition can vary between different species of skunks, these sulfurous compounds are the main contributors to the spray's strength. Because these thiols are responsible for the intense scent, common household remedies like tomato juice are ineffective at neutralizing them; instead, they merely mask the odor through olfactory fatigue. Effective neutralization requires an oxidizing process, such as using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dishwashing detergent.231