Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A mercapto group consists of a sulfur atom bonded to a hydrogen atom (-SH), functioning as a substituent or side chain in organic compounds. It is the sulfur analogue of the hydroxyl group (-OH) found in alcohols.
Organic compounds containing a mercapto group, characterized by their strong and often unpleasant smell.
Disulfides: Chemical compounds formed by the linkage of two sulfur atoms from two mercapto groups, commonly found in proteins and contributing to their 3D structure.
An ether in which the oxygen atom is replaced by a sulfur atom, showcasing how variations in atomic components can lead to different types of compounds within organic chemistry