Alkanethiol

/ˌælkənˈθiːɑːl/ noun

Definition

An organic compound containing a hydrocarbon chain (alkane) with a thiol group (-SH) attached.

Etymology

From 'alkane' (saturated hydrocarbon) + 'thiol' (compound containing -SH group). This is technical chemical nomenclature combining two systematic names for molecular structure types.

Kelly Says

Alkanethiols are the smelly compounds that give skunks their defensive spray and garlic its pungent odor—chemists can literally read the molecular formula and predict whether something will stink!

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