What Are the Characteristic Reactions of Thiols

By comparison, the boiling point of ethanethiol is 35 °C, and that of its constitutional isomer dimethyl sulfide is 37 °C  

The fact that the boiling points of these constitutional isomers are almost identical indicates that little or no association by hydrogen bonding occurs between thiol molecules. 

In this section, we discuss the acidity of thiols and their reaction with strong bases, such as sodium hydroxide, and with molecular oxygen. 

Hydrogen sulfide is a stronger acid than water  

Similarly, thiols are stronger acids than alcohols. Compare, for example, the pA s of ethanol and ethanethiol in dilute aqueous solution  

---