betamechaptoethanol smell [closed]








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I am doing my masters in science and today one of our neighbors from the other lab came to heat his samples on a heating pad. the samples were in small tubes which contained Betamechaptoethanol, when he finished heating them, the tube cab suddenly opened because of the temperature. Our lab smelled extremely bad even though I was wearing a mask and lab coat. when I got home I could still smell the betamechaptoethanol. I am so worried about it because my clothes even smell like it. Is the smell toxic? I put my clothes in the basement and still can smell it.




Some sulfur organic compounds have rather a *strong* odor. For your delectation, may I suggest [reading Derek Lowe](https://www.science.org/content/blog-post/things-i-won-t-work-thioacetone) on the not dissimilar compound, thioacetone. For further documentation, [see Grayson Van Beuren](https://public.paratext.com/customer/blog/article.php?id=210).


Perhaps your laboratory neighbor so enjoyed working with [beta mercaptoethanol (AKA 2-Mercaptoethanol)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-Mercaptoethanol) he wished to share the pleasure. However, "Due to its diminished vapor pressure, its odor, while unpleasant, is less objectionable than related thiols." On the other hand, he *did* warm it, all the better to increase vapor pressure and to help you appreaciate it.


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