Thiophenol

Chemical properties

Colorless or pale yellowish mobile liquid. Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and oils.

Chemical properties

Phenyl mercaptan is a water white liquid. Repulsive, penetrating, rotten cabbage, garlic-like odor.

Chemical properties

Benzenethiol has a repulsive, penetrating, garlic-like odor.

Occurrence

Reported found in cooked/boiled beef.

The Uses of Thiophenol

Thiophenol is used as a mosquito larvicideand as an intermediate in organic synthesis.It is effective in reducing peroxide formationin jet fuels (Watkins et al. 1989).

The Uses of Thiophenol

Pharmaceutical synthesis.

The Uses of Thiophenol

In the production of pesticides, polymers, and pharmaceuticals; as a food additive

Definition

ChEBI: A thiol in which the sulfanyl group is attached to a phenyl group.

Preparation

By reduction of benzenesulfonyl chloride with zinc dust in sulfuric acid.

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 10 to 50 ppb

Synthesis Reference(s)

Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 35, p. 1770, 1987 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.35.1770
The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 16, p. 946, 1951 DOI: 10.1021/jo01146a019
Tetrahedron Letters, 21, p. 1677, 1980 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(00)77784-7

General Description

A clear liquid with a repulsive odor. Boiling point 168.3°C. Insoluble in water and denser than water. Very toxic by ingestion, skin absorption, and by inhalation. Used as a chemical intermediate and in mosquito control.

Air & Water Reactions

Flammable. Oxidizes upon exposure to air, especially when dissolved in alcoholic ammonia, to form diphenyl disulfide, C6H5SSC6H5 [Merck 11th ed. 1989]. Is supplied under an atmosphere of nitrogen. Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Thiophenol reacts with acids to generate toxic fumes of oxides of sulfur. [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 1021]. Reacts exothermically with strong oxidizing agents.

Hazard

Skin irritant.

Health Hazard

Marked potential for causing eye changes. May cause death

Health Hazard

Animal toxicity data show thiophenol to behighly toxic; the oral LD50 value in testanimals is <100 mg/kg. Its irritant actionon rabbits’ eyes and skin is severe. Thiophenol can enter the body by ingestion,absorption of the liquid through the skin,and inhalation of vapors. In humans, thetoxic symptoms include restlessness, incoordination, muscle weakness, headache, dizziness, cyanosis, lethargy, sedation, respiratorydepression, and coma. Death may result fromhigh doses. Repeated exposure to thiophenol vapors caused injury to the lung, liver,and kidneys in mice. Thiophenol did notadversely affect the growth, viability or morphological development of the offspring at adose of 40 mg/kg/day in rabbits (NTP 2005).
LC50 value, inhalation (mice): 28 ppm/4 h
LD50 value, oral (rats): 46 mg/kg
LD50 value, skin (rats): 300 mg/kg.

Fire Hazard

When heated to decomposition or on contact with acids, Thiophenol emits toxic fumes of sulfur oxides. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Container may explode in heat of fire. Vapor explosion and poison hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Unstable, oxidizes in air. Avoid contact with acids.

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, and intraperitoneal routes. A severe eye irritant. Can cause severe dermatitis. Exposure may cause headache and dminess. When heated to decomposition or on contact with acids it emits toxic fumes of SOx. See also MERCAPTANS

Potential Exposure

Phenyl mercaptan is used as a chemical intermediate in pesticide manufacture; as a mosquito larvicide. It is used in solvent formulations for the removal of polysulfide sealants.

Shipping

UN2337 Phenyl mercaptan, Hazard class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, 3-Flammable liquid, Inhalation zone B.

Incompatibilities

At normal room temperature may vaporize forming explosive mixture with air. Violent reaction with strong oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, calcium hypochlorite, alkali metals. Oxidizes on exposure to air; supplied under nitrogen.

Waste Disposal

Consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices. Generators of waste containing this contaminant (Consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices. Generators of waste containing this contaminant (≥100 kg/mo) must conform with EPA regulations governing storage, transportation, treatment, and waste disposal. Dissolve in flammable solvent and burn in furnace equipped with afterburner and alkaline scrubber. 100 kg/mo) must conform with EPA regulations governing storage, transportation, treatment, and waste disposal. Dissolve in flammable solvent and burn in furnace equipped with afterburner and alkaline scrubber.