3-Methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol

3-Methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
3-Methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
EC Number
  • 608-525-2
  • InChI=1S/C7H16OS/c1-3-4-7(2,9)5-6-8/h8-9H,3-6H2,1-2H3
    Key: PSALIMFZUGITJC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • CCCC(C)(CCO)S
Properties
C7H16OS
Molar mass 148.26 g·mol−1
1.482
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Stench
GHS labelling:[1]
Warning
H315, H319, H335
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

3-Methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol (3M3SH) is a primary alcohol that is hexan-1-ol which is substituted by a methyl group and a thiol group at position 3. It is the odor component of human axilla sweat and the major species at pH 7.3.[2]

The molecule was identified in 2004.[3] The odor may be described as "rotten onions or meat"[4] while its (R)/(S) enantiomers are described as "sweat and onion-like" for (S) and "fruity and grapefruit-like" for (R).[3] Some variation between enantiomer ratios may exist due to gender differences in skin micribiota composition and in precursor molecule production.[5]

Synthesis

Apocrine sweat glands produce an S-glutathione conjugate secreted via ABCC11 transporters into vesicles. The conjugate is converted into a S-Cys-Gly-3M3SH thiol before excretion through the gland to the skin.[6]

Bacteria found to create 3M3SH from human sweat include primarily Staphylococcus haemolyticus,[7] other Staphylococcus clade members such as Staphylococcus hominis,[8] and Corynebacterium xerosis,[9] though at a lesser extent compared to S. haemolyticus. In S. hominis, the bacterial cell imports the thiol precursor via a proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter (proton pump).[4] After intake of the thiol precursor, the strains metabolize it to produce 3-methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "SynQuest Labs, Inc". synquestlabs.com.
  2. ^ PubChem. "3-Methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  3. ^ a b Troccaz, Myriam; Starkenmann, Christian; Niclass, Yvan; van de Waal, Matthijs; Clark, Anthony J. (July 2004). "3-Methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol as a major descriptor for the human axilla-sweat odour profile". Chemistry & Biodiversity. 1 (7): 1022–1035. doi:10.1002/cbdv.200490077. ISSN 1612-1880. PMID 17191896.
  4. ^ a b Khanna, Kanika (2021-12-30). "Microbial Origins of Body Odor". American Society for Microbiology. Retrieved 2025-11-09.
  5. ^ Troccaz, Myriam; Borchard, Gerrit; Vuilleumier, Christine; Raviot-Derrien, Sophie; Niclass, Yvan; Beccucci, Sabine; Starkenmann, Christian (March 2009). "Gender-specific differences between the concentrations of nonvolatile (R)/(S)-3-methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-Ol and (R)/(S)-3-hydroxy-3-methyl-hexanoic acid odor precursors in axillary secretions". Chemical Senses. 34 (3): 203–210. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjn076. ISSN 1464-3553. PMID 19147808.
  6. ^ a b Stevens, Bruce R.; Roesch, Luiz F. W. (2024-11-14). "Interplay of human ABCC11 transporter gene variants with axillary skin microbiome functional genomics". Scientific Reports. 14 (1): 28037. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-78711-w. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 11564711.
  7. ^ Starkenmann, Christian; Niclass, Yvan; Troccaz, Myriam; Clark, Anthony J. (June 2005). "Identification of the precursor of (S)-3-methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol, the sulfury malodour of human axilla sweat". Chemistry & Biodiversity. 2 (6): 705–716. doi:10.1002/cbdv.200590048. ISSN 1612-1880. PMID 17192014.
  8. ^ Buguliskis, Jeffrey S. (2018-07-03). "Eww That Smell: Key Basis for BO Production Identified". GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News. Retrieved 2025-11-09.
  9. ^ Starkenmann, Christian; Niclass, Yvan; Troccaz, Myriam; Clark, Anthony J. (2005). "Identification of the Precursor of (S)-3-Methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol, the Sulfury Malodour of Human Axilla Sweat". Chemistry & Biodiversity. 2 (6): 705–716. doi:10.1002/cbdv.200590048. ISSN 1612-1880.