Mercaptan - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition mercaptan

Definition :

Any one of series of compounds having an SH radical attached to a carbon atom also considered as hydrosulphides of alcohol radicals in composition resembling the alcohols but containing sulphur in place of oxygen and hence called also the sulphur alcohols In general they are colorless liquids having a strong repulsive garlic odor The name is specifically applied to ethyl mercaptan C2H5SH So called from its avidity for mercury and other metals