Question

The chemical added to LPG to help detect its leakage is:
(A) Isobutene
(B) Ethylamine
(C) methyl mercaptan
(D) ethyl mercaptan

Answer 1

Hint:The chemical is basically added to LPG so that the leakages can easily be noticed which further can prevent fire explosions or any big tragedies.

Complete step by step answer:
Ethyl mercaptan which is the common name of ethanethiol is a clear liquid which has a distinct odor.
Ethyl mercaptan is an organosulfur compound with the formula $C{H_3}C{H_2}SH$ seeing the formula it is ethyl group attached with thiol group.
$\underbrace {C{H_3}C{H_2}}_{{\text{ethyl group}}}\,\,\,\underbrace {SH}_{{\text{thiol group}}}$
It is toxic but it is added to odorless gaseous products such as LPG to warn of gas leakages. As it is toxic, the amount of ethyl mercaptan added is quite less and for this amount it is not harmful.

Hence, the correct option is (D) .

Additional information:
The odor of ethanethiol is disagreeable that humans can detect in small minute concentrations. Its odor resembles that of leeks, onions. Ethanethiol is intentionally added to LPG to impart an easily noticed smell to prevent the threat of fire.
Moreover, it is also used in the under – ground mining industry where it is known as “stench gas”. The gas is released into mine ventilation systems to alert mine workers during an emergency.
It's now quite clear that ethyl mercaptan is added to LPG to detect the leakages.


Note:
Ethyl mercaptan is added to LPG to prevent the threats of fire. Ethanethiol, commonly known as ethyl mercaptan and stench, is a clear liquid with a distinct odor. It is an organosulfur compound.