Question

_______ is added to LPG to detect leakage.
(A) Propene
(B) Hexanol
(C) Isobutene
(D) Mercaptan

Answer 1

Hint: It is an organic gas of carbon, sulphur and hydrogen. It has a stink of rotten cabbages or smelly socks. It is found in the human body as a waste product of metabolism. It is also known as methanethiol. The chemical formula of the thiol group is \[-SH\].

Complete step by step answer:
- Mercaptan, also known as methanethiol (\[C{{H}_{3}}-SH\]) is added to LPG to detect leakage. It is a flammable and colourless gas.
- It emits toxic fumes and flammable vapours on heating.
- LPG is mainly composed of butane and propane and those are odourless.
- As we know that LPG is dangerous, if it leaks, it will cause fire and explosion.
- In that case, the natural gas mercaptan with the rotten smell of sulphur is added to the gas. - The smell helps to detect mere leakage of LPG which prevents any accident.
- It is an ideal gas to be added to odourless and flammable gases.
Structure of mercaptan:







- It is a weak acid and tetrahedral in shape with carbon.
- It is used extensively in industries because it can be detected by the crowd even in small quantities.
So, the correct option is D.
Note: Mercaptan causes irritation when comes in contact with moist tissues like skin, eyes and nose. It creates problems like dizziness, nausea, vomiting, coma and even death. So it is toxic and should not be inhaled for a long time. It is also called “stenching gas” for its smell.