Re: Andy--Sulfite Question, Thiols, Gene 2D6

[Guest guest]

> > OK, I need a chemist! (Is there one on this list? lol) DH just

> > asked me if there's any mercury in DMSA. He's wondering because

the

> > chemical name of DMSA is Meso-2,3-dimercapto succinic acid.

> Mercapto

> > does refer to mercury, yes?

>

> Mercapto does NOT refer to mercury. it refers to thiols, a sulfur

> with a hydrogen stuck on it that is attached to the molecule. Thiols

> are the sulfur equivalent of alcohols. Ethyl alcohol is in whisky,

> ethyl thiol is in natural gas as the odorant. It is more commonly

> called ethyl mercaptan. Thiols smell REALLY BAD. Essence of skunk is

> butyl mercaptan. Mercaptan as in Mercapto. Thus, dimercapto means

> there are 2 -SH groups in DMSA, and also lets you know to expect it

> not to smell very good.

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> Andy

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