Mercaptan

Description

A class of sulfur containing compounds. Mercaptan is a shortened name for the term mercurium captans. Hydrosulfides were given this name because of their ability to react with mercuric oxide to form crystalline compounds. Mercaptans are also called thioalcohols which has been shortened to thiols. All mercaptans have unpleasant garlic-type odors.

Synonyms and Related Terms

thiol