mercaptan

[mer-kap-tan] /mərˈkæp tæn/
noun, Chemistry
1.
any of a class of sulfur-containing compounds having the type formula RSH, in which R represents a radical, and having an extremely offensive, garlicky odor.
Origin
1825-35; < Latin, short for phrase corpus mercurium captāns body capturing quicksilver
Examples from the web for mercaptan
  • mercaptan is an irritant that can cause respiratory problems, headaches, nausea and vomiting.
  • The intense heat also buckled the rail beneath the methyl mercaptan tank car.
  • Acute and subchronic toxicity studies of rats exposed to vapors of methyl mercaptan and other reduced sulfur compounds.
British Dictionary definitions for mercaptan

mercaptan

/mɜːˈkæptæn/
noun
1.
another name (not in technical usage) for thiol
Word Origin
C19: from German, from Medieval Latin mercurium captans, literally: seizing quicksilver
mercaptan in Medicine

mercaptan mer·cap·tan (mər-kāp'tān')
n.
Any of a class of organic compounds in which the oxygen of an alcohol has been replaced by sulfur and which have distinctive, often disagreeable, odors. Also called thiol.

mercaptan in Science
mercaptan
  (mər-kāp'tān')   
See thiol.
Encyclopedia Article for mercaptan

any of a class of organic chemical compounds similar to the alcohols and phenols but containing a sulfur atom in place of the oxygen atom. Thiols are among the odorous principles in the scent of skunks and of freshly chopped onions; their presence in petroleum and natural gas is objectionable because they have disagreeable odours, interfere with catalysts used in refining processes, and produce sulfur dioxide upon combustion.

Learn more about mercaptan with a free trial on Britannica.com