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Mercaptan - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Mercaptan : \Mer*cap"tan\, n. [F., fr. NL. mercurius mercury _ L.
captans, p. pr. of captare to seize, v. intens. fr. capere.]
(Chem.)
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.
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