1,2-Ethanedithiol

Chemical properties

Clear colorless solid

Chemical properties

1,2-Ethanedithiol has a repulsive odor.

Occurrence

Reported found in beef (boiled, cooked) and chicken (cooked)

The Uses of 1,2-Ethanedithiol

1,2-Ethanedithiol is used as a reagent in organic synthesis to convert carbonyl compounds to thioacetals (1,3-dithiolanes). It replaces the toxic reagent arsenic tirchloride, which is involved in the synthesis of membrane-permeant fluorogenic biarsenicals from precursor dyes fluorescein and resorufin. It acts bidendate ligand to form complexes with metal ions.

The Uses of 1,2-Ethanedithiol

Metal-complexing agent. Reverses the inhibition by α-keto aldehydes on mitosis in E. coli.

What are the applications of Application

1,2-Ethanedithiol is a metal complexing agent

Preparation

Prepared by reacting ethanol, thiourea and ethylene dibromide and subsequent alkaline hydrolysis of the ethylenediisothiuronium bromide

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 30 ppb

General Description

1,2-Ethanedithiol (1,2-Dimercaptoethane, Dithioglycol, Ethylene mercaptan) is an organo sulfur compound. It affords monomeric, dimeric and polymeric complexes on reaction with Pt(PPh₃)₄, Pd(PPh₃)₄ and Ni(PPh₃)₄. It has been synthesized by refluxing 1,2-dichloroethane with thiourea in ethanol.

Hazard

Vapors cause severe headache and nausea.

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion, intraperitoneal, and intravenous routes. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of SOx. See also MERCAPTANS .