1-Butanethiol: Understanding Its Properties, Structure, and Safe Use

What is 1-Butanethiol?

1-Butanethiol forms part of a group of organosulfur compounds that show up in both the chemical industry and in a few everyday applications. Many folks recognize its sharp, pungent odor, and for good reason—this liquid packs a punch at even low concentrations in air. Chemists describe the formula as C₄H₁₀S, and you’ll see it out there as n-butyl mercaptan or 1-mercaptobutane. There’s no escaping the powerful aroma since it’s one of the strongest-smelling thiols around. That signature smell may bug most noses, but it’s useful: 1-Butanethiol acts as a warning agent in fuels, a building block for other chemicals, and a tool for teaching about hazardous substances.

Chemical Structure and Physical Properties

Looking at the molecular level, 1-Butanethiol is a straight-chain alkyl thiol where the sulfur atom links up with the end carbon in a four-carbon butane chain. The property that sets it apart comes from that thiol (–SH) group. The molecular formula, C₄H₁₀S, checks out with a molar mass of 90.19 g/mol. Its density sits at about 0.842 g/mL at 25°C, and you’ll find it as a colorless to light yellow liquid at room temperature. Unlike more familiar solids like salt, you’re not dealing with powder, flakes, crystals, or pearls here; this one stays liquid unless cooled well below standard lab temps. It doesn’t dissolve cleanly in water—hydrogen bonding doesn’t play nice with this molecule—but it mixes much more easily with organic solvents like ether or ethanol.

Product Specifications and Appearance

Chemical suppliers load up drums or bottles with this liquid, taking special care because just a tiny amount will tip off the nose. Industrial product details focus on purity, usually above 98%, and include typical contaminants like water or heavier sulfides. Professionals check for appearance, which should be clear and free of any solid particles or coloration. Handling tends to happen in well-ventilated spaces to dodge both the vapor and the quick-spreading odor. The HS Code for international shipping usually lines up with 2930.90, the code used for other organosulfur compounds. Detailed labels focus on both the aggressive scent and the need for careful storage away from heat or ignition sources, since its flash point measures around -10°C and the vapors burn easily.

Material Handling, Safety, and Hazards

Every time 1-Butanethiol arrives in a facility, chemical handlers gear up in gloves, eye protection, and proper ventilation. I remember the first time I cracked open a sample in an undergraduate lab. The entire building knew exactly what we’d messed up. This serves as a real teaching tool about odor thresholds and air quality, since most folks catch a whiff of it as low as 1 part per billion. The vapor irritates eyes, skin, and the respiratory system, so working in fume hoods becomes standard practice. Large spills don’t just create a mess—they trigger building evacuations and swift cleanup, since it’s both dangerous to breathe and flammable. The material’s harmful effects mean it gets locked away from incompatible chemicals like oxidizers, and empty containers aren’t simply tossed out. Anyone handing off this raw material in the supply chain must communicate the risks with robust Safety Data Sheets.

Uses and Value as a Raw Material

Despite its signature stench, 1-Butanethiol isn’t just a challenge for olfactory nerves; it ends up at the start of a lot of important chemistry. The raw material roots run deep through the production of pesticides, rubber additives, and other specialized organosulfur compounds. In petroleum refining, you’ll see it tagging along as a warning odor, which actually protects users from dangerous leaks. Beyond industry, the compound even helps demonstrate the need for air monitoring in educational settings. The fact that it looks like plain liquid and still creates so much impact on both health and industrial safety underlines the need for well-trained operators and strict controls. For researchers, the molecular structure offers insights into how thiols behave, react, and bond in both organic frameworks and catalytic systems. Every shipment, every use, every test run through a lab carries a reminder about the balance between utility and hazard in modern materials chemistry.