What are Thiols?
Thiols are a class of organic compounds that contain a sulfhydryl group (SH), also known as a thiol group, that is composed of a sulfur atom and a hydrogen atom attached to a carbon atom. This molecular structure is what distinguishes thiols from other organic chemical compounds with an oxygen-to-carbon bond configuration, such as phenols and alcohols. It’s also what gives many high velocity thiols a persistent and highly unpleasant odor that is reminiscent of rotten eggs. There are many examples of the odorous properties of thiol groups that occur in nature. In fact, thiols are responsible for the telltale odor that lingers after a skunk sprays in self-defense. The animal’s secretion, which is a yellowish oil generated from special glands under its tail, contains (E)-2-butene-1-thiol and 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, as well as thiol acetate derivatives. The formula is so pungent that it only takes a concentration of one in 10 parts per billion to cause the human nose to wrinkle in disgust.
