Ethyl mercaptan, also known as ethanethiol, is an organosulfur compound, a clear toxic liquid with a distinct odor and was recognized as the world’s stinkiest substance in the 2000 Guinness Book of World Records. Its structure parallels that of ethanol, however, with sulfur in instead of oxygen. It occurs naturally as a minor component of petroleum, and may be added to otherwise odorless gaseous products such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to help warn of gas leaks.Insightful Information Of this Report: Click Here
Ethanethiol is prepared by the reaction of ethylene with hydrogen sulfide over a catalyst. Various producers of ethyle mercaptan use different catalysts in this process. It is also been prepared commercially by the reaction of ethanol with hydrogen sulfide gas over an acidic solid catalyst, such as alumina. Ethyl mercaptan is also used as a binder stabilizer. For instance, Chevron Phillips Chemical produced ethyl mercaptan, for use as an ink and dye additive that is an effective solvent in digital image processing.
Ethyl mercaptan has a strongly disagreeable odor that humans can detect in minute concentrations. The threshold for human detection is as low as one part in 2.8 billion parts of air. Ethyl mercaptan is intentionally added to butane and propane to impart an easily noticed smell to these normally odorless fuels that indicate as threat of fire, asphyxiation, and explosion.
Market Dynamics
Multiple applications of in various end-use industries is projected to boost demand for ethyl mercaptan over the forecast period. It is used as an intermediate and starting material in the manufacturing of plastic, insecticides, antioxidants, and as an odorant to serve as a warning property for natural gas.
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Key players operating in the global ethyl mercaptan market include Arkema S.A., DowDuPont Inc., and Chevron Phillips Chemical.