Methanedithiol

Methanedithiol
Names
	Preferred IUPAC name Methanedithiol
	Other names Dimercaptomethane
Identifiers
CAS Number	6725-64-0;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChemSpider	122421;
ECHA InfoCard	100.166.842
PubChem CID	138818;
UNII	LSC543N4PH;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID50217580 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/CH4S2/c2-1-3/h2-3H,1H2 Key: INBDPOJZYZJUDA-UHFFFAOYSA-N;
	SMILES SCS;
Properties
Chemical formula	CH4S2
Molar mass	80.16 g·mol−1
Appearance	Colorless liquid
Boiling point	58 °C (136 °F; 331 K)
Refractive index (nD)	1.581
Hazards
	GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H226
Precautionary statements	P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P280, P303+P361+P353, P370+P378, P403+P235, P501
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Methanedithiol is an organosulfur compound with the formula H₂C(SH)₂. A seldom used chemical, it form when formaldehyde reacts with hydrogen sulfide under pressure:

CH₂O + 2 H₂S → H₂C(SH)₂ + H₂O

This reaction competes with formation of trithiane:

3 H₂C(SH)₂ → [H₂CS]₃ + 3 H₂S

Methanedithiol forms a solid dibenzoate derivative upon treatment with benzoic anhydride:^[1]

3 H₂C(SH)₂ + 2 (C₆H₅CO)₂O → H₂C[SC(O)C₆H₅]₂ + 2 C₆H₅CO₂H

Methanetrithiol is also known.

References

^ Cairns, T. L.; Evans, G. L.; Larchar, A. W.; McKusick, B. C. (1952). "gem-Dithiols". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 74 (16): 3982–9. doi:10.1021/ja01136a004.