thiirane

chemistry

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

Thiirane is a three-membered heterocyclic compound containing sulfur. It is a strained ring system, making it reactive and prone to ring-opening reactions, particularly with nucleophilic reagents. Thiirane and its derivatives can be more bactericidal than similar compounds containing oxygen. While some thiirane derivatives have been explored as insecticides, molluscicides, or herbicides, they currently have limited practical importance compared to other three-membered heterocycles like oxirane (ethylene oxide). Thiirane is the sulfur analog of oxirane (ethylene oxide) and aziridine.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

6 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

heterocyclic compound
Three-membered rings
Molecules containing thiirane rings are more bactericidal than those containing oxirane rings, and some thiirane derivatives have found application as tuberculostats (drugs that inhibit the growth of tuberculosis-causing bacteria), whereas thiirane 1 oxides have been reported to be insecticides, molluscicides, or herbicides.
Read More
Molecules containing thiirane rings are more bactericidal than those containing oxirane rings, and some thiirane derivatives have found application as tuberculostats (drugs that inhibit the growth of tuberculosis-causing bacteria), whereas thiirane 1 oxides have been reported to be insecticides, molluscicides, or herbicides.
Read More