Thiophene-2-thiol brings together a rare combination of aromatic sulfur chemistry and modest volatility. This raw material belongs to the thiophene family. Its chemical structure sports a five-membered ring containing four carbon atoms and a sulfur atom, topped off with a thiol group attached at the second position. The molecular formula comes out as C4H4S·SH, which spells out a practical arrangement for both organic synthesis and material science. Anyone familiar with sulfur-based organics recognizes the signature odor—a strong, sharp scent that sticks, reminiscent of other thiol compounds, pointing straight to its high reactivity. Across the globe, traders and manufacturers will tag this material under HS Code 2934200090, which flags it as part of a class known for both laboratory innovation and occasional handling headaches.
Thiophene-2-thiol doesn't play coy about its appearance. It stands out as a yellowish to light brown liquid, fairly mobile at room temperature. Sometimes, a batch will show up with a faint crystal sheen or even as a low-melting solid in cool storage, which reminds you how temperature-sensitive sulfur thiols can be. The density sits at about 1.18 g/cm³, a touch heavier compared to common alcohols or ethers but standard for sulfur aromatics. Boiling occurs near 189°C, and the material’s solubility leans on the polar side. It mixes reasonably well with organic solvents like ethanol, diethyl ether, and chloroform, but it doesn’t care much for water. Molecular weight lands at 116.21 g/mol, a small size that makes for quick reactions. The color, scent, and texture make identification straightforward for someone who’s ever worked among thiols, though their power to linger on surfaces can turn even a short handling job tedious.
Focusing on the chemistry, thiophene-2-thiol’s ring anchors both the aromatic stability and the sulfur atom’s ability to activate useful reactions. The thiol group at position 2 opens up the sulfur atom for future modifications, including disulfide formation, substitutions, or metal coordination. Its chemical layout favors nucleophilic attack, and material scientists count on this compound for building more elaborate molecules. With such a reactive design, research teams can push synthesis down paths that rely on sulfur insertion or aromatic substitutions—linkages impossible without a handy thiol group locked to an aromatic ring. The arrangement means the electron cloud hovers just right so reactions take off at room temperature, fueling applications across pharmaceuticals, electronics, and materials engineering.
Reputable suppliers specify purity at 98% or higher, measured with chromatography and spectrometric tools to guarantee consistent results in the lab or plant. Packages may include amber glass bottles, steel drums, or PTFE-lined containers, depending on order size and end use. Handling more than a few liters at a time forces careful storage—always a cool, dry place, shielded from sunlight and heat sources. Liquid forms need tight seals and sometimes nitrogen blanketing, especially for large-volume storage to keep decomposition in check. Smaller samples sometimes crystallize out in colder climates, but warming gently returns them to active liquid form without breaking bonds or building up decomposition products. Most countries call for classified storage, flagging this as a hazardous chemical under GHS, due to both flammability and its tendency to irritate skin and mucous membranes. Each container travels with its unique set of warning labels, especially if shipping across customs borders—no room for error when a batch holds volatile organosulfur compounds.
Thiophene-2-thiol makes the rounds mostly in chemical synthesis. Pharmaceutical researchers put it to work as a building block for heterocyclic scaffolds; agrochemical developers lean on its sulfur functionality to start new pesticide or fungicide structures. Electronics firms sometimes recruit thiophene derivatives for conductive polymers or organic semiconductors, chasing flexible screens and thin film transistors. The material earns its keep as a raw material for flavor and fragrance intermediates, despite the pungent odor—chemists tweak the structure just enough to mellow it out for finished goods. Quality and consistency stay top of mind, because downstream reactions can turn unreliable without careful control of impurities or moisture. Routine suppliers cluster in China, India, and Europe, with specialty producers pushing out high-purity versions for demanding electronic or pharmaceutical routes.
No denying the hazards—skin and respiratory irritation, acute toxicity, and strong odor all sit front and center. High vapor pressure at room temperature lets it escape from open containers, stinging eyes and throats in confined spaces. Direct contact on skin leaves a sticky, lingering smell and can cause redness or blistering after prolonged exposure. Inhalation above limit values means headaches and nausea, so fume hoods become standard in any workspace. The substance catches fire readily, making static-free gear and spark-proof tools mandatory. Waste and cleanup steps need contained vessels and professional disposal, both to protect handling staff and to prevent sulfur pollution in the environment. Long experience shows that personal protective equipment—gloves, goggles, fitted respirators—works best for small samples; large scale processes go further, using sealed lines and remote-controlled valves so workers avoid direct contact as much as possible.
Workplaces get safer when proper monitoring joins clear labeling and airtight storage. Companies serious about health keep spill kits handy and train staff in chemical hygiene. Scrutinizing supplier documentation and batch analyses keeps unexpected contaminants out of high-stakes synthesis. For anyone seeking milder conditions or a less pungent experience, some newer synthetic routes swap thiophene-2-thiol for masked thiol sources or even fully protected intermediates, which lower exposure but call for extra deprotection steps later. Investing in enclosed reactor systems or automating weigh-out and transfer cuts down risks further, especially for commercial-scale manufacturing. Air monitoring and regular ventilation updates keep labs fresh and safe, while strict shipping regulations help prevent mixups en route from plant to customer. Responsible users stay up-to-date with regulatory shifts and safety literature, passing that knowledge on through training and robust standard operating procedures.
