Dipropyl Sulfide: History, Science, and Where It's Going
Historical Perspective on Dipropyl Sulfide
Dipropyl sulfide doesn’t attract much attention in headlines, but its backstory reaches into the early years of organosulfur chemistry. Chemists discovered this compound as they explored the diversity of sulfur’s behavior with hydrocarbons. Its initial isolation was a lesson in patience, involving stinky lab benches and a good deal of trial and error. Early uses stuck pretty close to research and analytical labs. Later, industry picked up on its value in flavor and fragrance work. Historical applications prompted studies into toxicity, basic reactivity, and more efficient manufacturing. The chemistry community still digs into its quirks, mainly because sulfur compounds have knack for surprising even seasoned researchers.
Product Snapshot: What Is Dipropyl Sulfide?
This liquid has a straightforward formula: two propyl groups, one sulfur sandwiched between them. In simple terms, Dipropyl sulfide is an aliphatic thioether. It shows up clear to pale yellow, usually with an odor people describe as garlicky or reminiscent of cooked cabbage. The smell has practical implications, since organosulfur volatility makes handling a little challenging in open air. Standard packaging aims to avoid leaks and minimize exposure. Storage containers often get wiped down not just for safety, but because the smell lingers long after the bottling process wraps up.
Physical and Chemical Traits: Properties that Matter
Looking inside a bottle of dipropyl sulfide, one finds a liquid boiling at roughly 142-144°C and melting at around -100°C. It's not impressive for solubility in water—it's practically insoluble—but dissolves well in organic solvents like ethanol, diethyl ether, and acetone. In my own practice, it drifts through the air easily because of its moderate vapor pressure, and anyone near an open flask knows it’s there. Molecular weight checks in at 134.27 g/mol. On a chemical note, it features a nonpolar nature, so it resists reacting with polar reagents unless given a strong reason. Still, exposure to oxidizers can change it rapidly, meaning you don’t leave it near bleach or strong acids unless looking for trouble on the benchtop.
Technical Specs & How Producers Handle Labeling
Suppliers like Sigma-Aldrich or TCI label dipropyl sulfide bottles with purity percentages, typically offering grades above 98%. Labels include CAS Number 111-47-7, and sometimes UN numbers for shipping. Key warnings remain standard—flammable, strong odor, potential irritant. Safety Data Sheets expand on short- and long-term risks, along with proper storage, ventilation requirements, and warnings about mistaken ingestion or skin exposure. Users get lot numbers and standardized identifiers for regulatory purposes, since tracking a potentially stinky substance deserves diligence. Each drum carries batch-specific info, helping anyone along the supply chain verify compliance with hazardous material regulations and workplace safety mandates.
Preparation Method: How Chemists Synthesize It
Lab prep usually starts with sodium sulfide and 1-bromopropane or 1-chloropropane. Stirring these in anhydrous conditions, often in ethanol or another nonaqueous solvent, generates dipropyl sulfide and sodium halide as a byproduct. Industrial production sometimes shifts to continuous flow reactors, boosting throughput and limiting exposure risks for workers. Yields run high once purification steps clear out side products and excess starting materials. Techniques like distillation, washing, and sometimes vacuum stripping remove contaminants. The overarching goal is to crank out pure product with the least trouble and minimal emissions, even if the odor means extraction hoods stay running all week.
Chemical Reactivity and Product Modification
Despite its simple structure, dipropyl sulfide’s lone sulfur can spark curiosity. It resists hydrolysis, doesn’t play well with acids or bases, but pushes back harder against strong oxidizing agents. Exposing it to such compounds leads to sulfoxide or sulfone formation, creating derivatives valuable in synthetic organic chemistry or material science. Chemists alter the carbon chains or swap the sulfur for other heteroatoms to probe structure-activity relationships, or to investigate how minor modifications shift toxicity profiles. All that lab work means researchers keep finding new ways to tweak its molecular structure to squeeze out unique properties, making the most of every unpredictable reaction along the way.
Common Synonyms and Industry Names
In catalogs or old-school lab notebooks, dipropyl sulfide turns up as 1-propylsulfanylpropane, n-propyl sulfide, and propyl thioether. Less frequently, chemical distributors push it under legacy codes or non-systematic names, especially in older reference works or during regulatory filings. Awareness of these synonyms matters, because industry paperwork and shipping manifests sometimes lag behind the latest IUPAC convention. Knowing the full spectrum of names cuts confusion, especially in global supply chains juggling translations, regulatory filings, and customs paperwork.
Safety and Best Practices on Site
Working with dipropyl sulfide means paying attention. Personally, I take extra care with gloves and splash goggles because it irritates skin and eyes fast. Good ventilation is critical, unless one wants the whole lab to smell. Fire risk stays on the low-to-moderate side, given the liquid’s flash point, but no one should underestimate sulfur compound ignition potential in poorly ventilated spaces. Material Safety Data Sheets insist on closed systems and fume hoods. Spills bring quick cleanup—absorbents, disposal in hazardous waste, and prompt airing out. Emergency showers and eyewash stations stay within arm’s reach, based on the learned wisdom of those who got too close to the action.
Use Cases and Market Applications
Most consumer products don’t list dipropyl sulfide on the label, yet it finds roles in flavor and fragrance work, particularly in simulating savory or sulfurous notes in food chemistry. Industrial researchers use it as a solvent or intermediate, while organic chemists tap it for syntheses involving sulfur bridges. Its characteristic aroma lands it in flavor chemistry panels testing for volatility and off-notes. Gas chromatography colleges use it as a calibration reference. Engineers sometimes trial it in specialty lubricants or coatings, though handling requirements keep those uses pretty niche. Finding new market applications depends mostly on how folks balance product value with safety and environmental risk, since those two factors shape most chemical industry trends these days.
Current Research and Where Labs Focus
Across academic and applied labs, dipropyl sulfide sparks interest by how sulfur bridges affect molecule behavior. Researchers examine organosulfur pathways in flavor chemistry, probe its volatility under different temperature regimes, or look for potential as a precursor to functionalized sulfoxides or sulfones. Ongoing work compares its effects on human scent receptors and airsheds, a point of interest for environmental chemistry. Big questions persist around modeling, with computer simulations showing promise for predicting accidental release impacts or worker exposure levels. Academic journals host new reaction methods and the search goes on for routes to greener production, with an eye on solvent reduction and waste curtailment.
Toxicity: What’s Real and What Demands Caution
Lab techs and researchers deal with dipropyl sulfide’s toxicity head-on. Tests put acute oral LD50 values in rodents at a few hundred mg/kg. That level draws concern for misuse or accidental ingestion. Inhalation irritates airways and eyes, sometimes causing headaches or nausea, though chronic exposure studies remain scarce. Long-term effects haven’t gotten clear cut answers, although organosulfur compounds sometimes affect liver and kidney function over time. Frequent risk assessments shepherd usage, with PPE, ventilation, and storage practices at the center of safe lab life. Environmental scientists also track how it breaks down in soil and water, since sulfur cycling plays a bigger role in local ecosystem health than most folks realize.
What the Future Holds for Dipropyl Sulfide
From my perspective, dipropyl sulfide stands as a simple chemical with more impact than it gets credit for. Regulatory tightening on workplace exposure and environmental release will keep shaping how it’s made and used. Labs work on greener, lower-emission synthesis routes, hoping to keep product on the market while reducing footprint. Analytical chemistry leans toward refining detection limits, improving air monitoring, and offering smarter sensor tech for early warning. In the food and fragrance world, it might see fresh looks as consumer tastes shift toward authenticity, umami, and complexity of aroma. Ultimately, research communities in academia and industry find new wrinkles and uses, reminding everyone that organosulfur chemistry still leaves the door open for discovery, risk management, and smarter manufacturing.
Uncovering Dipropyl Sulfide’s Main Roles
Dipropyl sulfide doesn’t make headlines. It’s not flashy or a household name, but it’s tucked away behind plenty of products and processes. My path crossed with this chemical through food science research, giving me insight into how such compounds end up everywhere in daily routines. The truth is, the power of chemistry often shows up in ways you only notice after someone points it out.
Sparking Flavors in Food
Here’s where things get interesting. Dipropyl sulfide shines in the world of flavors. With a distinct, onion-garlic aroma, this chemical finds its way into seasonings and spice blends. Food scientists use it to build more authentic and complex savory notes in products that aim to mimic fried onions or roasted garlic, especially when using the real thing would be too expensive or would spoil. I learned about its role as a subtle game-changer during a collaboration with a culinary institute. Even a tiny sprinkle in a seasoning makes a big impact, so it’s handled with caution. That bold smell comes from sulfur, which Mother Nature packs into some of the most flavorful vegetables.
The Chemistry Bench: Industry and Research
Dipropyl sulfide works in labs, too. It serves as a solvent and a reference chemical for research. Organic chemists rely on it for synthesizing new molecules, often using its structure as a template or as a reagent. During a stint in synthetic chemistry, I saw just how vital it becomes for running tests to measure how quickly things break down or react. Because it reacts in ways that mimic natural sulfur compounds in the environment, researchers test its behavior to better understand air pollution and decay processes.
Safety and Environmental Concerns
Handling dipropyl sulfide calls for caution. Anyone who’s been in a lab knows that sulfur compounds can produce some harsh odors and aren’t pleasant to breathe. Spills make a mess and linger in the air. The chemical can irritate the eyes and skin, and, at higher concentrations, inhaling it could cause nausea or dizziness. Even beyond personal safety, the environment deserves attention. Factories and labs need to control emissions to stop this and similar compounds from entering waterways or the atmosphere. Regulations require proper storage and careful disposal. I’ve seen some misuse in less controlled environments, which makes training and oversight a must.
Balancing Benefits and Risks
Dipropyl sulfide offers plenty of benefits—richer flavors, reliable research data, and tools for creating new chemicals. Yet, every useful tool comes with a trade-off. Proper training, storage systems, and respect for regulations keep things running safely. Technology helps by offering more sensitive detectors, better ventilation, and safer alternatives in some applications. For people working with this substance or living near production sites, information and advocacy form the first line of defense against health problems.
Looking Forward
The story of dipropyl sulfide reflects the bigger picture in modern chemistry. Every compound, no matter how obscure, touches lives through products and processes running behind the scenes. Open conversations among industry workers, researchers, regulators, and communities will keep that balance between useful science and safe practice. Until then, the sharp scent of dipropyl sulfide in a lab or kitchen keeps reminding me that nature’s smallest building blocks play big roles.
What is Dipropyl Sulfide?
Scientists and folks who work with industrial chemicals recognize that names can get complicated fast. Some compounds have names that sound more like tongue-twisters than anything you'll ever find in a kitchen cupboard. Dipropyl sulfide isn’t quite there—straightforward as these things go. The chemical formula for dipropyl sulfide is C6H14S. That’s two propyl (three-carbon) groups attached to one sulfur atom. In plain language, you've got six carbons, fourteen hydrogens, and just one sulfur atom hanging out in the middle.
Why Bother With Sulfides?
Growing up around oil refineries, the smell from sulfur compounds like this stuck out. One whiff, and the lesson about chemical safety turns real. Dipropyl sulfide comes up in certain flavors and fragrances, but most people who deal with it cross paths through jobs in chemistry labs or factories. Safety data doesn’t treat it lightly—exposure brings real risks, from headaches to more serious trouble after long exposure. This is the kind of product that needs clear labeling and careful handling. Too many people assume a funny smell means a harmless dose, and that trip to the emergency room sets the record straight.
Where Does it Show Up?
I once spoke with flavor chemists who described the balancing act of adding the tiniest amounts of sulfur compounds to big batches of food aromas or industrial flavors. Used correctly, they can recreate bread crust or even richness in coffee. Dipropyl sulfide shows up in trace amounts during food processing or in the aftermath of manufacturing plants dealing with petroleum. It hasn’t got the notoriety of hydrogen sulfide (thank goodness), but it does pop up in both controlled and accidental releases.
What’s at Stake?
Public health matters every time chemical safety comes up. Sulfides like this one don't get much press, but mishandling can contaminate water, soil, or air. I came across an incident in a small city on the Gulf Coast where an unclear chemical leak sent workers and residents scrambling. Drill into the report, and you’ll see language calling for better training, clearer signs, and consistent use of safety equipment. Knowledge gaps—like not knowing the difference between dipropyl sulfide and other stinkier, more dangerous relatives—can lead to the kind of panic calls that derail a quiet shift at a local fire department.
Learning From Experience
The lessons aren’t new, but they bear repeating in industry and classrooms. Folks need plain information, not jargon. This means putting clear chemical names, formulas, and hazards on every tank, pipe, and bottle. On-the-job training should include how to read these formulas, understand the risks, and use the right gear. Emergency responders absolutely benefit from having straightforward guides—especially for less common but still risky chemicals like dipropyl sulfide. Environmental concerns stick around too, urging companies to double-check their containment and waste management processes.
Paths Toward Safer Use
Companies with strong safety cultures prevent most accidents by investing in regular training, hazard drills, and updating chemical inventories. Workers have to feel comfortable raising concerns before something leaks or spills, not after. Communication between labs, factories, and local emergency services makes any response quicker and more precise. Even regulators stay up late some nights thinking about the tiny chance of small leaks causing big headaches. It doesn't matter whether you're a newcomer on your first shift or a seasoned chemist—knowing the formula C6H14S means recognizing a chemical you treat with caution, not carelessness.
Digging Into What Dipropyl Sulfide Is
People usually run into dipropyl sulfide in places where flavor chemicals or industrial solvents get used. The stuff comes with a sharp smell, sort of like rotten cabbage. I remember the first time I picked up a bottle in a lab, and the whole place reeked until we double-bagged it. Chemists know the power of even a single drop. Industries in flavors and fragrances lean on it because it helps mimic meaty or onion notes in artificial seasonings and food aromas. Lab techs sometimes see it show up as a byproduct from other chemical processes, especially those involving sulfur.
How Dipropyl Sulfide Acts in Our Bodies
Breathing vapors or getting the chemical on your skin may trigger headaches, dizziness, or nausea. Some folks might compare its immediate effects to what happens after breathing gasoline or strong solvent fumes. Eye and skin irritation pop up quickly even after short contact. Anyone handling drums or bottles gets told to wear gloves and goggles because that smart layer of protection keeps headaches and burning sensations at bay. Safety data sheets warn of irritation, but also keep hinting at bigger risks for people exposed over time. The body breaks down the compound eventually, so occasional whiffs might just burn the nose instead of building up quietly and throwing up red flags later.
Weighing the Bigger Risks
Long-term studies are still thin on the ground. Animal testing tells us high doses over months might damage the liver or upset the nervous system—especially in rats. Researchers in toxicology admit human data hasn’t caught up, but they also urge caution for workers in food labs or chemical plants. I once heard from an old coworker about a spill that left him light-headed for a day. The effects didn't linger, but it sure made him wary around certain bottles on the shelf. Even without widespread chronic effects, enough evidence points at a need for vigilance.
Keeping People and Workplaces Safe
OSHA and NIOSH publish exposure limits for sulfur-containing chemicals because letting fumes hang in the air leads to incidents fast. Simple tips like proper ventilation and sealed storage cut dangers down. Many facilities have odor-detection alarms to snag leaks before they get worse. Wearing gloves, goggles, and masks creates a personal shield. Co-workers who check in on each other also give an added sense of security. Beyond the lab, home cooks and hobbyists rarely touch pure dipropyl sulfide, so their risk stays close to zero.
What Steps Make Sense From Here?
Door alarms and ventilation sometimes only work if companies train workers to use them well. I’ve seen teams rally around new safety drills and it makes a real difference in how people treat even seemingly minor spills. Manufacturers can replace dipropyl sulfide with safer aroma chemicals if demand rises for less-hazardous flavor additives. Researchers keep calling for deeper studies into chronic effects—truth is, the biggest gaps in knowledge sit around long-term low-level exposure, not the sharp and immediate symptoms. For now, sticking to tried-and-true protections and careful handling will look after most people at risk.
Understanding Dipropyl Sulfide and Its Risks
Dipropyl sulfide does not show up in many households, though those who work with chemicals in labs or certain industries know it has a strong, unpleasant odor. This liquid raises safety concerns, since it can irritate the eyes and skin, and its vapors cause headaches or nausea. The acute smell also signals a warning; leakages do not stay unnoticed for long. From my own years working near organic lab benches, familiarity with the sharp, garlic-like aroma of a sulfur compound quickly turns into respect for proper storage habits.
Keeping the Container Sealed and Secure
Anyone with experience in chemical storage gets told again and again—keep the cap tightly closed. This practice limits leaks, avoids strong fumes mixing in the air, and also stops water from finding its way in. Dipropyl sulfide reacts badly if exposed to moisture, and products can become contaminated. Most suppliers sell it in amber glass bottles or tightly sealed metal cans for that reason.
Choosing the Right Environment
Picking the right spot for dipropyl sulfide storage can make or break safe handling. You want a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area—no heat sources, no direct sunlight. Keeping it away from heaters or direct sunlight isn’t about paranoia, it’s about avoiding unwanted chemical reactions. Temperature swings lead to pressure build-up inside bottles or, in some cases, degrade the chemical.
Ventilation stands out as crucial: persistent sulfurous smells in closed rooms not only make work unpleasant, but hint at unsafe levels in the air. Fume hoods pull vapors away from faces and keep the general air cleaner. I learned quickly during university days that letting a sulfurous compound out in a poorly ventilated space earned glares from lab mates and, more importantly, created long-term exposure risks.
Preventing Incompatible Contact
Serious accidents happen when chemicals meet their enemies. Dipropyl sulfide has nothing friendly to do with oxidizing agents. If strong oxidizers like hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, or even bleach sit nearby, the risk for fire or toxic releases grows a lot. It helps to use clear physical segregation—different shelves, cabinets, or even entire rooms for different chemical families. I once watched a colleague accidentally splash a drop of an oxidizer into a sulfur compound, causing instant sparks and a lab evacuation. Respect for safe distances became a daily habit after that.
Labeling and Spill Preparedness
The old rule remains true: always label every container with full names and hazard information, not just codes or short names. In a stressful moment, clear information saves time and may prevent a disaster. Spills deserve more than paper towels. Any space storing irritating or malodorous liquids like dipropyl sulfide benefits from having sand, absorbent pads, and neutralizers on hand, along with gloves and goggles close by.
Legal and Ethical Responsibility
While workplace safety laws may set out clear minimums for chemical storage, everyone plays a role in doing better. Regular training sessions, up-to-date safety data sheets, and open communication help make sure no one overlooks safety for the sake of convenience. Respect for health—yours, and your coworkers’—comes before saving shelf space or skipping a safety step.
What Makes Dipropyl Sulfide Special?
Dipropyl sulfide draws attention in labs and industries because of its strong odor and distinct set of physical features. To anyone handling this compound, it quickly becomes obvious that it’s not your average liquid. The smell alone—a sharp, garlic-like note that clings to your hands and equipment—becomes a badge of experience for chemistry students and researchers alike. Among thioethers, this substance stands out for more than just its scent.
The Look and Feel
This chemical appears as a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid. Its molecular structure features two propyl groups linked by a sulfur atom, and this backbone keeps it in a liquid state at room temperature. At just above freezing—its melting point lands near -97°C—it flows easily. In the summer heat, Dipropyl sulfide doesn’t hang around for long on a surface. With a boiling point of about 138°C, it transitions to vapor surprisingly quickly under moderate heat.
How It Interacts With Its Surroundings
Dipropyl sulfide mixes poorly with water, swimming on the surface rather than dissolving in. Chemists sometimes use this trait to their advantage when separated mixtures need to be handled. In contrast, the compound merges readily into many organic solvents like ether or ethanol, so blending into complex chemical matrices comes easy. Its density hovers around 0.85 g/cm³, meaning it floats above water and demands proper containment when stored near sinks or drains.
Easily Ignited: Flammability and Safety Concerns
Safety isn’t just an afterthought. Dipropyl sulfide catches fire at temperatures above 33°C, lower than what many might expect for a liquid. Its vapor forms flammable mixtures in air, and in the presence of an ignition source, the risk of flash fires rises fast. From personal time working in synthesis labs, clear labeling, tight-fitting lids, and fire-resistant storage cabinets did more to instill confidence than any printed safety data sheet. Handling spills or leaks always involved maximum ventilation and quick containment—no exceptions.
Volatility: Why Odor Travels So Far
This liquid doesn’t need encouragement to evaporate. Thanks to moderate vapor pressure near 8 mmHg at 25°C, a small spill can fill a workspace with its unmistakable aroma in minutes. Colleagues are quick to offer reminders if you leave a drop exposed, as even tiny amounts in poorly ventilated spaces draw attention. Chemists learn that the best solution is careful pipetting and immediate cleanup. Ventilation systems must pull their weight, or air quality plummets fast.
Tackling the Downside: Solutions for Practical Use
Labs coping with Dipropyl sulfide need strict protocols. Double-gloving and splash goggles do more than protect your skin and eyes; they also control that lingering odor. Secure containers with vapor-tight seals cut down on fumes. Simple solutions, like dedicated waste bins and prompt disposal, help keep work areas comfortable. Fire suppression systems and regular training reinforce safety culture and prepare teams for the rare emergency. In my experience, these practical habits make the difference between a smooth workflow and an afternoon mired in distractions.
Reliable Data Matters
Experimental data, peer-reviewed reports, and regulatory safety documents all back up the traits described here. With resources from chemical safety agencies and leading journals, anyone curious can verify boiling points, solubility, and other data before heading to the lab bench. Careful planning keeps the risks low and the science strong.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | dipropylsulfane |
| Other names |
DPS
Di-n-propyl sulfide 1-(Propylthio)propane n-Propyl sulfide Thio(di-n-propyl) |
| Pronunciation | /daɪˈproʊpɪl ˈsʌlfaɪd/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 111-47-7 |
| Beilstein Reference | 1208960 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:35890 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL135787 |
| ChemSpider | 14305 |
| DrugBank | DB11225 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.006.135 |
| EC Number | 203-731-8 |
| Gmelin Reference | 8840 |
| KEGG | C14427 |
| MeSH | D003972 |
| PubChem CID | 11374 |
| RTECS number | UX8575000 |
| UNII | WRU4Q6NPI5 |
| UN number | UN2381 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C6H14S |
| Molar mass | 146.28 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | Unpleasant; cabbage-like |
| Density | 0.845 g/mL |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble |
| log P | 2.94 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.97 mmHg (at 25°C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | ~19.88 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 3.04 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -61.3·10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.444 |
| Viscosity | 0.84 mPa·s (25 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 0.56 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 275.6 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | –117.7 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -4277.6 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | D01AE25 |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS02,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H226, H302, H315, H319, H335, H400 |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P271, P301+P310, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P311, P312, P330, P337+P313, P370+P378, P403+P235, P405, P501 |
| Flash point | 79°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 215 °C |
| Explosive limits | Lower: 0.9%, Upper: 6.5% |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 oral rat 260 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): Oral rat LD50 = 3.3 g/kg |
| NIOSH | RQ9275000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL: 5 ppm (skin) |
| REL (Recommended) | 50 ppm |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | 300 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Dimethyl sulfide
Diethyl sulfide |
