Methanedithiol is an

organosulfur compound Organosulfur compounds are organic compounds that contain sulfur. They are often associated with foul odors, but many of the sweetest compounds known are organosulfur derivatives, e.g., saccharin. Nature abounds with organosulfur compounds—sulf ...

with the formula H₂C(SH)₂. It forms when

formaldehyde Formaldehyde ( , ) ( systematic name methanal) is a naturally occurring organic compound with the formula and structure . The pure compound is a pungent, colourless gas that polymerises spontaneously into paraformaldehyde (refer to section ...

is treated with

hydrogen sulfide Hydrogen sulfide is a chemical compound with the formula . It is a colorless chalcogen-hydride gas, and is poisonous, corrosive, and flammable, with trace amounts in ambient atmosphere having a characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs. The und ...

under pressure. The reaction competes with formation of trithiane. The compound forms a solid dibenzoate upon treatment with benzoic anhydride.{{cite journal, title=gem-Dithiols, authors=Cairns, T. L.; Evans, G. L.; Larchar, A. W.; McKusick, B. C., journal=Journal of the American Chemical Society, year=1952, volume=74, issue=16, pages=3982–9, doi=10.1021/ja01136a004

References

Thiols Functional groups Organosulfur compounds Foul-smelling chemicals