Substance profile
Ethanethiol
Ethanethiol is a colorless liquid with a leek-like odor.
01 · Identification
What Ethanethiol is
Ethanethiol is a colorless liquid with a leek-like odor. Its molecular formula is C2H6S and its molecular weight is 62.14 g/mol. It boils at 35.1 °C, melts at -148 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 4th degree.
Other names for Ethanethiol
- ethyl mercaptan
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H224 | Extremely flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P270, P271, P273, P301, P304, P310, P312, P330, P391, P403, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Ethanethiol properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 35.1 °C (95.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 30.46 °C (86.8 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 35 °C (95 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Melting point | -147.8 °C (-234 °F) | HSDB | |
| -144.44 °C (-228 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -147.78 °C (-234 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.84 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.826 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.8315 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, ether, petroleum naphtha | HSDB | |
| Soluble in acetone, dilute alkali | HSDB | ||
| In water, 15,603 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 442 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 529 mmHg | at 25 °C, Extrapolated | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -48.3 °C (-54.9 °F) | Closed cup | HSDB |
| -54 °C (-65.2 °F) | Closed cup | HSDB | |
| -48.33 °C (-55 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 298.9 °C (570 °F) | HSDB | |
| 300 °C (572 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 299 °C (570.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.8 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 18 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 2.14 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold | An odor threshold of 0.00076 ppm has been reported. | HSDB | |
| Minimum detectable concentration= 1 part in 50 billion parts of air. | HSDB | ||
| 0.0003 PPM | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 225.5 °C (437.9 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Ethanethiol
Storage conditions
Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants, strong acids. Cool.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Strong oxidizers [Note: Reacts violently with calcium hypochlorite].
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ETHYL MERCAPTAN reacts violently with calcium hypochlorite, May react vigorously with other oxidizing reagents. On contact with strong acids or when heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of sulfur oxides [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 1575].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ethanethiol in the storage compatibility matrix →