butanethiol

chemical compound

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June 22, 2026

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Butanethiol is an organic chemical compound belonging to the thiol class. Thiols are similar to alcohols but contain a sulfur atom instead of an oxygen atom. Butanethiol, with the chemical formula CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂SH, is named by appending the suffix "-thiol" to the hydrocarbon name.12

Lower-molecular-weight thiols, including butanethiol, are known for their strong, unpleasant odors, often described as skunky or rotten-egg-like. These odors can be detected by humans at very low concentrations. Due to these strong odors, thiols like butanethiol are used as odorants and warning agents for natural gas leaks. They are also found in nature, contributing to the scents of skunks and onions.21

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organosulfur compound
Thiols
, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂SH is named butanethiol. The prefix mercapto- is placed before the name of a compound if the ―SH group is to be named as a substituent, as in mercaptoacetic acid, HSCH₂COOH. A third naming system uses the prefix thio- in front of the name of the corresponding oxygen…
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, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂SH is named butanethiol. The prefix mercapto- is placed before the name of a compound if the ―SH group is to be named as a substituent, as in mercaptoacetic acid, HSCH₂COOH. A third naming system uses the prefix thio- in front of the name of the corresponding oxygen…
Read More