mercaptan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Technical/Scientific)Technical/Scientific, Industrial
Quick answer
What does “mercaptan” mean?
An organic compound containing a sulfur-hydrogen (SH) group.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An organic compound containing a sulfur-hydrogen (SH) group; a thiol.
Specifically refers to any of a class of sulfur-containing organic compounds with a distinctive, often foul odor. They are added to odorless natural gas and propane to provide a detectable smell for safety.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Pronunciation may vary slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Strongly associated with industrial processes, safety, and foul smells (e.g., 'skunk spray', 'rotten cabbage').
Frequency
Equally rare in general discourse in both regions. Used almost exclusively in technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “mercaptan” in a Sentence
The gas contains a [small amount] of mercaptan.[Methyl] mercaptan is the primary odorant.Engineers added mercaptan to the [propane].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mercaptan” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The distinct whiff of mercaptan is added for leak detection.
- The lab was synthesising several novel mercaptans.
American English
- The mercaptan in the propane gives it that rotten egg smell.
- Regulations require the injection of mercaptan into natural gas lines.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in industrial procurement or safety compliance reports.
Academic
Common in chemistry, chemical engineering, and environmental science textbooks and papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A person might encounter it in a safety leaflet about gas.
Technical
The primary register. Used in specifications, safety data sheets, lab reports, and industrial process descriptions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mercaptan”
- Pronouncing it as 'mer-KAP-tan' (stress is on the second syllable).
- Using it as a countable noun for a single molecule ('a mercaptan' is acceptable in chemistry, but often used uncountably for the additive).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the tiny concentrations used as an odorant, it is not toxic. However, some mercaptans at high concentrations can be harmful. The smell is a warning for the dangerous, flammable gas it is added to.
The human nose is extremely sensitive to certain sulfur-containing compounds like mercaptans, an evolutionary trait to detect spoiled food (which releases similar compounds).
They are synonyms. 'Thiol' is the formal IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) name, while 'mercaptan' is an older, common term derived from Latin 'mercurium captans' (capturing mercury), reflecting an old chemical property.
Yes. Certain plants and animals produce mercaptans. For example, methyl mercaptan is a component of the smell of skunk spray and some cheeses.
An organic compound containing a sulfur-hydrogen (SH) group.
Mercaptan is usually technical/scientific, industrial in register.
Mercaptan: in British English it is pronounced /məˈkæp.tæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɚˈkæp.tæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As smelly as a mercaptan leak”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MERchant CAPTuring a TANk of gas that smells awful because it contains mercaptan.
Conceptual Metaphor
SAFETY IS A SMELL (Mercaptans are the 'stench of safety' for fuel gases).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of adding mercaptans to fuel gases like propane?