Synthetic equivalents of benzenethiol and benzyl mercaptan having faint smell: odor reducing effect of trialkylsilyl group

Syntheses and odor tests of the trialkylsilylated benzyl mercaptans and benzenethiols have revealed that the trimethylsilyl substituent on the benzene ring has a remarkable effect in reducing the foul smell of the parent benzyl mercaptan and benzenethiol. Protodesilylation allowed these silylated thiols to function as odorless synthetic equivalents of benzyl mercaptan and benzenethiol. This discovery will greatly improve the physical environment of the researcher working with these malodorous compounds.