Methanethiol
Also known as Methyl mercaptan, Methylmercaptan, Mercaptomethane
Key facts
What buyers check first
- Appearance
- Water-white liquid when below boiling point, or colorless gas
- Melting point
- -123 °C
- Boiling point
- 6 °C
- Density
- Relative density (water = 1): 0.9
- Flash point
- -17.8 °C
- HS code
- 293090
- Category
- Fungicides
- UN number
- UN 1064

What is Methanethiol?
Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms
Methanethiol is an alkanethiol. It has a role as a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite and a human metabolite.
Identifiers
Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy
- IUPAC name
- methanethiol
- CAS number
- 74-93-1 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 17719-48-1
- EC number
- 200-822-1
- Molecular formula
- CH4S
- UNII
- 2X8406WW9I
- InChIKey
- LSDPWZHWYPCBBB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- InChI
- InChI=1S/CH4S/c1-2/h2H,1H3
- SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
- CS
Synonyms
- Methyl mercaptan
- Methylmercaptan
- Mercaptomethane
- Thiomethanol
- Thiomethyl alcohol
- Methvtiolo
- Metilmercaptano
- Methylmercaptaan
- Mercaptan methylique
- Methaanthiol
- RCRA waste number U153
- methanethiolate
- Methyl sulfhydrate
- Methanthiol
- Thiomethane
- Methyl thioalcohol
- Methanethiole
- methyl-mercaptan
- MeSH
- UN 1064
- Methyl mercaptan (natural)
- RCRA waste no. U153
- methane thiol
- methyl sulfides
- methyl thiol
Show all 31 synonymsShow fewer synonyms
- methyl-thiol
- (methyl)sulfane
- Methylthioalcohol
- a methyl thioether
- sulfonium methylide
- Methanethiol, purum
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade
| Appearance | Water-white liquid when below boiling point, or colorless gasexp.Measured value |
|---|---|
| Odour | Odor of rotten cabbageexp.Measured value |
| Taste | Unpleasant cabbage tasteexp.Measured value |
| Melting point | -123 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Boiling point | 6 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Density | Relative density (water = 1): 0.9exp.Measured value |
| Flash point | -17.8 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Solubility | In water, 15,400 mg/L at 25 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Vapour pressure | 1,510 mm Hg at 25 °Cexp.Measured value |
Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.
Computed descriptors
Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation
| Molecular weight | 48.11 g/molcalc.Computed value |
|---|---|
| Exact mass | 48.0034 Dacalc.Computed value |
| LogP (octanol/water) | 0.55calc.Computed value |
| Topological polar surface area | 0 Ųcalc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond donors | 1calc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond acceptors | 1calc.Computed value |
| Rotatable bonds | 0calc.Computed value |
| Heavy atoms | 2calc.Computed value |
| Rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Aromatic rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Fraction sp3 carbons | 1calc.Computed value |
| Formal charge | 0calc.Computed value |
| Stereocentres | 0calc.Computed value |
| Lipinski rule of five | Passes (0 violations)calc.Computed value |
Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.
Safety and hazards
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet
Hazard statements
- H220Extremely flammable gas.
- H331Toxic if inhaled.
- H400Very toxic to aquatic life.
- H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements (17)
- P203Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- P222Do not allow contact with air.
- P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P273Avoid release to the environment.
- P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
- P377Leaking gas fire: do not extinguish, unless leak can be stopped safely.
- P381In case of leakage, eliminate all ignition sources.
- P391Collect spillage.
- P403Store in a well-ventilated place.
- P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
- P405Store locked up.
- P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
- UN number
- UN 1064
- Transport hazard class
- 2.3
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.
Full safety data and first aidMethanethiol suppliers
Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings
- GermanyUnclaimed profileMethanethiolGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- United StatesUnclaimed profileMethanethiolGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- ChinaUnclaimed profileMethanethiolGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- United StatesUnclaimed profileMethyl mercaptanGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- China ManufacturerUnclaimed profileMethyl mercaptanGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- China ManufacturerUnclaimed profileMethanethiolGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- India, Bengaluru ManufacturerUnclaimed profileMethanethiolGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- United States, The Woodlands ManufacturerUnclaimed profileMethyl MercaptanGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- United States, King Of Prussia ManufacturerUnclaimed profileMethanethiolGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- India, Navi Mumbai ManufacturerUnclaimed profileMethyl MercaptanGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.
Where suppliers are based
22 suppliers in 7 countries
- United States8
- China6
- India4
- Germany1
- France1
- United Kingdom1
- and 1 more countries
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Methanethiol price
Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers
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Uses and applications
What the substance is used for, by industry and function
Used to give odor to natural gas. Methyl mercaptan has been reported to no longer be acceptable as an odorant for natural gas, but still has found similar use in certain odorless and hazardous gases.
Table: Reported uses (ppm): (FEMA, 1994) [Table#2199].
Catalyst.
Intermediate in manufacture of jet fuels, pesticides, fungicides, plastics, synthesis of methionine.
Industrial uses: Intermediate, pH regulating agent.
Use classes: Volatile organic compounds.
Roles
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite
- animal metabolite
- eukaryotic metabolite
- fungal metabolite
- human metabolite
- mammalian metabolite
- metabolite
Functional uses
- Flavouring and nutrient
- Fragrance
How it is made
The reaction of hydrogen sulfide with alcohols is used mainly for industrial syntheses of low molecular mass thiols. Such reactions are carried out in the gas phase >300 °C, and generally require a catalyst. The thorium oxide once used for this purpose has now largely been replaced by basic catalysts on a carrier of basic aluminum oxide. These catalysts favor thiol formation, whereas disulfides are the main products in acidic medium. Promoters for thiol formation include a range of metal oxides, potassium and sodium tungstates, and heteropolyacids and their salts.
Read more
Thioethers and ethers may form as byproducts, along with olefins (except in the case of methanol). The method ... is used mainly for the industrial production of methanethiol.
Methyl mercaptan has been produced commercially via methanol condensation with hydrogen sulfide.
Prepared from sodium methyl sulfate and KHS (potassium hydrosulfide) ... catalytically from methanol and hydrogen sulfide, ... from methyl chloride and sodium hydrosulfide.
Regulatory status
Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance
Europe
- EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)Index no: 016-021-00-3
United States
- TSCA inventory (USA)Status: Active in US commerce, Regulatory flags: Section 4 test rule or order
HS code and trade data
Customs classification and reported world trade statistics
Global trade
World import and export statistics for the HS code Methanethiol is traded under.
Organo-sulphur compounds, other
- China40.7%
- United States10.9%
- Japan9.3%
- United States13.3%
- Brazil12.6%
- China6.6%
The HS code shown for Methanethiol is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Methanethiol, based on the data on this page
What is Methanethiol?
What is the CAS number of Methanethiol?
What is the molecular formula and weight of Methanethiol?
What is Methanethiol used for?
Is Methanethiol hazardous?
What is the HS code of Methanethiol?
Where can I buy Methanethiol?
Where can I buy Methanethiol in India?
What is the price of Methanethiol?
Guides for buyers
Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Methanethiol
- Guide, SafetyHow to read a safety data sheet in 10 minutesA section by section method to pull the essentials out of any 16 section SDS: identity, hazards, composition, storage, PPE, properties, transport and emergency measures.Read
- Guide, Trade and logisticsShipping dangerous goods: UN numbers, classes and packing groupsHow the UN dangerous goods system works for chemicals, from the nine classes and UN numbers to packing groups, UN packaging marks, labels, documents and segregation.Read
- Guide, SafetyGHS pictograms, signal words and hazard statements explainedA practical guide to the nine GHS pictograms, the signal words Danger and Warning, H and P statements, and how to read a chemical label in seconds.Read
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