Lexic.us

Definition of Mercaptan

1. n. Any one of series of compounds, 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.

Definition of Mercaptan

1. Noun. (chemistry) A class of organic compounds of sulphur, ( R₁.S.R₂ ); they tend to be foul-smelling. When R₂ is a hydrogen atom, they are termed thiols or thioalcohols. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Mercaptan

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Mercaptan

1. Any one of series of compounds, 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 colourless liquids having a strong, repulsive, garlic odour. The name is specifically applied to ethyl mercaptan, C2H5SH. So called from its avidity for mercury, and other metals. Origin: F, fr. NL. Mercurius mercury + L. Captans, p. Pr. Of captare to seize, v. Intens. Fr. Capere. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Mercaptan

Literary usage of Mercaptan

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Compendium of the Course of Chemical Instruction in the Medical Department by Robert Hare (1836)
"It appears to me that there is this analogy between mercaptan, alcohol, ... When mercaptan reacts with a metallic oxide, one atom of its hydrogen forms ..."

2. Hand-book of Chemistry by Leopold Gmelin, Henry Watts (1853)
"may be freed from the last portions of mercaptan by agitation with water and oxide of lead, and from water by rectification over chloride of calcium. ..."

3. A Text-book of the Physiological Chemistry of the Animal Body: Including an by Arthur Gamgee (1893)
"ON METHYL-mercaptan AS A PRODUCT OF THE PUTREFACTION OF ALBUMINOUS SUBSTANCES AND AS A GASEOUS CONSTITUENT OF THE LARGE INTESTINE. ..."

4. An Introduction to the Study of the Compounds of Carbon; Or, Organic Chemistry by Ira Remsen (1910)
"Ethyl-mercaptan, C,H--SH- — This substance can be prepared by treating iodo-ethane, ... mercaptan was given to it on account of its action towards mercury. ..."

5. Lecture Notes for Chemical Students by Edward Frankland (1881)
"Molecular volume iI 1- 1 litre of mercaptan vapour weighs 31 ... By the action of potassium and sodium on mercaptan, an atom of hydrogen is displaced by the ..."

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