5869. 2-Mercaptoethanol

Nomenclature

CAS number: 60-24-2
β-Mercaptoethanol; 2-hydroxy-1-ethanethiol; 2-hydroxyethyl mercaptan; monothioethyleneglycol; thioglycol.
C2H6OS; mol wt 78.13.
C 30.75%, H 7.74%, O 20.48%, S 41.04%.
SHCH2CH2OH.

Description and references

Prepn: Woodward, J. Chem. Soc. 1948, 1892; Peppel, Signaigo; Jones, US 2402665; US 3394192 (1946, 1968 both to du Pont). Properties: Bennett, J. Chem. Soc. 121, 2139 (1922). IR: Thompson, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 61, 1398 (1939). Toxicology: K. White et al., J. Pharm. Sci. 62, 237 (1973).

Properties

Liquid with very strong, disagreeable odor. bp742 157-158° (dec). d420 1.1143. nD20 1.4996. The pure liquid is miscible with water, alc, ether and benzene. LD50 in mice (mg/kg): 322.0 i.p.; 344.8 orally (White).

Caution

Irritating to eyes, nose and skin.

Use

In organic synthesis; as biochemical research tool.