Definition

A type of organic compound that contains sulfur and is characterized by the presence of a thiol group, often used in the production of various chemicals and as an odorant in natural gas.

Example

Ethyl mercaptan is added to natural gas to give it a distinct smell for safety reasons.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of mercaptan?

Yeah, it's that chemical that smells really bad, right?

Exactly! It’s used to give natural gas its odor.

I can’t believe they use something like mercaptan for that!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Mercaptan is formed from "mercurium" (meaning mercury) and "captare" (meaning to capture). The term refers to compounds that capture or bind sulfur to mercury, hence the name.

Memory Tip

Think of 'mercury' being 'captured' by sulfur in mercaptan, which helps you remember that these compounds are related to both elements.

Visually Confused Words