Ethanethiol

/ˌɛθeɪnˈθaɪɔl/ noun

Definition

A colorless liquid compound made of an ethane molecule with a thiol group (a sulfur and hydrogen atom), famous for its extremely foul smell.

Etymology

From ethane + thio- (sulfur) + -ol (hydroxyl-like functional group). Ethanethiol is the sulfur-containing analog of ethanol, replacing the oxygen with sulfur to create a thiol group.

Kelly Says

Ethanethiol is added to natural gas as an odor—natural gas itself is odorless, so this stinky chemical acts as a safety alarm to warn people of dangerous leaks before an explosion can happen!

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