Applications

Thiophenol is an aromatic thiol compound, structurally similar to phenol, where the hydroxyl group (-OH) is replaced by a sulfhydryl group (-SH). Also known as phenyl mercaptan, thiophenol is a toxic, flammable liquid with a strong, unpleasant odor and a boiling point of 168°C. It is insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol and ether. Many chemical reactions of thiophenol are similar to those of phenol, with the key difference being that sulfur, compared to oxygen, is more readily oxidized to higher oxidation states. Thiophenols are stable in several oxidation states and can form thiophenolate anions by losing a sulfhydryl H+ ion. Thiophenol is used as a reagent in chemical preparations and in the production of benzothiazole through a ring-closure reaction of o-amino thiophenol. Additionally, thiophenol serves as an antinematodal agent.