MOLECULE

Methyl mercaptan

Methyl mercaptan also known as Methanethiol, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as alkylthiols. These are organic compounds containing the thiol functional group linked to an alkyl chain. The chemical formula for methanethiol is CH3SH. Methyl Mercaptan is a very weakly acidic compound (based on its pKa). Methanethiol is a colorless gas that smells like rotten cabbage. It is a natural substance found in the blood, brain, and other tissues of humans and other animals. It is also one of the main chemicals responsible for bad breath and flatulence in humans. At very high concentrations methanethiol is highly toxic and affects the central nervous system. Methanethiol is a by-product produced by the metabolism of asparagus in 40-50% of people. The ability to detect the presence of methanethiol is also a genetic trait. Methyl mercaptan is responsible for a noticeable change in the odor of urine, as soon as a few hours after eating asparagus. Its acidity makes it reactive with dissolved metals in aqueous solutions. The environmental chemistry of these interactions in seawater or freshwater environments such as lakes has yet to be fully investigated. It has been isolated from higher plants, such as radish (Raphanus sativus). It is also present in orange juice, pineapple, strawberries, asparagus, wheat bread, gruyere cheese, hop oil, coffee, roasted filberts, cooked rice and other foods. Methyl mercaptan has also been reported to be a volatile component in cannabis samples (PMID: 26657499).